How does the extra auto fuel tank work?

[dfnder]

The other day I ran my fuel tank to the lowest level ever and yet the fuel light never came on, I was at the 420km mark and it took 48L to fill up. When does the fuel light normally come on and how does the extra fuel tank work? I have no idea as normally there is a manual switch with the vehicles I'm familiar with.

[konadog]

Not sure about when the low fuel lamp should come on (5 liters-ish... ) - but I do know the two tanks on the autos are effectively one tank with one draining into the other so there is no switch and no reserve. There are "2" tanks because the space under the bus did not allow for a single 75 liter tank

[FalcoColumbarius]

Not completely sure exactly how the fuel system works but what I do know is that the automatic transmission models hold 75 litres of diesel and are a single fuel system, as opposed to "switching tanks". My light comes on at around the 58 litre mark, leaving me with 15~17 litres of fuel. The most fuel I have filled in one go is 68 litres and I have never run her dry.

Falco.

[fishslapper]

The light usually comes on with 15 ltrs of fuel left..
so it acts like a reserve . When the light comes on you can get about another 70-1000km


Anybody have any more exact measurements ?? This is just a rough guide.

cheers

[konadog]

This is just a rough guide.

70 - 1000 km!? Rough guide indeed

[FalcoColumbarius]

LOL

[dfnder]

Thanks for the clarification, I'm assuming that the 70-1000K is someone with a WVO setup lol

[FalcoColumbarius]

I think Fishslapper's zero finger got the better of him. I think he meant 70-100 kilometres. Personally I think it would be more. In the city I get 8.5 kilometres to the litre. On the highway it is more like 11 kilometres.

• 15x8.5= 128
  15x11= 165

So 128 to 165 kilometres, depending on how you are driving and what the driving conditions are. Typically I don't go that far with out filling, besides less fuel could mean more condensation in the tanks.

Falco.

[nishby]

I did the fuel light experiment on Friday on a drive to Toronto. When my light came on it took 65L to fill it. The extra 10L is nice insurance.
Of course, it was WAY past the E on the gauge. It seems to take about 50-55L when I hit the E.

[fishslapper]

hahahahaha !! yes the zero finger got stuck !! I think some smoke must have been in my eyes !! very funny......


I did not want to say more than 70-100 km after the fuel light and get some poor delica club member mad because they were out of fuel at 99 kms after the fuel light came on.

My delica takes 50-55 liters when on "E" as well.

cheers isaac

[knight]

All I can suggest is that it is less than 200km in city driving. I found this out while doing a trip to Calgary. I ran out of diesel while looking for a station in minus 16. My wife will never let me forget that mistake as she sat in the van while I ran around trying to find a station. Once I did get some more fuel in the van it started up okay no problems, always thought that I would have to bleed the fuel pump if I ran out, guess running out and running dry are two different things.

[Dave]

Hmm, me thinks my fuel gauge might be under reading somewhat after reading this. I've never had my fuel light come on (don't trust em after having to walk to find a petrol station with my old car! ) but it's been very close to 'E' on a few occasions and I've never put more than 48 litres in

Good to know the tank is much larger than I initially thought! (assumed it was around the 55 litre mark, going by the gauge)

[FalcoColumbarius]

Automatic Transmission: 75 litres
Manual Transmission: 65 litres
Gasoline/Petrol Version: 56 litres

This data came from the New Zealand English translation of the Japanese manual for the Delica, that Jay & Christine possess.

Falco.

[Dave]

Ah, cool, that's good to know. Cheers. I've got a manual so I guess I've only got 65

[Green1]

always thought that I would have to bleed the fuel pump if I ran out, guess running out and running dry are two different things.

apparently there is a float in the tank that will block the fuel line when you run out of fuel, this prevents air from getting in to the line and therefore you don't need to prime the pump if you run out of fuel (more of the subtle, yet ingenious design of these vehicles)