Fuel guege problem

marzuki · Jun 3rd, 2006, 05:27

Hi there|
My 1993 240SE fuel level indicator is not giving the right amount of oil in the tank, the nedle drops faster when the fuel is half tank and drops slowly when it is full to half level. What is the problem?

The fuel cap on my car is red colour, does this means I can use leaded fuel?

dgbalfour · Jun 3rd, 2006, 11:17

My 1991 SE does that as well, it's just one of those things that 240s do. It got a bit better when I swapped the gauge over after one died. I know that when I hit the red I have ~15 litres left in the tank, or 80-90 miles.

A 1993 car will have a cat, so do NOT put leaded (4-star) petrol in it. You may well find that the filler neck isn't wide enough for a 4-star pump head anyway, Volvo did this as a safety feature to prevent owners from destroying their cats.

David

morsing · Jun 3rd, 2006, 12:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgbalfour

My 1991 SE does that as well, it's just one of those things that 240s do. It got a bit better when I swapped the gauge over after one died. I know that when I hit the red I have ~15 litres left in the tank, or 80-90 miles.

David

Not just 240s. I think it's just the way a simple resistor with a voltmeter attached works. My BMW does the same.
A linear gauge would probably be a lot more complicated...

Peter D · Jun 3rd, 2006, 13:01

Yep that is how a 240 gauge responds. It's right when it's full and when it is empty. Your 1993 240SE must not have leaded fuel in it as it has a CAT only unleaded. Regards Peter

Alec Dawe · Jun 3rd, 2006, 13:35

I'm afraid that whats been said about the fuel gauge seems to be right, even for new cars.
The one in my old 240GLT hehaves just like yours. When I had a Saab 9-5, the fuel gauge would not move from 'full' for about 100 miles, then would creep gently down to 'half full' then drop like a stone towards 'empty!'

Just learn to live with it is the only solution I think!

Jun 3rd, 2006, 15:16

I've had 4 740s.

On the first one the gauge worked OK but stuck in the middle for ages before going to 1/4 full.

On the second one it worked fine.

On the third one it was completely random.

And on my fourth one, the gauge didn't work at all, so just for a laugh I swapped it for the gauge from the third one which works fine apart from a mild g-force effect.

I think that the fuel gauge issue is part of owning a RWD Volvo, and is to be relished rather than worried about.

Velorum · Jun 3rd, 2006, 15:25

Yes - same on both of mine!

Mike_Brace · Jun 3rd, 2006, 18:27

The easy answer is to fill tank and set trip recorder. Much more accurate than fuel gauge. This is what we always do with the lpg (even though there is a gauge). Mind you filling is only about £25 max so a little easier on the wallet!

Mike

Jun 3rd, 2006, 05:27	#1
marzuki New Member Last Online: Sep 12th, 2007 05:17 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Alor Setar, Kedah	Fuel guege problem Hi there\| My 1993 240SE fuel level indicator is not giving the right amount of oil in the tank, the nedle drops faster when the fuel is half tank and drops slowly when it is full to half level. What is the problem? The fuel cap on my car is red colour, does this means I can use leaded fuel?

Jun 3rd, 2006, 13:35	#5
Alec Dawe Former Support Team Last Online: Jan 26th, 2024 11:26 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Nr Norwich	I'm afraid that whats been said about the fuel gauge seems to be right, even for new cars. The one in my old 240GLT hehaves just like yours. When I had a Saab 9-5, the fuel gauge would not move from 'full' for about 100 miles, then would creep gently down to 'half full' then drop like a stone towards 'empty!' Just learn to live with it is the only solution I think! __________________ Alec. (My other car is a WD 2-10-0)

Jun 3rd, 2006, 18:27	#8
Mike_Brace Former contributor Last Online: Jul 2nd, 2022 07:54 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Rhosgoch, Anglesey	The easy answer is to fill tank and set trip recorder. Much more accurate than fuel gauge. This is what we always do with the lpg (even though there is a gauge). Mind you filling is only about £25 max so a little easier on the wallet! Mike __________________ A Volvo is for life not just for Christmas!

Jun 3rd, 2006, 11:17	#2
dgbalfour VOC Member Last Online: Yesterday 07:56 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bedford	My 1991 SE does that as well, it's just one of those things that 240s do. It got a bit better when I swapped the gauge over after one died. I know that when I hit the red I have ~15 litres left in the tank, or 80-90 miles. A 1993 car will have a cat, so do NOT put leaded (4-star) petrol in it. You may well find that the filler neck isn't wide enough for a 4-star pump head anyway, Volvo did this as a safety feature to prevent owners from destroying their cats. David

Jun 3rd, 2006, 13:01	#4
Peter D Peter D Last Online: Mar 2nd, 2015 21:03 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Livingston	Yep that is how a 240 gauge responds. It's right when it's full and when it is empty. Your 1993 240SE must not have leaded fuel in it as it has a CAT only unleaded. Regards Peter

Jun 3rd, 2006, 15:16	#6
general_joe Guest Location:	I've had 4 740s. On the first one the gauge worked OK but stuck in the middle for ages before going to 1/4 full. On the second one it worked fine. On the third one it was completely random. And on my fourth one, the gauge didn't work at all, so just for a laugh I swapped it for the gauge from the third one which works fine apart from a mild g-force effect. I think that the fuel gauge issue is part of owning a RWD Volvo, and is to be relished rather than worried about.

Jun 3rd, 2006, 15:25	#7
Velorum VOC Member Last Online: Apr 17th, 2023 20:49 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Newquay	Yes - same on both of mine!

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