Filling up with Fuel

[JQ]

I've not had my 5 very long and have only filled it up a couple of times. But both times it's taken forever as the pump assumes my tank is full and cuts out each time, forcing me to dribble the petrol in. Is this a normal 5 problem, with the access to the tank being horizontal and not vertical - or have I just picked my stations badly.

Cheers

[Oldandslow]

I get that too. Sometimes its easier if you don't put the nozzle too far in.

[Quick silver]

Oldandslow said:

I get that too. Sometimes its easier if you don't put the nozzle too far in.

Also - don't fill it right up, the extra weight has to be carried around & to a certain degree will hinder: braking/acceleration/handling/fuel economy........think F1 on a full tank.

[MX-5 Lazza]

I find it fills better if you angle the pump towards the front of the car i.e. so the pipe is feeding in from the back of the car if that makes sense.

[JQ]

Quick silver said:

Oldandslow said:

I get that too. Sometimes its easier if you don't put the nozzle too far in.

Also - don't fill it right up, the extra weight has to be carried around & to a certain degree will hinder: braking/acceleration/handling/fuel economy........think F1 on a full tank.

I think the number of Big Macs I eat may have more of an impact on that than the fuel.

[JQ]

MX-5 Lazza said:

I find it fills better if you angle the pump towards the front of the car i.e. so the pipe is feeding in from the back of the car if that makes sense.

Cheers, I'll give that a go next time.

[OllieWinchester]

People always look at me funny in fuel stations because I fill it up to the brim, then bodily pick the car up by the wheel arch and it sort of gurgles and the level drops and you can get another litre or so in.

[chaz12]

highjacking this slightly, and being reminded by the running on empty thread in general gassing. I've got a MK2 MX-5 SE, and have not yet seen a low fuel warning light anywhere, even when the needle is starting to bend itself around the 'E' stop! I've looked at the manual, and it doesnt mention anything, so should i have a warning light or not? Any comments gratefully received.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Nope, no warning light until around 2003 model Mk2.5s.
The fuel tank is 50L though and I'll be you've never squeezed much more than 45L in there. The E mark is amazingly pessimistic

[skinny]

top tip. park on the wrong side of the pump. when you turn the nozzle over to put it in the hole, some free fuel comes out. i reckon it's worth at least 100meters plus, i have never had any probs with it clicking too early doing it that way (tho i don't normally anyway)

[chaz12]

Lazza, thanks for that. You're right - the max i have ever squeezed in was about 43L!

[Dan_1981]

I had to push mine into the petrol station yesterday

Well more accuratly i had to push it the final ten yards up to the pump, the needle had been reading well below E for two days. It cut out in the queue for the pump.

Mk1 fuel gauge is about as accurate as a pissed up sniper.

Edited by Dan_1981 on Monday 7th September 17:12

[Gizmo!]

I was wondering whether my Mk1 had a low fuel light or not. Haven't seen it come on. I've got a spare can though, so one day I'll deliberately run it all the way out to see whether it's just set very very low...

(It's only diesels that it causes problems when you run out of juice, isn't it?)

[Dan_1981]

Gizmo! said:

I was wondering whether my Mk1 had a low fuel light or not. Haven't seen it come on. I've got a spare can though, so one day I'll deliberately run it all the way out to see whether it's just set very very low...

(It's only diesels that it causes problems when you run out of juice, isn't it?)

Mk1s don't have a light.

and mine was fine once i'd refilled it, started first time. May well have sucked some crap through but i've not seen any problems.... (touch wood)

[MX-5 Lazza]

I should correct my statement. The Mk2/2.5 has a 50L tank. Late Mk1 had 45L (10 gallon) and early Mk1s only 40L I think.

[BCA]

I just checked my fuel guage - its empty... 50litre tank? How many miles should one expect to see to a tank? I've only done 280 odd miles and its pointing at empty - that said, I've done about 279 miles at 7krpm, top down and grinning like a cheshire cat, so cant complain. Will try and drive it normally for the next tank. Ish.

[skinny]

MX-5 Lazza said:

I should correct my statement. The Mk2/2.5 has a 50L tank. Late Mk1 had 45L (10 gallon) and early Mk1s only 40L I think.

pretty sure my early mk1 is 40 - i can squeeze 36 in if i've been feeling particularly brave

[I Am Milk]

My Mk1 is a 40 litre tank.

I managed to get 39 litres in the other day.


That's what I get for waiting for some money to actually go into my account!

[Howard-]

Dan_1981 said:

May well have sucked some crap through but i've not seen any problems.... (touch wood)

Never understand these statements.. Surely that's what the fuel filter is for?


I find the best way of properly pumping is to hold the pump at the natural angle it 'holds itself' in the hole, if that makes sense!

[Red Firecracker]

Howard- said:

Never understand these statements.. Surely that's what the fuel filter is for?

Filters don't filter too well when they're covered in crap. Yes, they stop the crap getting to the expensive bits, but if they're full of crud they stop everything getting to the expensive bits, even the fuel.

My old Pro-Kart used to be a bugger for blocked fuel filters.