Hi all,

I need some advice re: fuel gauge and fuel tank...

I had the fuel sender unit replaced a couple of weeks back because I was told by the previous owner that the fuel gauge never worked and the mechanic found out the fuel sender unit had to be replaced.

Last night the fuel gauge was saying I've only got 1/2 tank left, so I refilled it up to the top. It turned out I filled it up with 30L!!!

Now I'm really confused, cos' the manual said a stock fuel tank has a capacity of 40L. Does it mean I have a 60L fuel tank?!?!?!? :o

My mate's family used to own a type 3 which had a 45L fuel tank, I can't imagine a stock beetle having a larger fuel tank than a type 3!!!

It's highly unlikely that the previous owner would have upgraded to a larger fuel tank.

Is it just a matter of calibrating the fuel gauge?

Either way, I think I will have to bring it back to the mechanic to ask him to fix it up properly this time...

Ron

What you should try is get a petrol tin filled with fuel and put it safely under the bonnet (boot, whatever its called). Drive your car till it runs out of petrol. Put enough fuel in it to get to a servo (1 litre or so). NOW when you fill it to the top you will be able to see on the pump exactly how much fuel your tank takes. Eventually start resetting your odometer each time so that when you get close to the miles that your car does on a tank you'll know you've almost run out of fuel. Your guage may never be accurate depending on the shape of the tank and where it measures the level in the tank, no matter how you calibrate it. It might always say 1/2 full when it's 1/4 full, or the other way around.

Ron is this for your 74 L Bug, I carnt find a 1303 hand book, however i have a 1302 hand book which says that the tank hold 42 liters, so i presume that your L Bug would be similar capacity not 60 liters.

I think that the sender unit may need some attention by bending the tabs that the arm sits against to calibrate the reading at half tank.

If you can drain the tank and fill it with 21 liters or so then see where the gauge reads.

dont worry about the full reading just make sure that it reads correct at 1/2 and 1/4 these are more important readings.

Thanks for info guys.

Dave: yes, it's my 74L bug.

My Manual says 'Approx 40L'