Moss Motors, Ltd

I noticed that as I drive, the indicator needle on my fuel gauge gradually moves closer to the "E" mark. Does "E" stand for enough? At any rate, it's the stock, Smith's gauge and sender unit for a '68 Sprite.

I have to actually add petrol every 170 miles or so. Is this a common problem? I'm concerned because it costs me money every time this happens.

I was thinking of only driving down hills to mitigate this, but in a few short weeks, my vacation will be over and there are actually some hills to climb on my way back to work, so I'd like to solve this soon.

Any suggestions? 

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On their death bed, nobody ever said, "Gee I wish I'd spent more time at work!"

'68 Sprite 1275
'76 Midget 1500

Hi Davey!

I don't have a classic British sportscar, but I do daily drive a 20 year old Miata. My car tells me that the E stands for "Exhausted", while the F stands for "Frolic!" Occasionally I notice that gauge and see she's exhausted, and I need to go to the nearest gas pump to give her approx 9 or 10 gallons of go-juice. As I swipe a card of plastic at this pump, it doesn't cost me money - I am charged dollar units that later I transfer from a bank account to this card account. If she and I have been Frolicking "responsibly" we can do that for about 200 miles.

So, no real suggestions for you, but perhaps you can glean something from my experiences?

Christine 

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Christine Knight
Marketing Assistant

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Disclaimer:Working on automobiles is inherently dangerous. Moss Motors, Ltd. is not liable for injury or damage due to incorrect installation or use of their products. All products are sold with the understanding that the safe and proper installation and use of the products is the customer’s responsibility. Follow factory workshop manual procedures and instructions, but use current shop safety standards and common sense. Some tasks will require professional advice or services which Moss Motors cannot provide.

Davey-

Drive backward to work and forward on the way home. The odometer won't change so you won't be using any petrol.

 

I thought everyone knew this!

 

LCJUTILA 

Davey-

Here's another thought...

 

We all walked seven miles in the snow up hill both ways to school and back when we were kids so somewhere out there there's got to be a down hill both ways route, all you've got to do is find it and take it. No doubt it's the road less traveled.

 

LCJUTILA 

Davey-

One more thought... When I was a kid I had a 67 Sprite that had the same fuel gauge problem. On the other hand, my Mother's 73 Buick Century  (Identical to the car Kojac drove on the T.V. show back then) did not. Every time I "Borrowed" her car for a joy ride I'd bring it back empty, but miraculously, the next time I would "Borrow" it the tank would be full!

I wonder where I could get one of those cars nowadays. 

 

LCJUTILA 

lcjutila:

Davey-

Drive backward to work and forward on the way home. The odometer won't change so you won't be using any petrol.

Not so fast! those fiendish boffins at Smiths had that loophole covered by their cunning ratchet link mechanism... you'll only add miles and use more petrol.

What I want to know is when classic petrol will be available for our cars (at classic prices). N.O.S. BP anyone? Of course I expect greenshield stamps too

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I want my MGB