Does Low Fuel + Hard Cornering = Fuel Starvation?

[elnevio]

Not had it before, but on two occasions in two days earlier this week, not long after my fuel light had come on, after a little bit of 'roundabout action', upon hitting WOT off said roundabouts, I got what I thought could have been fuel cut! It was a brief stutter, like the power was turned off for about half a second. And fine thereafter.

Mine is presently unmodified and makes steady boost of about 8-9psi, and the weather at the time was, well, average!

So I'm guessing it's not fuel cut (have never experienced it before to be sure), so I assume I got some momentary starvation due to fuel sloshing to one side of the tank and therefore away from the fuel pick-up.

The surprising thing is that when I filled up about 10 miles later, I only put in 54 litres to the top, and there have been several occasions where I have put in around 58, but not previously had this happen! Also, on the second occasion of the two incidents, it wasn't until about half a mile up the bypass when I hit WOT and got the symptoms. Could the air bubble have taken that long to get through the fuel lines?!

Tried recreating it since refuelling, to no avail, but much fun, hence I now need another trip to the petrol station!

Any thoughts? Comments along the lines of "I would never let my fuel level get that low" will however be greeted with much pannage ...

[Kieran]

Yes, that's quite common to have a brief bit of fuel starvation. Getting in 54 liters is quite some going - I normally can only get about 52 litres in though usually I stop as soon as the 'FEED ME!!!' light comes on. The other thing to remember is that whilst you've had the tank lower, it could have been that the remainder of the fuel was the other side of the 'hump' in the petrol tank - There's two pickps on the fuel system to deal with this.

[Eurospec]

I've had a vr4 run out of fuel on the dyno! No Light and still showing an 1/8th of a tank. Wouldnt be surprised at all to see this kind of thing.

Cheers,

Ben.

[Nevman]

I had a similar situation under hard acceleration but the warning light on my dash was screaming for a good few miles before.
More details here:
http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33260

[elnevio]

Trouble is, the 'FEED ME!!!' light comes on a bit too soon after the previous sating... eek!

[Nevman]

Ever since that happened, my rule is:
Always fill it all the way up and search for petrol station after 150 miles.
I don't want to experience that moment any more

[stuartturbo]

WOT up hill is another fuel low warning lol
filled mine today 56ltrs always put over 55plus in mine if I'm local

[elnevio]

WOT up hill is another fuel low warning lol
filled mine today 56ltrs always put over 55plus in mine if I'm local

Good lad!

[bradc]

The main pickup is on the drivers side towards the front so yes it is possible to go around a roundabout quickly and upset things.

[elnevio]

Ah-ha! Both times were on fairly large roundabouts with a good few seconds in one go turning right under the influence of some healthy Gs!

[pitslayer]

usually only get 40 litres in, i dont let mine go past 1/4 tank

[elnevio]

usually only get 40 litres in, i dont let mine go past 1/4 tank

Please see first post:



That is all.

[GalantOnly]

Elnevio... Do you have TCL on your car? Because usually hard cornering = TCL action...

[miller]

Nev,

When i was having issued with my float level sensor usually the first indiaction i had of low fuel was 'bucking' on hard turns/roundabouts, car would feel like a 'fuel cut'


Mike

[elnevio]

Elnevio... Do you have TCL on your car? Because usually hard cornering = TCL action...

Yes I do.

But the first thing I do when I get in the car is turn it off! There are enough fun-extractors in this life as it is. At least I can turn on of them off!!

[Turbo_Steve]

TCL is positively dangerous IMO.....turns a brilliant handling car into an understeering POS that doesn't go fast when you need it to. Grrr.

[Kieran]

Meh, I really don't get why TCL gets such a drumming, I actually like the fact that it will reign in the car before you've got chance to get into big trouble.... Mind you, it depends on what you're used to; TBH nearly three years later my thoughts haven't really changed from those I posted here:

http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showpos...84&postcount=2

[bradc]

TCL is different to ASC though. Just turn TCL off and have some fun with the car K

[Kieran]

TCL is different to ASC though. Just turn TCL off and have some fun with the car K

I know TCL is different to ASC... What's your point?

[bradc]

I can't see how having TCL gives you such a sense of security with a 4wd car. I can see how ASC could give that security though