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Petrol-theft, or a very non-linear fuel gauge?
Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 7:11 pm
by 2nd Hand Yank
I always like to reset my odometer after I fill up the tank, to get an idea how it's running. Yesterday I had fuel just under the *full* mark at about 100 km on the odo. This morning I have 120 km on the odo from a few short trips I've made, but now my fuel level is slightly closer to 1/2 than full. It seems 1/5th of a tank just went missing, if I can trust my Subaru fuel gage.
yesterday I was impressed that I could get 100km and still be close to full.
today I have 140 km on the odo and I'm at nearly half a tank.
I suspect I'll reach a 1/2 tank before I log 200km.
If you all suspect petrol theft, then I'd like to try to find a locking fuel cap.
I actually went to a few parts stores today and didn't find any that would fit.
One that says it works on "Leone" subarus, but it seemed the gasket was too thick or stiff to attach.
The parts guy mentioned I might have an aftermarket fuel filler neck.

Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 8:27 pm
by Gannon
I woulnt worry about it, 1/5th of a tank is nothing for a fuel gauge to be out. Remember that the fuel gauge only displays tank level, and because the tank is not a uniform shape, it is a poor indication of actual fuel left
Why are you looking for a lockable fuel cap? Isnt it covered by a flap that can only be opened from inside the vehicle?
Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 10:19 pm
by mud_king91
L series filler doors are dodge i can open mine with my fingers
Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 11:39 pm
by El_Freddo
mud_king91 wrote:L series filler doors are dodge i can open mine with my fingers
So are the fuel gauges!
This is all a part of getting to know your subi - every fuel gauge is different in how it behaves from what I've experienced!
And it will also change differently from when you're long distance cruising to when you're doing a ~100km/~300km trip then you stop, it will always read lower the next day!
You'll get used to it
Cheers
Bennie
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 12:00 am
by 2nd Hand Yank
Gannon wrote:I woulnt worry about it, 1/5th of a tank is nothing for a fuel gauge to be out. Remember that the fuel gauge only displays tank level, and because the tank is not a uniform shape, it is a poor indication of actual fuel left
Why are you looking for a lockable fuel cap? Isnt it covered by a flap that can only be opened from inside the vehicle?
Actually I have been around after a petrol theft incident at Gnaraloo Station. One of the fishermen guests complained that someone emptied one, or some, of their tanks. Very odd, because Gnaraloo is so far away from anywhere, the only likely possibility would be other guest(s) robbing them. Most fishermen there bring big boats up for deep-sea fishing pulled by 4wds, so they'd use a lot of petrol. I know why someone might want to pinch petrol up there, but that's very dirty, underhanded and in a place with so few people, a very high risk of being spotted and caught. Perhaps they did it while everyone was asleep.
Only opened from inside the vehicle?

Actually a guy at Auto One told me of a way it can be opened, stealthfully.
I'd rather not discuss how on a public forum though, for the safety of Subaru owners.

The most obvious way would involve denting and scratching the body panels.
Update
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 12:07 am
by 2nd Hand Yank
After a second look, it appears the gauge was only skewed about 1/8th of a tank level vs. what I was expecting.
This is normal?
What, do Subarus squat and a take a leak after a long run, when you're not looking?

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 12:08 am
by mud_king91
Yea use your fingers if its mine ha!
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 12:24 am
by El_Freddo
2nd Hand Yank wrote:
What, do Subarus squat and a take a leak after a long run, when you're not looking?

Not really. But if you do several hard turns to "shake the tank" you'll end up with a more accurate figure - I shake the tank on long trips to see where it's actually at so I can make a judgement on the distance I can make before I will really need fuel.
Cheers
Bennie
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 3:03 am
by TOONGA
I have found subaru fuel gauges and the counterpart in the tank don't talk to each other they talk to a 3rd party in the car. then this 3rd party must decide what sort of mood it is in and if it even wants to pass the information on.
you will find you fuel gauge will sit just above half for quite a while, then once it drops below the half it will really seem like you have a fuel leak or some one has syphoned your tank
TOONGA
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 9:03 am
by steptoe
Accurate only at the end in my experience, everywhere else in between is like dipping a stick in the filler neck to gauge depth and volume.And they seem to be able to change at times. One of mine chose to do so after fitting twin carbs. Only 100km or so up the highway and needle chose to drop to half mark from a recent fill causing some concern as to why I hooked up twins, the extra grunt was not worth the fuel loss. Yet it all turned out fine

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 12:36 pm
by mud_king91
Hahaha i find the stick to be more accurate... used to use that method on my old patrol