> 3.Did pre-96 cars have a 50 litre tank?

The above line is taken from the SIDC FAQ and I was wondering if anyone knew the answer?

I've just picked up a late '94 (is this a MY94 or MY95?) 5-dr Turbo and had initially thought the fuel guage was very conservative, as my first fill-up only took 30litres from the 1/4 mark, my 3rd and latest fillup from just below the 0/4 line took 42litres. I'd assumed I had 60litres to play with and was planning to run this tank right off the guage (having heard talk of getting the needle pointing at the 'E').

I'm also assuming I'm filling the tank as full as it will go, as the needle just goes off the top of the guage when 'full'.

 

I,ve seen this question posed before and have to confess to not entirely understanding the point of it (<I>unless your fuel tank is damaged and you need to order a new one</I>)?

Surely once it is full, it is full. At that point simply drive until it tells you it's empty then fill it up again.

The best way to actually test it, though I wouldn't risk it myself, would be to carry a spare can of petrol fill the car to brimming, then drive until it goes below empty and runs out/starts coughing.

Put the can of fuel in, then go and fill up and see how much it will take. This obviously will tell you:

a) How much fuel it will take from empty.
b) How accurate your fuel gauge is.

If you have a car which you think should take 60 litres but you only ever manage to get 50 in, this may shed some light on it.

But like I said earlier.... 'Once it's full' that's it.

Mike.

 

I don't think it is a good idea to run your car until empty. I am sure I read somewhere (Redline Magazine?) about this being a good way to kill your car as it will suck lots of dirt into your cars system (very technical).

Like the man said if its full its full. Anyway it doesn't stay that way for long does it!

 

If it helps ...
My translation of the owners manual for cars from 1993~1998 states

"Fuel Tank Capacity: All types except Turbo models: Unleaded gasoline 50 ltr

Turbo Models: Premium Unleaded gasoline: 60 ltr

Bob

 

From page 11-4 of my MY94 manual:
"Capacities 50 Liter (13.2 US Gal, 11.0 Imp Gal)
I hope this helps.

 

I have a '95 WRX, and can state with some certainty that it has a (nominal) 50ltr tank. Immediately after its last service I deliberately ran it dry to test the fuel tank capacity (a bit dangerous, I admit, but I wanted a definitive answer for my car).

When it stopped I put in a 5ltr can I had in the boot (no problems starting it again), drove it 2.4mls to a garage with 98, and filled it up until I could see it at the top of the filler neck, and the pump read 49.4lts.

Which, to me, says the tank (excluding filler neck, etc) is a nominal 50lts.

 

I have a Dec 94 UK 4 Door turbo. The manual says all models have a 50 litre tank [b]except</B> the turbo which has a 60 litre. With the gauge below the middle bar of the 'E' I've got around 57/8 litres in (I was driving very carefully by the time I got to the petrol station !)

Dean

 

Which page of the manual are you looking at?

 

I have a MY94 WRX and regularly fill with 50-52 litres, but have never managed more than 55 even when it ran out one night!

 

I thought it was impossible to drag up dirt etc from the bottom of the tank because even if you splutter to a halt there is still a bit of petrol left at the very bottom of the tank containing all the c**p - its designed this way to stop it going through the system.

 

The Back cover is taken up by a box labled "GAS STATION REFERENCE"

Under Fuels it states
Non-Turbo models: Unleaded 95 Octane or higher if poss or 90 if unavailable.

Turbo models: Unleaded 95 Octane or higher

Fuel Capacity:
Non Turbo models: 50 liters (13.2 US gal, 11.0 Imp gal)
Turbo models: 60 liters (15.9 US gal, 13.2 Imp gal)

This is repeated inside on page 11-4 "Specifications - Capacites - Fuel Tank"

The owners manual was issued September 1994 A according to the back cover. If I had a scanner I'd scan it and load a pic but I haven't so I can't.

I didn't think they were trying to fool anyone ....

Regards

Dean

 

My Dec '93 manual doesn't have the panel on the back cover you describe. My car is Jun '94 so was the tank changed or just the manual?

 

Dave (Hutton).

Nice bike (134 bhp) Excellent.

If you get a metal petrol can, they usually have a lower sihouette than plastic ones and fit loads of velco (the hooked portion) to the base of the can.

Simply place the can in a corner of the boot and job done.

Mike.