Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2010 20:10:02 -0500
Reply-To: Jeff Palmer <jpalmer@MTS.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jeff Palmer <jpalmer@MTS.NET>
Subject: Re: squished gas tank?
In-Reply-To: <081101cb12a0$0761fa40$6401a8c0@PROSPERITY>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Thanks to everyone who responded. Sorry if I wasn't clear. My mileage (MPG) hasn't decreased, but the amount i can travel on one tank seems to have (although I haven't run it dry - just let it get to the usual low point in the Reserve). Just for kicks i'm going to run it dry this weekend.
So since it never reads full, and i have no reason to believe the tank is squished, i wonder if it's a ground issue or the voltage stabilizer issue. I believe the VR also affects the temp gauge as well?
I will get on my hands and knees on the weekend to look. I am ashamed for being so lazy but between work and kid I haven't had time to look. And i couldn't wait to ask!
Thanks again
Jeff
85 Westfalia (2wd)
On 2010-06-23, at 1:47 AM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
> to the original poster...
> re
> So when filling my tank the gauge never reads "Full" anymore, and
>> I'm getting about 15% worse mileage. Does that sound consistent
>> with others who've had their tank squished when up on the lift?
>
> if the tank was squished in from the bottom,
> the fuel level sender float would still be able to max out at the top of the
> tank..
> giving a reading of 'full.' ..unless it's stuck somehow.
>
> fuel capacity isn't related to fuel mileage,
> unless you mean you used to go X miles on a tank and now you go 15 % fewer
> miles on a tank. ..
> that would be consistent with squished tank, but otherwise being squished on
> the bottom shouldn't affect fuel mileage, like miles per gallon.
>
> I would test the fuel gauge by finding that wire where it enters the
> instrument cluster at plug T14 and ground that wire, ( like you removed it
> from the level sender and grounded it that way ) then turn on the key
> .....that should make the needle swing to very full, in a few seconds.
> Normally you'd do that test at the sender, but that's hard to do ....2WD I'm
> guessing.
>
> I would also think about the little voltage stabilizer gizmo on the back of
> the instrument cluster...
> any time there is gauge weirdness, you consider that part - they go bad.
> And ground connections always, of course.
> Scott
> www.turbovans.com
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "BenT Syncro" <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 8:47 PM
> Subject: Re: squished gas tank?
>
>
>> Depends on the size of the squish. The squish on my 2wd Doka took away
>> 25% of the total capacity.
>>
>>
>> BenT
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jun 22, 2010, at 8:12 PM, Jeff Palmer <jpalmer@MTS.NET> wrote:
>>
>>> So when filling my tank the gauge never reads "Full" anymore, and
>>> I'm getting about 15% worse mileage. Does that sound consistent
>>> with others who've had their tank squished when up on the lift?
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>> Jeff
>>> 85 Westfalia GL
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