1996 defender 90 oil and fuel gauge probs

Woodsman300 · Aug 17, 2013

Hi all, two simple questions from a novice:

1. what's the best oil to in on a 1996 defender 90 300 Tdi engine?

2. My fuel gauge will barely register half full even when I know the tank is full - could this be just a bent arm on the float? If so how easy is it to fix?

Cheers,

Woodsman300

OxonLandy · Aug 17, 2013

I stick cheap 15w40 in my 300tdi. I change it every year, and the filter, so not fussed about how cheapo it is

Litch · Aug 17, 2013

The main dealer put Magnatec in my 300TDi at the initial 1K service and I have used the same stuff ever since with oil & filter changes at 6-months (about 3K miles).

Yes the float arm could be bent but has it always been like this or just started because it is unliky to have bent itself?
Straightening and / or replacing the arm is simple, just remove the sender unit from the top of the tank and see what adjustment may be required.

Woodsman300 · Aug 18, 2013

Thanks Litch, I have only had the Landy 5 weeks at it appears to register a bit less each time I fill it up. I thought at first that there was an air bubble in the tank or something but after filling it till the garage diesel pump cut out and then putting in half a litre and then waiting 20 secs for it to go down the tube and the topping it up again it quickly became apparent that despite the gauge toughing red 25 litres filled it to the brim!! Its not a problem, just a niggle really. But I would like to sort it out.

Woodsman300

Woodsman300 · Aug 18, 2013

Many thanks, will give it a try!!

Woodsman300

LeadFarmer · Aug 18, 2013

Perhaps you have a hole half way up your fuel tank?

Sorry

Litch · Aug 18, 2013

Perhaps the float has a hole in it?
I think that to get to the bottom of the problem you need to remove the sender and either inspect / play around with it or just replace it with a new one.

They are really cheap so to save time probably best just to replace it.

Oldseadog · Aug 18, 2013

Check that you have 12V to the gauge and that your earth to the instrument housing is good.

It is unlikely that your arm will need bending!

If you had a hole in the float it would read 'empty'.

I stick the cheapest mineral oil in that I can get hold of

1996 defender 90 oil and fuel gauge probs

Woodsman300

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OxonLandy

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Litch

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