How do you know when you've run out of petrol?

[JonRB]

The answer is something like this:

1. Notice that the car is a little hesitant, but put it down to it being cold
2. Notice that the hesitancy is getting worse and also that the fuel pump is whining / trying to prime. Think "bugger, I think the fuel pump is on it's way out"
3. Notice that power is really dropping off. Think "damn, I think the ECU is buggered".
4. Start to really lose power. Finally realise that you're running out of fuel despite only having 180 miles on the trip counter and knowing that's far to early to run out.
5. Kangaroo to a stop just as you realise that the car has been at the garage for head work and that they have doubtless idled the car for ages using up fuel without doing mileage and hence accounting for running out of fuel at 180 miles.
6. Park up and observe people slowing down to have a gawp and just know they're thinking "huh huh huh, another broken down TVR".
7. Call wife to bring the Tetra can and take you to the nearest petrol station. What an angel she is.

So there you go.

>>> Edited by JonRB on Monday 4th April 22:11

[Balmoral Green]

Doesnt it have a fuel gauge?

[JonRB]

Balmoral Green said:

Doesnt it have a fuel gauge?

Never relied on the fuel gauge on the Chimaera - the trip counter is generally more accurate. Well, usually anyway.

[2 Smokin Barrels]

You weren't driving hard enough! With real brisk cornering you get the "weird misfire" before all of the above!!

Glad you sorted it.

[markmullen]

Ran out of petrol at work today, 200 metres into testing out our new Colt CZT 1.5 turbo pocket rocket. Oops.

[matt_fp]

Ran the T16 out of fuel once......... mid corner......... at quite a speed.......... melted a piston.........

Matt

[Balmoral Green]

markmullen said:

Ran out of petrol at work today, 200 metres into testing out our new Colt CZT 1.5 turbo pocket rocket. Oops.

A demo car aint a demo car unless its running on fumes

[markmullen]

Balmoral Green said:

A demo car aint a demo car unless its running on fumes

It didn't really help that it hadn't been PDI'd yet so was on 50PSI tyres and that I shouldn't have been thraping it, one of our technicians was ready and waiting to PDI it

[Pigeon]

Morris Minors are good for this sort of thing, as you can hear the fuel pump clicking faster and faster as the tank dries out. I used to be able to judge it precisely enough that I would set off from home and run out of petrol just as I got to the top of a hill, from where I could coast down the other side to the petrol station at the bottom.

[Mr E]

matt_fp said:

Ran the T16 out of fuel once......... mid corner......... at quite a speed.......... melted a piston.........

Ouch.

I did know of someone who had a blocked line on one side of the tank, and only discovered it doing something similar.