Fuel petcock

[D-50Dave]

I was running low on gas on the way home from work, and waiting for it to sputter and have to switch to reserve. It never did, went way past the point I'm used to on the fuel gauge. I put over 4.4 gallons in. Is there something wrong I can fix, or does it need to be replaced? Thanx, Dave

 

[dan filipi]

Could it be it was already moved to reserve? I’ve done that.

 

[D-50Dave]

Nope. I would move it to reserve when I came to a red light (3 or 4 times in a 1/2 hr. ride) and switch it back down when leaving.

 

[dan filipi]

At 4.4 gallons I think it was very close to going on reserve. On a hill it probably would have sputtered.
Only way to know for sure if reserve is working is to run it down. Could hook up an electric fuel pump at home.
More fun would be to take a full gas can along on a ride out in the country and run it down.

 

[mcgovern61]

4.4 gallons would be my normal before hitting reserve.

 

[AApple]

Aboot 4.5 on my '81 it would be time to flip the lever to reserve...around 180 miles, iirc.

 

[D-50Dave]

Ok. I thought it was about 4, but I rarely let it get that low. It may have been a couple of years since I last let it "sputter".
Thanx, Dave