Mk1 Dispatch - fuel runs out at 1/4 tank, and I get less fuel in than I should

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kenbw2
(Donor 2017)
Posts: 271
Joined: 23 Dec 2014, 00:24
Location: Bradford
My Cars: -
Current:
2000 Citroen Dispatch 1.9TD: daily driver
1997 Peugeot 806 1.9TD: backup vehicle
1996 Citroen Synergie 1.9TD: donor car
1997 Citroen Xantia 2.0 16v: Aussie play thing

Former:
1999 Citroen Dispatch 1.9D DW8: got a new owner
1994 Peugeot 106 1.5D: killed by a deer
1996 Peugeot 106 1.5D: cremated
x 23

Mk1 Dispatch - fuel runs out at 1/4 tank, and I get less fuel in than I should

Post by kenbw2 »

Since I got my new Dispatch I found it runs out of fuel at 1/4 of a tank - engine stopping running for fuel starvation. Fair enough I thought, I'll just have to be mindful of it.

I then went to fill it up, and I mean reeeally fill it, till it leaks out the top. I got 65 litres in before it overflowed. I managed to slowly get another 10 in but it wasn't taking any more

In my various other Synergie/806/Dispatches, I've been able to get at least 80 litres from drained, I think even close to 90. So there must still be fuel left in the tank it can't get to.

How would this be? I guess the feeder pipe doesn't float, so it's not getting stuck. Anything I can do short of dropping thank and looking inside?
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white exec
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Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
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Re: Mk1 Dispatch - fuel runs out at 1/4 tank, and I get less fuel in than I should

Post by white exec »

Tank bottoms (not to be confused with tank tops #-o ) have been known to distort/bow upwards when the weight of fuel decreases, and this could block off fuel being sucked out of the tank. You could inspect the base of the tank, and see whether it's possible to pull it down (eg with a suction lifter for glass).

Only a remote possibility. As you say, you might just have to burrow in there. Broken or wrong pick-up unit fitted??
Dispatch_ I _1.9TD fuel tank.JPG
The large fuel filler pipe looks as if it enters the tank right at the bottom. Wonder whether that would allow a peek inside without removing everything?
Chris
kenbw2
(Donor 2017)
Posts: 271
Joined: 23 Dec 2014, 00:24
Location: Bradford
My Cars: -
Current:
2000 Citroen Dispatch 1.9TD: daily driver
1997 Peugeot 806 1.9TD: backup vehicle
1996 Citroen Synergie 1.9TD: donor car
1997 Citroen Xantia 2.0 16v: Aussie play thing

Former:
1999 Citroen Dispatch 1.9D DW8: got a new owner
1994 Peugeot 106 1.5D: killed by a deer
1996 Peugeot 106 1.5D: cremated
x 23

Re: Mk1 Dispatch - fuel runs out at 1/4 tank, and I get less fuel in than I should

Post by kenbw2 »

Doesn't look like it's sagged inwards, you're right about the filler pipe. My tank's almost empty (I think...) so I'll disconnect that tomorrow and see what I can see in there
kenbw2
(Donor 2017)
Posts: 271
Joined: 23 Dec 2014, 00:24
Location: Bradford
My Cars: -
Current:
2000 Citroen Dispatch 1.9TD: daily driver
1997 Peugeot 806 1.9TD: backup vehicle
1996 Citroen Synergie 1.9TD: donor car
1997 Citroen Xantia 2.0 16v: Aussie play thing

Former:
1999 Citroen Dispatch 1.9D DW8: got a new owner
1994 Peugeot 106 1.5D: killed by a deer
1996 Peugeot 106 1.5D: cremated
x 23

Re: Mk1 Dispatch - fuel runs out at 1/4 tank, and I get less fuel in than I should

Post by kenbw2 »

So I ran it till it cut out yesterday, then parked in on a flat, primed it and ran it stood still till it cut out to rule out any sloshing/hill issues.

I then removed that pipe from the tank, and out poured some fuel:

Image

Given that pipe isn't the lowest point, and that the pickup is in the centre, where the lowest point is, I think it's safe to say there's still fuel in the tank that it can't get to

Image

I tried taking a look inside but couldn't see much. I also tried shoving my reversing camera in there so I could see round the corner, but it wouldn't fit :)
Hell Razor5543
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Re: Mk1 Dispatch - fuel runs out at 1/4 tank, and I get less fuel in than I should

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

I wonder (only WONDER, mind you) if this is one of those vehicles where somebody has fitted a 'secret compartment' tank? These things do exist, and are designed to fit in the place of an ordinary (but fairly large) car component, with space 'reserved' for a secret storage space. Fuel tanks can be one such item selected for 'modification'.
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Michel
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Re: Mk1 Dispatch - fuel runs out at 1/4 tank, and I get less fuel in than I should

Post by Michel »

Has someone had the sender unit out and bent it?
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white exec
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Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Mk1 Dispatch - fuel runs out at 1/4 tank, and I get less fuel in than I s

Post by white exec »

Or fitted something non-standard?
Probably best to whip the tank out, if you can't get access/visibility from the top,
At least then you'll know, and get to sleep at night...
Chris
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Re: Mk1 Dispatch - fuel runs out at 1/4 tank, and I get less fuel in than I should

Post by rebuilder86 »

Sounds like air is getting in instead of fuel at the 1/4 level creating an airlock.
Pull the pump out and inspect for cracks.
If no cracks, the pump may be overheating when not submerged.
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white exec
Moderating Team
Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Mk1 Dispatch - fuel runs out at 1/4 tank, and I get less fuel in than I should

Post by white exec »

Being diesel, there is no pump in the tank. The inserted unit is simply the fuel gauge sender.
Fuel taken from tank by suction. It is possible, though, that the sender unit/pick-up pipe is holed as you suggest, so a good call.
Chris
kenbw2
(Donor 2017)
Posts: 271
Joined: 23 Dec 2014, 00:24
Location: Bradford
My Cars: -
Current:
2000 Citroen Dispatch 1.9TD: daily driver
1997 Peugeot 806 1.9TD: backup vehicle
1996 Citroen Synergie 1.9TD: donor car
1997 Citroen Xantia 2.0 16v: Aussie play thing

Former:
1999 Citroen Dispatch 1.9D DW8: got a new owner
1994 Peugeot 106 1.5D: killed by a deer
1996 Peugeot 106 1.5D: cremated
x 23

Re: Mk1 Dispatch - fuel runs out at 1/4 tank, and I get less fuel in than I should

Post by kenbw2 »

Looks like I'll be dropping the tank at some point then. I hope I can do this from below because there's no way I'm getting to it through the floor with all my campervan mods!
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