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Fuel Gauge problem

Jim_Newman

Jedi Hopeful
Offline
Hello all.
So, I got a new tank and sending unit from Moss and a rebuilt gauge from Nissonger. Installed everything and the gauge works fine - when the car is not accelarating or braking. It would seem to be responding to gas sloshing in the tank. Does anyone out there have this problem? I would have thought there is some damping mechanism in the gauge or the sending unit to prevent this. Or baffles in the tank?
As always, any advice greatly appreciated.
Cheers
 
So I solved that problem by cutting an inch and half circle out of cardboard and taping it over the gauge. Now I don't see the needle jumping all over the place. Every once in awhile I pull off the cardboard when the car is stopped to read the gauge. Ok, just kidding, but all the gauges seem to do it on the LBC's.
 
"Modern" fuel gauges work by using a heated coil that responds very slowly to any change in level. That's why they don't move around. These "older" designs use a magnetic field like a regular voltmeter, so there's no damping.

Zims sells a dampening device for old Porsche fuel gauges. I have no idea if they work on LBCs.
 
And don't trust the guage reading unless you know the car really really well. There are quite a few guys over this side of the pond who use a calibrated dip stick to check. I never go below a quarter full on the guage if I can help it.

:cheers:

Bob
 
Like Bob said above, I keep a small wooden stick with marks for full,etc marked on it as my back up. Everyone always gets a kick out of it at various car shows when I tell them what it is for!
Regards,
Mike
 
I actually sealed it so in theory does not absorb any gas but not a heavy seal or could not see a level mark on it. Have used a piece of 1/2 inch copper pipe painted with flat black paint and that works too but that went with my MG TC when sold it years ago. Hate to say it but with the fuel filler pipe and original fuel cap inside a closed trunk as on a BN2, fuel smells are part of the British charm !
Just don't light a match to look for something in the dark !!!!
Regards,
Mike
 
bighealeysource said:
fuel smells are part of the British charm !
Just don't light a match to look for something in the dark !!!!
Regards,
Mike

I'm with Mike on that one, the old rubber connection between down tube and tank gets cracked with age and nicely absorbes the fuel as you fill up. It then gently perfumes the boot (trunk) equally nicely. However, I find that it soon goes and all is well again, just do not leave your wife's cardigan in there!

I have yet to change my rubber connection which I will do later in the year when I remove the tank to repair the floor under.

Regarding sealing the dip stick, I can not be sure on that one, they do look coloured up a little but that may be the nature of the wood. They are not in the juice long enough to get a good soaking but I suppose that it mounts up over the years!

:cheers:

Bob
 
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