Fuel Problem

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V

Vertor

New Member
Posts
12
Location
East Yorkshire
My 1997 Defender 300tdi 90 cuts out when the fuel level indicator reaches the red point, if I switch off and wait a minute or two it starts again, runs for another few minutes then cuts out. I am thinking it could be either a dodgy fuel level indicator or the fuel tank/feed is clogged. Can anyone pass me any advice? B.T.Y, I am not particularly mechanically skilled, basic level only but willing to give most things a go.
 
You mean your engine cuts out when you reach the red on the gauge? Sounds like you are running out of fuel...

Seriously though, there is always going to be a little bit of fuel in the pipes even if it has cut out due to lack of fuel and unless the tank is bone dry then you will usually get it to start. If it's running perfectly OK when you have more fuel in the tank then I would say this is normal behaviour.

If you are concerned that the fuel gauge is not reading correctly then you may be able to remove the sender and bend the float arm a little to give you a different reading, but I wouldn't do it. Like most Land Rover's I would put this down to one if its little quirks.
 
Keep the gauge needle above the red.

This can easily be achieved by taking your wallet and tootling along to the nearest petrol station.

Once there, you pull up alongside a one of those big box-type thingies which generally have a number of black rubber pipes attached, with a handle on the metal bit at the end.

Remove what is commonly known as 'the filler cap', and is generally located on one side or the other of your Landy.

Insert the metal end of the pipe into the hole, which is now exposed by removal of the cap, and then gently squeeze the handle.

The gurgling sound is quite common, so don't worry about it!

Keep going until either the fuel starts spitting at you from the hole, or you have run out of money, whichever happens first.

I do hope that this may have given you some guidance towards alleviating your problem :D
 
Oldseadog said:
Keep the gauge needle above the red.

This can easily be achieved by taking your wallet and tootling along to the nearest petrol station.

Once there, you pull up alongside a one of those big box-type thingies which generally have a number of black rubber pipes attached, with a handle on the metal bit at the end.

Remove what is commonly known as 'the filler cap', and is generally located on one side or the other of your Landy.

Insert the metal end of the pipe into the hole, which is now exposed by removal of the cap, and then gently squeeze the handle.

The gurgling sound is quite common, so don't worry about it!

Keep going until either the fuel starts spitting at you from the hole, or you have run out of money, whichever happens first.

I do hope that this may have given you some guidance towards alleviating your problem :D
Click to expand...

Come on OSD! You made no mention of replacing the filler cap!

I have to fill mine super slowly as it has the pull out funnel thing which seems to impede the flow of diesel.
 
its running out of fuel, either the sender or gauge dont read correctly.
my disco would do about 50 miles after the fuel warning lght illuminated, in contrast my rrc does 10 miles after the fuel warning light illuminates.
dont worry about it.
 
sp00k said:
I have to fill mine super slowly as it has the pull out funnel thing which seems to impede the flow of diesel.
Click to expand...

I think those pull out things were intended as filters, and a leftover from the days when many landrovers were sold into markets were the fuel quality was so poor that there might be solids floating in the diesel.
The series I have had always had them, but my 90 doesn't, Im not sure if it is missing or had been discontinued on later vehicles. Even without the funnel thing I find it takes ages to fill up, the diesel seems to froth up more than it used to, and as it splashes into the unbaffled tank the froth fills the filler neck and shuts off the pump.

Like the other posters, I have never had a landy with an accurate fuel gauge!
 
Oldseadog said:
Stop picking on me just because I'm old!! :p:p
Click to expand...

You chose the tag Oldseadog, from now on, I'll just call you Seadog :)

IamRobbie said:
My 90 does exactly the same, the gauge aint correct, mines out of fuel once it touches the red.
Click to expand...

I've never tested the accuracy of mine, but the low fuel warning light comes on as soon as the needle touches the red. I try to fill up when I'm at about 1/3 tank anyway. I like to have plenty of diesel as you never know!

Turboman said:
I think those pull out things were intended as filters, and a leftover from the days when many landrovers were sold into markets were the fuel quality was so poor that there might be solids floating in the diesel.
Click to expand...

Yes, there is a wire mesh at the bottom of mine, but the neck pulls fully out which is great when filling using a funnel.

I've learned now just to be patient and fill it slowly and get the angle right.
 
Next time it does it make a note of how much fuel it takes to fill the tank, if you have a 50 litre tank (for example) and you can get 48+ in then guess what - you have run out of fuel!!
 
My 110 used to run out between1/4 and the red, and sometimes above 1/4 when i got stuck on steep angles when off roading. Replaced fuel tank and sender unit and its sorted, i think the pick up pipe had a hole in it so air was being drawn in when fuel was low.
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