V50 General : 2005 V50 2.0D cut out at 1/4 tank?

[Oakers03]

Hi Guys,

Been trawling the interweb for my issue so thought I'd ask people who may have a clue! My V50 cuts out as though is it starved of fuel at around 1/4 tank... happened about 5 times now so I'm rarely letting it go below 1/2 tank which as you imagine it is frustrating when I am only getting 33miles/gal (Another issue that needs addressing).

The high pressure fuel pump was replaced by a second hand one around 8 months ago and I dropped the fuel tank out to have a look for any debree, and the condition of the fuel sender. Fuel tank was fine with no signs of water and the fuel sender unit measured perfect for resistance, along with being squeeky clean. Fully serviced a month ago by myself with all new filters.

Unfortunately upon dropping out the tank, the tube from the fuel sender got caught and snapped the nozzle off that takes the fuel from the tank to the pump... repaired it with super glue and 2 part epoxy but on putting it back together this morning but it looks as though the repair job failed with the engine struggling to start... though i did let the fuel run as low as possible before dropping the tank out so 10 more litres of fuel may solve the problem (which still leaves the original problem).

Got a sender unit from ebay coming this week to make it a proper repair but may aswell top it with diesel and see if it is just starved again.

Any help on this would do me the world of good, this car has caused me nothing but issues wince owning it, to the point that I can't imagine anything else going wrong!

[Bloders2]

i dont understand your question.
you have posted a question, and then it appears you have answered it yourself, reasonable fully??
its the fuel pickup not extending to teh bottom of the tank!

[Bendolfc]

These engines don't have a self priming pump so if it actually does run out, it won't start without adding a hand pump and priming. Instead the software gives the effect of being empty when it isn't. Might be worth disconnecting the battery for a few mins and reconnecting - might recalibrate some sensors.

[Oakers03]

Thanks for your reply!

That would make sense, though it seemed to be fully functioning when I had it out yesterday. Will compare it to the one I have coming this week but surely there is no real way of seeing if it does reach the bottom of the tank is there? Also, I expected there to be some sort of gauze or filter on the bottom of the sender unit but there didn't appear to be anything? Is this really correct for this component?

[Oakers03]

Bendolfc, I have installed a hand priming pump from my fuel filter to the high pressure pump for this reason. The engine started after putting it back together and ran for about 15 seconds before cutting out. It then fired up a few more times before my battery went flat (even with a booster on) while priming then starting, priming and starting. I will add 10 litres later and get a full charged booster on it and it may well work.

[x DTR x]

My 2005 V50 runs out of fuel when it gets to just under quarter of a tank. But when i put about 30 litres in, it shows a full tank! Something not right there if anyone can explain that?

[Bungo]

Originally Posted by x DTR x

My 2005 V50 runs out of fuel when it gets to just under quarter of a tank. But when i put about 30 litres in, it shows a full tank! Something not right there if anyone can explain that?

You have a faulty sender unit.

[Oakers03]

Exactly the same as my issue! Still 17 litres in the tank atleast!! New sender unit here this week so hopefully wil sort the problem. No idea how a faulty sender unit would have that effect though as I was still able to suck the diesel through which tells me the sender unit is still in the diesel and therefore should still deliver the fuel

[Oakers03]

UPDATE

Replaced the fuel sender unit and all seems to be solved. Ran it doen to 20 miles remaining and its all good. Must have been a crack somewhere letting air in or a dodgey connection that was rectified on the refit.

Cheers all

[Bungo]

Originally Posted by Oakers03

UPDATE

Replaced the fuel sender unit and all seems to be solved. Ran it doen to 20 miles remaining and its all good. Must have been a crack somewhere letting air in or a dodgey connection that was rectified on the refit.

Cheers all

Nothing to do with cracks and air or dodgy connections. It's just a worn out variable resistor contact, which is integral of the sender unit, a common fault on sender units in general.
Happy to hear it's all sorted