Help Please with fuel guage problem!!

[andy_burnton]

Hi,
I have a Wreg C180 petrol estate which has been running like a dream since I purchased it.

A fortnight ago I let the fuel go down lower than normal (I normally fill her up when the guage gets to quarter full) before refilling. When I started the fuel guage showed empty. While driving the warning light came on now and again.

Next day the guage was working normally again.

Yesterday, I filled up again and once more the guage shows empty.

Can anyone point me in the right direction to fix this ?

Cheers,

Andy

 

[wireman]

Sticky fuel sender or perhaps gauge needle. As time takes its toll some slop finds its way into the senders spindle this is common on many cars not just mercs.

It would be best to replace the sender assembly, but if you take it out it may be possible (if you are the handy type) to mend it or at least improve the thing.

Inside the sender is a rheostat/variable resistor for the guage and a contact for the low level lamp. Take care not to cause any sparks near the tank while the sender hole is open.

 

[Xtractorfan]

You could try adding some injector cleaner to the tank, it may just need cleaning..

 

[Alex M Grieve]

I had this with a W 202 Estate I bought second hand in 2002. The dealer replaced the sender under warranty and cured the problem.

 

[Dec]

You could try adding some injector cleaner to the tank, it may just need cleaning..

I second that, solved similar problem that I had, pour 250ml STP Fuel Injector Cleaner into tank and fill up, if no improvement after a couple of hundred miles, then think about the sender. Always try the cheap solution first.

Dec

 

[andy_burnton]

Thanks Guys

Thanks for all the responses.

As I understand it there are two sender units on the C180 tank. Is that correct ? How do you know which one to change ?

I will try the injector cleaner first.

I'm a time served aircraft fitter and was an electronics engineer for many years so should be able to handle a strip/rebuild of the sender if necessary.

Thanks again,

Andy

 

[star]

i think you have to buy both, they sit on the lower side of the tanks so it needs to be fairly empty and theres a special tool to remove them.