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MG MGA - Fuel Guage - Slow Flutter

Today I noticed that my fuel guage was moving between 1/2 and empty. Tank is known to be slightly less than 1/2 full (I hope!) Not a fast, back and forth jittery movement, but a slow up and then down and then up again, a 3 - 4 second cycle. Seems to happen at lower RPMs. Is this a voltage regulator issue?
Steven B

There is no electrical damping in the MGA fuel gauge, so it will "flutter" in harmony with fuel sloshing in the tank. The gauge has a balanced magnetic coil mechanism that is quite stable over a wide range of system voltage, so it should not be noticeably affected by variations in generator output or battery voltage. That is, it should not flutter when the car is sitting still.






Barney Gaylord

Some of us "down under" carry a piece of wooden dowel in the boot (trunk) to give peace of mind on whether there is enough fuel in the tank to get home rather than rely on the fuel guage only ( it is a good way to be sure).
Mike
Mike Ellsmore

Mike,

Easy on a MG TF, but a bit difficult on a MGA to get an accurate level.

Mick
Mick Anderson

I never rely on just the gauge. I always reset my trip meter when I fill up and go by the milage indicated on the trip meter. Started this habit while riding motorcycles and continued it driving cars. Works especially well on the MGT cars. Have a good day!

John
John Progess

John,
Good idea, but I'm betting there's a lot of cars out there on which the trip meter is inop!

GTF
G T Foster

Mick,
The dowel does go to the bottom of the tank and because of the filler pipe bend always ends up the same angle so it is easy to mark empty and full (bottom of filler pipe) and divide into four or eight, more accurate than the float and rheostat I would venture. Easier on an MGA than a modern car!
Mike
Mike Ellsmore

This thread was discussed between 22/04/2008 and 25/04/2008

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