CDT - How important is it to keep fuel above 1/4 full ?? - Page 2

Armoredbrummy · 7th December 2007, 15:36

Having recently run out of fuel completely with the message centre telling me I had a range of 8 miles, but a vertical needle right against the stop, I can confirm that there is no red light, it stays amber! It wasn't the best experience I can tell you, middle of nowhere, jet black night, no filling stations within 5 miles and no jerry can in the boot either!

Keith · 7th December 2007, 19:25

OP absolutely no need to mess about leaving quarter of a tank of fuel in the car unless you personally want to.

I regularly run my cars down to near empty typically 30 miles or so after the orange led comes on (well 20 in the V8) and when (if) one day my in tank pump packs up I will replace it and continue to use the full capacity of the fuel tank as I would in any car

Aga · 8th December 2007, 00:08

Before my ZT I used to have a 51 plate CDTi in Wedgewood Blue. I ran out of fuel TWICE in Tesco's car park only 2 miles from my home - discovered after shopping that my car would not start DESPITE it showing that I was 1/4 full!! The Green Flag guy on both occasions stated that this was a common problem on my car (he actually stated all 75's - not just mine!) and he got it going in no time!
At the time, I could not believe that I had run out of fuel with (apparently) still 1/4 tank left!
Fortunately, I have had no such problem with my 05 plate ZT - I have regularly taken it below 1/8th tank and had no problem whatsoever!

FROGGY · 8th December 2007, 19:04

Personally, I like to keep my tank nearer to full than empty all the time, because:
1) you don't save any money if you wait until it is empty
2) if I need to go somewhere in an emergency I don't have to worry about the fuel level
3) there is less chance of picking up s**t from the bottom of the tank (yes I know the pump's sat in the bottom, but if it only has s**t to choose from, that's what ends up in your filter)
4) the saddle tank transfer arrangement isn't the best, so keeping the fuel level up helps

Mick

crofts · 9th December 2007, 13:07

Agree with you entirely Mick. What IS the advantage in running the tank to nearly empty.
From my observation it is rarely owners with a full tank that have starting problems etc.
I'll stick with the over 1/4 tank rule thanks and rule out one possibility. (stating the obvious but you don't have to brim the tank just cause it's getting low !)

crofts · 9th December 2007, 13:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by r44712

Surely the fuel pick up is at the lowest point (think about it) and therefore so long as there's fuel in the tank its getting lubricated...?

I've never had any issues any of my cars ever which always go "into the red" before a refil.

Total urban myth.

Yes, but then the 75 is fairly unique in having a saddle tank & I don't think anyone can tell you with any degree of authority what is happening in each side when the tank is nearly empty.
Look at the comments from members re driving on motorways vs A & B roads where movement of the car assists distribution in the two sides of the tank.
I still don't feel it is an 'open & shut' situation, so I'll play 'safe' thanks.

Aga · 9th December 2007, 21:10

At the end of the day, you do rely upon the guage. If you are in danger of stopping if you are 1/4 full, then you are effectively relying upon a tank that is not as specified. That is to say, if you have to work on the assumption that 1/4 of the tank is wasted, then you do not really have a tank of 60 or 65 ltres to feed from. THERE IS A QUARTER OF A TANK THAT YOU CAN NEVER USE!!! That cannot be good!

crofts · 9th December 2007, 23:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aga

At the end of the day, you do rely upon the guage. If you are in danger of stopping if you are 1/4 full, then you are effectively relying upon a tank that is not as specified. That is to say, if you have to work on the assumption that 1/4 of the tank is wasted, then you do not really have a tank of 60 or 65 ltres to feed from. THERE IS A QUARTER OF A TANK THAT YOU CAN NEVER USE!!! That cannot be good!

You won't stop on a 1/4 tank and on an occasional basis it PROBABLY won't do much harm to run it lower. Truth is, the older the pump the more likely it is to fail, IMO. The 1/4 tank is not wasted just added to. That's like saying why fill the brake resevoir when it only needs a bit in the bottom to work the brakes ! !
just added to

podge · 10th December 2007, 00:01

Just a thought guys , if you are running around a lot with very low fuel levels you stand a good chance of water contamination from condensation and you dont want that sitting in the filter/injection pump, its just an observation from the diesel vehicles used at work, the ones that are allways low on fuel give the biggest corrosion in pump problems.........enough from me its getting late!

9th December 2007, 13:07	#15
crofts I really should get out more....... 2003 Rover 75 Conn. SE Auto Tourer 131 ps CDTi Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bristol Posts: 2,512 Thanks: 38 Thanked 67 Times in 55 Posts	1/4 tank dilema Agree with you entirely Mick. What IS the advantage in running the tank to nearly empty. From my observation it is rarely owners with a full tank that have starting problems etc. I'll stick with the over 1/4 tank rule thanks and rule out one possibility. (stating the obvious but you don't have to brim the tank just cause it's getting low !) __________________ Rover 75 CDTi SE Connoisseur Tourer (2003) In desirable STARLIGHT SILVER (now restored to it's former glory with all the chrome !)

7th December 2007, 15:36	#11
Armoredbrummy Newbie Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Birmingham Posts: 26 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Having recently run out of fuel completely with the message centre telling me I had a range of 8 miles, but a vertical needle right against the stop, I can confirm that there is no red light, it stays amber! It wasn't the best experience I can tell you, middle of nowhere, jet black night, no filling stations within 5 miles and no jerry can in the boot either!

7th December 2007, 19:25	#12
Keith This is my second home ZT400 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellesmere Posts: 5,948 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 29 Posts	OP absolutely no need to mess about leaving quarter of a tank of fuel in the car unless you personally want to. I regularly run my cars down to near empty typically 30 miles or so after the orange led comes on (well 20 in the V8) and when (if) one day my in tank pump packs up I will replace it and continue to use the full capacity of the fuel tank as I would in any car

8th December 2007, 00:08	#13
Aga Gets stuck in MG ZT+ CDTi Black Pearl Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Portchester (nr Portsmouth) Posts: 534 Thanks: 10 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Before my ZT I used to have a 51 plate CDTi in Wedgewood Blue. I ran out of fuel TWICE in Tesco's car park only 2 miles from my home - discovered after shopping that my car would not start DESPITE it showing that I was 1/4 full!! The Green Flag guy on both occasions stated that this was a common problem on my car (he actually stated all 75's - not just mine!) and he got it going in no time! At the time, I could not believe that I had run out of fuel with (apparently) still 1/4 tank left! Fortunately, I have had no such problem with my 05 plate ZT - I have regularly taken it below 1/8th tank and had no problem whatsoever!

8th December 2007, 19:04	#14
FROGGY I really should get out more....... MG ZT CDTI Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: 17500 REAUX, CHARENTE-MARITIME Posts: 2,749 Thanks: 2 Thanked 133 Times in 90 Posts	Personally, I like to keep my tank nearer to full than empty all the time, because: 1) you don't save any money if you wait until it is empty 2) if I need to go somewhere in an emergency I don't have to worry about the fuel level 3) there is less chance of picking up st from the bottom of the tank (yes I know the pump's sat in the bottom, but if it only has st to choose from, that's what ends up in your filter) 4) the saddle tank transfer arrangement isn't the best, so keeping the fuel level up helps Mick

9th December 2007, 21:10	#17
Aga Gets stuck in MG ZT+ CDTi Black Pearl Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Portchester (nr Portsmouth) Posts: 534 Thanks: 10 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	At the end of the day, you do rely upon the guage. If you are in danger of stopping if you are 1/4 full, then you are effectively relying upon a tank that is not as specified. That is to say, if you have to work on the assumption that 1/4 of the tank is wasted, then you do not really have a tank of 60 or 65 ltres to feed from. THERE IS A QUARTER OF A TANK THAT YOU CAN NEVER USE!!! That cannot be good!

10th December 2007, 00:01	#19
podge I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Tourer CDT CLUB SE Copper Red Mica Dec 01 ....now deceased....replaced by2003 Royal Blue T Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: North Warnborough, Hampshire Posts: 2,398 Thanks: 9 Thanked 69 Times in 20 Posts	Just a thought guys , if you are running around a lot with very low fuel levels you stand a good chance of water contamination from condensation and you dont want that sitting in the filter/injection pump, its just an observation from the diesel vehicles used at work, the ones that are allways low on fuel give the biggest corrosion in pump problems.........enough from me its getting late!