Fuel Gauge, slowly going down.

[Surfmogger]

Okay, comedy value title but we'll skip over that.

My Morris Traveller has a fuel gauge which has a slight issue; after starting up the needle clearly shows how much fuel is in the tank then a short while later the needle slowly sinks back to empty. Usually within five minutes.

There has been a few occasions where I have refueled only to have Unleaded splash out after a few seconds... not good.

A sagely chap did try to explain about a magnetic part which goes up and down, connected to the tank, which may not be getting the juice it needs but I forgot the exact details, or to be honest, actually understood what he meant. My old, beaten and well thumbed manual was not much help either.

Advice always appreciated, thank you

[bmcecosse]

Sounds like a bad connection - or perhaps a failed 10v voltage regulator. The float etc is NOT magnetic.......

[chesney]

Does your car have a gold speedo? Mine does, and the fuel gauge rarely works right. These ones don't have the voltage stabiliser as per later models. I just know that when I fill it up it shows 3/4, when I get to 1/4 I run out! In fact I noticed the other day that when I use my indicators, I lose 1/4 of a tank of fuel every time the indicator circuit is 'live' . That caused some amusement. I put it down as one of her quirks

[bmcecosse]

I put it down to low volts....... Check the charging.......

[chesney]

She is 'charging' fine, the lights get brighter with revs etc. Perhaps the regulator is out of adjustment, I shall investigate ;)