Fuel gauge / auxiliary tank

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Martino
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Location: Dublin, Ireland

Possibly a weird question, but how do you know if a W460 has a auxiliary fuel tanks(s)?

I know from the VIN that mine (1989 230GE) was supplied with them. There's some correspondence at some point with a previous owner where he was advised to remove them but I don't know if that was ever done.

The reason I ask is - if you fill the tank to the 'click' at the pump it takes ages for the fuel gauge to stop being pinned to 'full'. I have done 80 miles since filling and ithe gauge is not shifting from reading 'full'. I remember this happened before and it's unnerving as you don't know if there's an issue with the sensor / ballcock type apparatus being stuck.

it happened previously and I went to the mechanic who gave me a small petrol can in case it ran out! On that occasion eventually the needle started to drop.

Ordinarily I know that €25 will get me 1/4 tank which will get me around 50 miles city driving. Since the previous time this happened I've avoided filling to the click, and just put in €50 if it's at half full etc.

Is it possible there's an auxiliary tank and that the fuel gauge only starts to operate once that is drained and it moves on to the main tank? Or is the gauge calibrated in such a way that it reads 'full' for a long time before dropping?

Is there anything I can do other than keep an eye on the trip meter to see how far I've gone? 

thanks in advance!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martino
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Joined: 01.02.2016
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Re: Fuel gauge / auxiliary tank

Actually, maybe it's 80km rather than miles - not sure how the trip enter is calibrated

bigblock
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Joined: 27.05.2009
Location: HIGHLANDS
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Re: Fuel gauge / auxiliary tank

If you do have the aux tank fitted it will be in the offside wheel arch above the main tank (see photo). The main tank fills first then the reserve tank. The reserve tank only holds 15 litres and the main tank 65 litres. The fuel sender is only callibrated to show the main tank is full. Some people recomend that the aux tank be removed because their location can make them prone to rust.

If you get 50 miles (80km) on a quarter of the main tank thats 16 litres, that would suggest that you do have an aux tank because  from what you said your fuel guage does not move from full until you have travelled 80km and used the 15 litres in the aux tank. Next time the tank shows empty see how much it takes to fill it until the pump clicks off, 65 litres or 80 litres.

 

 

 

Martino
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Joined: 01.02.2016
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Re: Fuel gauge / auxiliary tank

Thanks for that. That would explain it.

Images attached are the drivers side and passenger side back wheel arches. Hard to get a decent pick as there are arch liners.

According to the VIN it came with 2 x 13.5l expansion tanks. Does that look like them?

If so it would make sense if normally 1/4 of 65l = 50km then it's around 3km per litre. So 2 x 13.5l tanks = 27l = 81km before the gauge will start to move.

So, in theory, in 50km time I should be reading 3/4 of a tank?

 

 

 

 

prwales
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Joined: 30.05.2007
Location: West Glamorgan
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Re: Fuel gauge / auxiliary tank

I have had two w460's the one with the extra tanks had less corrosion in the rear 3/4 than the one without as the tanks stopped the build up of mud that rots out the area around the lights

geoffwickham
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Re: Fuel gauge / auxiliary tank

My 1987 280ge has got the extra tanks but my problem is the left hand tank leaks when filled up, does anyone know what what sort of job it is to replace with a new unit.. also still in the market for a fuek gauge if poss 

thanks geoff..

Jdring
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Joined: 12.04.2004
Location: South of Oxford, UK. 87' 230GE SWB Manual, 89' 230GE SWB Auto, 2012 G350Bluetec LWB
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Re: Fuel gauge / auxiliary tank

My 230GE smells of petrol when filled over half way.  I have the long range tanks.  The driver's side and the main tank appear dry, but I didn't check the other side!   I probably have the same issue as your 280GE !