Mk4 Fuel Tank Capacity?

[tb130]

Hi All,

I'm sure i've read in a few places that the mk4 fuel tank has a capacity of 45 litres. After the fuel light comes on I normally drive for around 40-50 miles and then fill up. when I fill up though i've never got more than around 39 litres in and that's absolutely brimming it. Does this mean I have an extra gallon in the tank when I fill up or are they only 40 litre tanks?

cheers

 

[Ad Lav]

45 litres - 5 litres is backup I think...

 

[Ad Lav]

I managed to get 43 litres in once, that was scary low on fuel!!

 

[tb130]

When you say 5L backup do you mean light on at 5L left

 

[Ad Lav]

Yup, pretty sure that's the reserve as the light comes on.

 

[tb130]

Cool, thanks for hasty reply. Just seen in the manual that light comes on at 7 litres left. That seems odd though. Means i'm doing 40-50 miles when the lights on using only 2litres if there's still 5L more?! Guess it doesn't really matter though, if i leave it longer before filling i'll only spend more refueling !

 

[JR_130]

I normally fill up as soon as the low fuel warning comes on (which i thought was 7L)
but i can regularly get 46-48 L in the tank if you "vent"
so if the 7L warning light is correct then the capacity must be 45L + whatever size the expansion (vent) tank is (guessing about 7-8L).

I've found more info on here about "venting" just do a quick search

 

[beezanick]

I always tend to vent (500+ miles per week, get fed up of the fuel station!) and can get 50L in if in the red when I fill up. Ive done 100 miles when on the red light before now aswell. There seems to be a fair amount of fuel left in reserve.

 

[tb130]

How low is the analogue gauge after 100miles?

 

[beezanick]

Still not quite on zero - but very close!!! moves about a mill from the stop point. Wouldnt have done it, but I had 5L of fuel in the back if I ran out, and I know how much room for error seat put into their gauges!

 

[Gooner_Mike]

The warning light (and that bloody beep) comes stupidly early! 45 litres I thought, although I can get 50 in if I vent the tank but don't do this very often as I heard it can affect the fuel level sensor or something!

 

[beezanick]

Venting is fine on a derv, but dont do it on a petrol due to the expansion rates. Doesnt damage the fuel sender/pump ect.

 

[Neil82]

I got 57£ worth of Shell Ultimate Di*sel (at 107p a L) in my FR TDI tonight using the venting technique. Most I ever got in before was 45£ worth!

 

[tb130]

Never really tried venting before - is there no problem at all with doing it (risk to car)?

 

[tb130]

Just searched venting so got a better idea now - cheers

 

[Dan_Biza_Boi]

the most i can get in mine from zero miles is about 36 pound witch prob 35 litres and thats to the top i have over filled it at 37 litres how are you all getting more

 

[Neil82]

Just checked my receipt and I got 53L in my FR tdi Ibiza. That was me filling up as soon as the warning buzzer/light came on as well so there is more than 53L in there right now.

 

[Neil82]

the most i can get in mine from zero miles is about 36 pound witch prob 35 litres and thats to the top i have over filled it at 37 litres how are you all getting more

Venting the tank.

 

[st10587]

i also vent my tank at every fill up. i do about 400miles a week and i can get 50ish litres in

 

[Ibiza 130 tdi]

I only ever vented when I used to do long distance. I filled up with just normal BP diesel and did 300 miles on half a tank last week. Even this morning I saw 62.4 average. Yet stop start driving I can only just get around 320miles out of a normal tank...