Car Nearly Dies

danjo-xx

Are there drainplugs on petrol tanks, eg mazda demio.

Have a problem now and then over the past few weeks with the car when driving usually in towns and suddently it almost dies but recovers. Is grand on the open road.

I am suspecting the petrol tank (bad or contaminated petrol) I noticed that inside the petrol flap it looks white and corroded looking. I'm wondering if something was put into it or could it even be rain entry.

Dont have a locking cap on it just a cheap filler cap.


The petrol gauge is wonkie and only shows frolm have full to full but not below. It feels like a lack of juice but when I top up all it takes is about €22 so the tank can't have been nearly empty.

Seems to only happen when the needle gets to this half way spot on the dial so that is why i'm suspecting bad juice in tank below this level.

Was thinking of flushing it out but am I on the right track at all.:(

Tom Slick

You should be able to remove the fuel pump/fuel gauge sender unit from the top of the tank and check that out.
Not familiar with this particular vehicle, but that's where I'd start.
Obviously, be careful when working around fuel.

techie

Start with the basics first, replace the cheap filler cap with the proper type for the car as all tanks are pressurised so a cheap filler cap will not tend to this properly.

danjo-xx

Tom Slick wrote: »

You should be able to remove the fuel pump/fuel gauge sender unit from the top of the tank and check that out.
Not familiar with this particular vehicle, but that's where I'd start.
Obviously, be careful when working around fuel.

Tom thanks for replying. I'm trying to understand this sender unit, in how stuff works.... can you tell me does it control or effect the flow of petrol from the tank.

Tom Slick

There could be a known problem with this particular car.
I don't know enough to give further advice.
The layout of the fuel tank may be different to cars I am familiar with.

mumof2

Is it a demio or a mazda 2?

(may not be relevant, but all info helps - I had a mazda 2 after trading in a demio, and it was a 1 yr old car. I had to return the mazda 2 on numerous occasions as the float in the petrol tank wasn't working/reliable).

they couldn't solve/fix it, and gave my money back with another car.

danjo-xx

There could be a known problem with this particular car.
I don't know enough to give further advice.
The layout of the fuel tank may be different to cars I am familiar with.

10yr old and I've never had a fuel problem. 12months ago the fuel sender unit became faulty and only lowers to half way. (but this shouldn't prevent the outflow of petrol).

So far....the problem only seems to happen when tank is below the half way level. This is all I can pinpoint at present. Might not be a fuel problem at all I dunno.

Is it a demio or a mazda 2?

Mazda Demio, 1999

Appreciate your help guys.

Would it be worth getting a diagonestic test done?

Tom Slick

Do you know what is preventing the fuel gauge float (or whatever) from functioning correctly?
Is the mechanism sticking or does it just not register below halfway?

danjo-xx

Tom Slick wrote: »

Do you know what is preventing the fuel gauge float (or whatever) from functioning correctly?
Is the mechanism sticking or does it just not register below halfway?

Haven't a clue but tbh with you I can live without the fuel gauge working.... my priority is with the sudden loss of power and it feels to me its a temporary lack of fuel for whatever reason.