Fuel tank capacity

[DXX]

The filling pump will automatically stop on back pressure to prevent spillage. Unless you carefully brimmed the tank then the tank probably isn’t full.
The tank volume is calculated by the physical dimensions.
Depending if the forecourt / van is level there maybe an airlock in the top of the tank when filling.
Any fluid will thermally expand and contract, see link for Diesel thermal expansion properties. Ideally we’d be buying by mass (Kg) but we buy by volume (L).
I’m not saying that makes up the discrepancies in question, just that you can’t expect to see 79.99L when you fill an empty tank.
I’ve filled some big tanks on ships and the expansion has to be allowed for when going from a temperate region to a tropical region.

Equations of Diesel You Must Know |

Here are a couple of physical equations that can help you understand the importance of diesel and how it affects vehicle performance. Read on to find out more!

www.fueltek.co.uk

 

[DaveCrampton]

The filling pump will automatically stop on back pressure to prevent spillage. Unless you carefully brimmed the tank then the tank probably isn’t full.
The tank volume is calculated by the physical dimensions.
Depending if the forecourt / van is level there maybe an airlock in the top of the tank when filling.
Any fluid will thermally expand and contract, see link for Diesel thermal expansion properties. Ideally we’d be buying by mass (Kg) but we buy by volume (L).
I’m not saying that makes up the discrepancies in question, just that you can’t expect to see 79.99L when you fill an empty tank.
I’ve filled some big tanks on ships and the expansion has to be allowed for when going from a temperate region to a tropical region.

Equations of Diesel You Must Know |

Here are a couple of physical equations that can help you understand the importance of diesel and how it affects vehicle performance. Read on to find out more!

www.fueltek.co.uk

Thanks for the information, my question, if that's what you are helping to answer, was about how to confirm the fuel left in the tank once the range is zero, how many miles/how much fuel is left in the tank.

 

[Salty Spuds]

This might beg the question, is there generally any gunk in the bottom of the tank that might be be sucked in once the tank gets very low?

This isn't aimed at Salty in particular, just a general question.

The pickup is at the bottom of the tank & it gets plenty of “stirring” so I wouldn’t expect any settlement. Any crud should get caught by the fuel filter. If you were a low mileage driver & the van was sat for weeks on end, you might get diesel bug. But I doubt that would happen in normal usage.

 

[Salty Spuds]

Thanks for the information, my question, if that's what you are helping to answer, was about how to confirm the fuel left in the tank once the range is zero, how many miles/how much fuel is left in the tank.

Realistically the only way to equate actual fuel remaining compared to the miles to empty, is to factor in the long term average. The “45” miles remaining is based on how you’ve driven the last 50 miles and assumes that your driving style will be similar. It isn’t a fixed quantity.
E.g. you drive like miss Daisy & your long term average is 45mpg (yes I can get that in my 204DSG 4 mot) when you have 5 litres left, you will get the “bong-45 miles remaining “ message. You then start driving like verstappen & your mpg drops to 25mpg, suddenly your miles to empty drops to 20.
It’s all relative.

 

[DXX]

Thanks for the information, my question, if that's what you are helping to answer, was about how to confirm the fuel left in the tank once the range is zero, how many miles/how much fuel is left in the tank.

I would just avoid getting too low. Without drilling a hole and draining what‘s left there is a way……

https://www.ti.com/lit/an/snaa270/snaa270.pdf?ts=1664663890630&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.google.com%252F

 

[mmi]

Is there a code on the vehicle sticker which shows whether you have the 80 or 70 litre tank ?

The code for 80 litre tank is "0F5". However, not sure if it's printed on van's configuration sticker.

Definitely it's on the build sheet:

https://www.t6forum.com/threads/vip-member-benefit-build-sheet-codes.5583/

EDIT: Link corrected

 

[DaveCrampton]

Hmm no 05F code. Interesting, thanks for the info!

 

[Sturge]

I always wondered if actually had a 80 litre tank as I did spec it 5 years back. It ran really low and I probably did 20 miles on zero. Got 81.67 litres in…. So guess I have a 80 litre tank!

 

[Martinf]

I plotted a graph of displayed ‘Miles to Go’ against the fuel taken, then have Excel calculate a Best Fit line.

The calculation showed zero Miles to Go would take 67.03 litres. Of course there is variation in the points from the line, so I wouldn’t want to try it for real. But it did give me confidence that zero Miles to Go shouldn’t leave me with a completely empty (70l) tank.

 

[DXX]

Lets hope there are no steep hills on the way to the garage then.

 

[DaveCrampton]

Lets hope there are no steep hills on the way to the garage then.

No steep 'UP HILLS'

 

[colinsunbeam]

From todays fill up so least I know I’ve got a good 50 plus miles available from 0 miles on range with a 80 litre tank fitted.

 

[DaveD]

I've seen several cars of different types parked up on the verges recently, people on their phones with panicking faces, probably playing this game too.
I've no idea if our vans fuel systems are self bleeding and I'd rather not find out.