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MG TD TF 1500 - How do you use your fuel tank dipstick?

Maybe I'm being somewhat anal here but how do you use your fuel dipstick in a TD tank?

I understand that it's use is just a rough estimate of fuel availability but it annoys me to think I am not getting a proper reading.

There appears to be two positions possible when inserting the dipstick to the bottom.
On my tank, if you put it more or less straight down you hit a seam or ridge near the bottom but if you angle it a little towards the back it will go down a bit further giving you a second reading.

Any comments would be appreciated.

bfacey@cogeco.ca
B.J. Facey

I angle it back so it goes all the way to the bottom.

Probably a lot more accurate as it is physically measuring the level versus the liquid displacing a float connected to an arm that wipes a resistor.

I trust mine, drove until it said a little over a gallon left, then drained the tank to fit a drain valve.

Peter
P G Gilvarry

Tilt it toward the back slightly as Peter said, that will take it to the bottom of the tank. Your low fuel lamp should come on at 3 gals left in the tank. I have a self made stick and made a ledge on it at the top that rests on the edge of the filler opening ehrn ots fully inserted.
CR Tyrell

If you're thinking about making a 'calibrated' dipstick, take a look at the attached pdf.

David
David Padgett

MG Club of Ontario published a scale in USG and liters, it is out there somewhere.

I used that, calibrated every gallon from 0-5, then every 5USG to 15. I have a drain piece in the neck of the tank, but I still only fill to about 13 gallon mark.

If I find the scale I will publish it.

Peter
P G Gilvarry

Thanks, David, but are those USGallons? Bud
Bud Krueger

I set my odometer to zero every time I fill up. When I get to about 180-200 miles it's time to look for a gas station.
I still carry it but my dip stick has been dry for about 10 years.
Mort Resnicoff

Thank you all who responded. Always informative.
B. Facey 18272
B.J. Facey

Bud, I assume you are asking about the four 'boxed' numbers. They are the lengths (in cm's) of each section of the dipstick which define the 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and 'full' points of the total capacity of the tank, being 57litres or 15USgallons.

Multiply the 'litre' values shown on the vertical left-hand scale, by 0.264 to convert to US gallons, at each point.
David Padgett

Service garages used to give these away. Jud




J K Chapin

The rest of the stick. Jud




J K Chapin

I actually rely on the warning light to start flickering. When it stops flickering and remains on, together with the Odometer reading it gives me sufficient warning to start looking for a gas station.
I stopped using my dipstick which was an only old piece of wood anyway and I never knew where to put the smelly thing after use.
When I do a visual check, the filler opening is big enough to shine a light (not a lighter ,-) down the tank and see if there is still fuel inside.
Not a precise science, I admit, but It works…
Mike Fritsch

This thread was discussed between 20/02/2022 and 27/02/2022

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