Inaccurate Fuel Gauge - Solved!

[CraigR]

I thought I might document this in case anyone else has the same issue. Symptoms for me were fuel gauge never showing full, first 1/4 tank would appear to be gone within 30-50km, first half of the tank would appear to be used too quickly, range ~400km.

Since purchasing the Golf 6 months ago, and many full tanks later, the fuel gauge would never quite hit full after filling up. Call me whatever, but things like this really irritate me. Range would only show ~400kms. I would usually get ~500 out of a full tank.



The fuel level sender located under the rear bench seat, passenger side was replaced (not a cheap fix at almost 300 for the part), filled up with 98 till the first click and voila! Range now shows 500+kms and seems to be behaving - after 25kms, it is just getting to the first notch. After refuelling...

[Lucas_R]

I used to notice a similar thing with my 2011 MK6 Golf R - although it would appear full on the gauge, the level would begin to drop within about 5-10mins of driving and the first 1/3 of a tank went down really quickly. I never thought of replacing parts but i must admit is was always something that irritated me, even though i rarely drove the car so normally only put $30 a week in it rather than fill the tank all the time.

My current car, a 2010 Mk6 GTI, does not show this same behavior thankfully - gauge shows full when you top it up and stays on full for around 80km before it starts to move.

[Mysticality]

Thats really interesting - my Octavia vRS TDI (FWD) goes for 150km of spirited driving before the needle even moves - I've even seen it show as high as 220km!
Maybe thats a difference in tank shape in FWD vs AWD?

[Lucas_R]

^ TDI life

[CraigR]

From what I've been told, there is a sender on each side of the fuel tank, one does 1/1 to 1/2 and the other does 1/2 to empty. It would make sense to me as 1/2 to empty seemed to be okay.

[Lucas_R]

From what I've been told, there is a sender on each side of the fuel tank, one does 1/1 to 1/2 and the other does 1/2 to empty. It would make sense to me as 1/2 to empty seemed to be okay.

Good info - interesting.

On a side note - got any links to your old Mirage VR-X turbo? I used to have a Mirage back in the day and always wanted to put the 1.6L MIVEC engine in it....never got around to it though.

[h100vw]

From what I've been told, there is a sender on each side of the fuel tank, one does 1/1 to 1/2 and the other does 1/2 to empty. It would make sense to me as 1/2 to empty seemed to be okay.

I don't believe this is the case. I expect that the two readings are summed to give the reading.

A similar set up in my old S3 which would run dry indicating 1/4 tank.

The car doesn't empty one side of the tank first.

Gavin

[CraigR]

Good info - interesting.

On a side note - got any links to your old Mirage VR-X turbo? I used to have a Mirage back in the day and always wanted to put the 1.6L MIVEC engine in it....never got around to it though.

That is what I really wanted to do, but that engine is so hard to locate, especially as a front cut. The CM5A was available so went with that instead.

I started a thread on AusLancer a while back. Not sure if you'd be on there but you have to be a member to read ride threads.
Link -> Error | AusLancer

Couple of pics in case you can't get on there...

[CraigR]

I don't believe this is the case. I expect that the two readings are summed to give the reading.

A similar set up in my old S3 which would run dry indicating 1/4 tank.

The car doesn't empty one side of the tank first.

Gavin

Ahh maybe I didn't explain clearly, but the senders may be at different heights in the tank.

[Lucas_R]

Thanks for the pics of the Mirage - it looks good. Nice clean mods and engine conversion too. Was a fun little car, even with the 1.8L sohc (Lancer GLXi engine) it would have been great, or the 1.8L DOHC engine from the Proton Satria GTI....the old girl just needed a bit more power.