Range question
 

The fuel gauge in the 300D gets a little wonky around 1/2 a tank. I know eventually it needs a new sending unit, but until I can afford one (other priorities.....wife's car needs tires, youngest kids needs braces, the list goes on and on.....)

Anyway, for now I'm filling up the tank and then using the trip odometer to figure out my range. Like I said, the gauge seems fairly accurate to just above a half tank, then starts sticking and jumping.

Ok the question. What is a good estimate (in miles...) of the range of a half tank of fuel? I could probably figure it out easily enough myself, but I thought I would ask. I drive 95% of my time on open two lane roads at speeds of 55-70. Based on that, I figure about 225-250 miles puts me in the half tank area?

What do you all say?

Thanks in advance,

Glenn

How many gallons tops the tank when gauge indicates 1/2?

Sixto
87 300D

I installed a tank from a 85 300D in my 240D, so when Iam at the 1/2 way mark than is about 10 gallons. as I remember the tank is 21 Gal.

Have you removed the sending unit and cleaned it? that is most ikely your problem with the little wonkey.

Charlie

Mine was doing the same thing, jumping and sticking, but I just took it out and cleaned it with brake cleaner. It is a very simple piece of equipment with a ball floating between two wire contacts that increases/decreases electrical resistance as it floats up/down. Mine was full of black gunk that was interfering with the contacts.

Unless one of the wires is broken or corroded (not likely because then it wouldn't work at all), you should be able to clean it out and save yourself $250.

I figured out "empirically" that I could go about 340 miles on a tank in my '81 300TD and used the trip odometer for my fuel guage from then on until I finally replaced the sender.