Petrol gauge problem... again....

[30-6]

I bought my 19 plate Duster new. Within the 3 year warranty petrol gauge playing up, showing lower amount of fuel than was actually in tank. Went in to Dacia dealership where they said they done something with the software, seemed ok.

Towards the end of the 3 year warranty went again where they said they replaced sender unit under warranty. Now with the car just over 5 years old playing up again.

Had 3 bars showing, put £25 of petrol in, gauge did not register extra fuel, in fact drove 3 miles home and dropped to 2 bars. Phoned garage to ask if possible the pump had problems, definite no. Pump seemed slow delivering fuel compared to other filling stations I use.

I know there were suggestions not to fill tank too full suggested before to me, as this problem could be caused by doing that, and I don't.

So, my question is, 1 - anyone else suffering this in their petrol Duster and 2 - will one of those plug in fault detection things show up the problem ?

Thanks for reading.

 

 

[TOPGUN749]

It’s annoying but sounds like it’s expensive to fix the problem and it keeps coming back,so if it was me I would calculate how far a tankful takes you,in my car it’s 500-600 depending on types of journeys. Refill after about 400 miles to ensure it never gets empty.

[London Best]

15 minutes ago, TOPGUN749 said:

It’s annoying but sounds like it’s expensive to fix the problem and it keeps coming back,so if it was me I would calculate how far a tankful takes you,in my car it’s 500-600 depending on types of journeys. Refill after about 400 miles to ensure it never gets empty.

Beat me to it! I was about to post exactly the same. Forget the gauge and brim the tank every 400 miles, or whatever.

[button]

I would be going back to the garage, if they replaced after 3 years then it's gone after 2 further years I would be arguing that their repair has not lasted 3 years 

[enfieldspares]

In reality, I am sorry to say, the new part that was fitted will AFAIK only remain in warranty for what was left of the original warranty of the faulty part it has replaced.

[30-6]

Had to go for blood tests down surgery and looking at the gauge still showing 2 bars. Was sitting in surgery and contemplating whether to put £10 of petrol in to see if it would alter gauge reading. Came out put key in, and gauge showed 6 bars.

Happy Days for now anyway.

[JohnfromUK]

9 hours ago, 30-6 said:

Had to go for blood tests down surgery and looking at the gauge still showing 2 bars. Was sitting in surgery and contemplating whether to put £10 of petrol in to see if it would alter gauge reading. Came out put key in, and gauge showed 6 bars.

Happy Days for now anyway.

If it was me, I'd keep a spare can in the car until you are certain it is reliable!

[30-6]

Hi John, yes I have thought of keeping a can handy, I don't do many long journeys but definitely something to consider.

I don't think I will ever have 100% faith in it. I read pages and pages of this problem, and it is a very common question in the Dacia forums. The general concensus seems to be filling the tank too full.

It was also a common fault in my Morris Marina, my second car in the 80's. Different type of gauge but still a pain. No software or electronics then.

[London Best]

I never, and never have, done anything other than fill a fuel tank to the brim every time I need fuel. I zero the trip reading when I get back in the vehicle. That way you get to know how many miles the vehicle does per tank of fuel.
No need for a fuel gauge then, especially one you cannot trust. 
When home I work out the mpg achieved with every tank full. If the average is down over more than two tanks full I investigate to see if there is a problem. This has only ever happened once. Engine had burnt out an exhaust valve.

[Dougy]

Why dont you check the mileage on your car's trip counter from zero, top up at "X" number of miles and re-zero trip-ometer. Got to be better that putting trust in a faulty fuel gauge.