Fuel gauge not correct, running out of fuel..?sometimes
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Neutral
Joined: May 2022
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From: I live in Costa Rica and my Mini is in storage in NC, USA
Fuel gauge not correct, running out of fuel..?sometimes
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Joined May 3, 2022
1 PostsDiscussion starter · #1 · a moment ago
I am driving across the US now climbing some big grades and twisty turns. I have about a little more then a 1/4....maybe up to 2/3 of a tank showing and a range of about 110 miles. I loose power then it comes back. I made it to a gas station and filled it up. Took about 10 gallons. I started drive the mountains again and the engine ran without any issues I was having before the fill. Now for the interesting part. The Guage only showed 3/4 of a tank and the range was about 278. I kept look at these two numbers as I was climbing the mountain roads an slowly the range got longer and the Guage registered more fuel. After maybe 20 minute I had a full tank and and range close to the 400 miles. I bought the car new and it has only 38000. Miles. It was in storage for 12 years. Last year I drained the tank. Replace all the fluids and drove it for a month. It was filled with fuel that had ethanol the first storage period (12 years) no ethanol fuel the second time (1year). It started right up two weeks ago and I have just drove from NC to CO in four days. Do you have any ideas of what the issue is? I think the fuel from the right filter chamber is not getting to the left fuel pump chamber because the tank is supposed to hold 13 gallons or so. If the filter was clogged, I would have performance problems. But why is this happening. Thanks for any ideas or help.
2005 mini cooper s R 52 fuel guage and range not correct. Running out of gas.
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Goldfinch
RegisteredJoined May 3, 2022
1 PostsDiscussion starter · #1 · a moment ago
I am driving across the US now climbing some big grades and twisty turns. I have about a little more then a 1/4....maybe up to 2/3 of a tank showing and a range of about 110 miles. I loose power then it comes back. I made it to a gas station and filled it up. Took about 10 gallons. I started drive the mountains again and the engine ran without any issues I was having before the fill. Now for the interesting part. The Guage only showed 3/4 of a tank and the range was about 278. I kept look at these two numbers as I was climbing the mountain roads an slowly the range got longer and the Guage registered more fuel. After maybe 20 minute I had a full tank and and range close to the 400 miles. I bought the car new and it has only 38000. Miles. It was in storage for 12 years. Last year I drained the tank. Replace all the fluids and drove it for a month. It was filled with fuel that had ethanol the first storage period (12 years) no ethanol fuel the second time (1year). It started right up two weeks ago and I have just drove from NC to CO in four days. Do you have any ideas of what the issue is? I think the fuel from the right filter chamber is not getting to the left fuel pump chamber because the tank is supposed to hold 13 gallons or so. If the filter was clogged, I would have performance problems. But why is this happening. Thanks for any ideas or help.
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2021
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From: Under the car. As per normal.
I have about a little more then a 1/4....maybe up to 2/3 of a tank showing and a range of about 110 miles. I loose power then it comes back. I made it to a gas station and filled it up. Took about 10 gallons. I started drive the mountains again and the engine ran without any issues I was having before the fill.
I think the fuel from the right filter chamber is not getting to the left fuel pump chamber because the tank is supposed to hold 13 gallons or so.
That and/or fuel pump level float arm is sticking and/or the resistor is toast.
Would
- open up the fuel pump side and have a look at the hose connection coming from the right side to the pump.
- consider replacing the fuel pump assembly preemptively. Get a VDO/Continental, not a no-name cheapie
- swap in a new fuel filter to take care of whatever residual mung hasn't been flushed out already
- add fuel system / injector cleaner at the next fill up, fill with top shelf premium; rinse and repeat
- not go below half a tank indicated (or better yet every X miles based on average fuel economy) before refilling regardless from here out until you work out what it is. Nothing good happens to these cars when they run out of fuel.
Last edited by Daftlad; Jul 17, 2023 at 04:54 AM.
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From: I live in Costa Rica and my Mini is in storage in NC, USA
Thanks Daftlad
That is great information and I will pursue all you insights. I wrote a lonnnng reply but it disappeared before I hit send! Do you know how the "siphon jet pump" works in the fuel delivery system works? Is this a actual electric sup pump that pumps fuel from the right side to the left side all the time? I saw a great UTube video that show the system removed and great close up photos of all the components but the gentleman was not sure exactly how it worked to get the fuel from the right side to the left. Thanks for all your knowledge and time!
Last edited by Goldfinch 2; Jul 17, 2023 at 08:40 AM. Reason: Spelling
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 452
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From: Phoenix, AZ
That is great information and I will pursue all you insights. I wrote a lonnnng reply but it disappeared before I hit send! Do you know how the "siphon jet pump" works in the fuel delivery system works? Is this a actual electric sup pump that pumps fuel from the right side to the left side all the time? I saw a great UTube video that show the system removed and great close up photos of all the components but the gentleman was not sure exactly how it worked to get the fuel from the right side to the left. Thanks for all your knowledge and time!
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