Car problem

[Mups]

A strange thing happened yesterday, and I would appreciate your thoughts please.

I don't let my little Fiat's petrol tank get any lower than half full, and then top it up to full again.
I did this yesterday,  but as I drove home I noticed the petrol guage was still on the half-way mark.

I carried on driving, but when I arrived home,  I checked again, and it was still only showing half a tank.

I don't know why that would be?   The tank isn't leaking else I would see it on my driveway.
Could there be a problem inside the petrol tank?   Do I need to get it looked at do you think?

[Raven]

Could be the needles stuck. Let your fuel drop below half and it might free it.

[Scrumpy]

Or you might have topped up some-one else's tank..!!

It could just be stuck.. as Raven said.. 

[JBR]

I think the needle must be stuck, or perhaps the float in the tank.
After all, it is a Fart... er, sorry, a Fiat.

[dextrous63]

You leave Mups' little Fix It Again  Tomorrow alone JB.

Probably the float, already suggested.  Changes are that when the tank gets to below half full, the float will dislodge itself and be fine afterwards.

[Mups]

Thanks for the advice folks.

I had to go out this afternoon,  and when I had been driving a while,  the petrol guage needle moved up to where it should have been,  so looks like you were right, and its the float in the tank sticking.

I hope it doesn't keep on doing it though,  else I shall never know how much petrol I've got in there.

Thanks again.

[dextrous63]

Google petrol tank float.  They're not exactly the most expensive thing to replace.  Guesstimate £100 supplied and fitted, if needs be. 

[Mups]

It's the labour that costs so much, Dex.

Presumably the petrol tank would have to come off and be drained,  so its not something I could do, it would have to be a garage job.  

I will enquire when I next go into town.

[dextrous63]

What model car Mups?

[Mups]

What model car Mups?

A little Fiat Panda, Dex.

[Diasi]

It's the labour that costs so much, Dex.

The garage that I use, on the very rare occasion, charge £80 an hour for labour.

I had a clip, that cost £3.65, put on a CV joint boot & it cost me £120. 

[Mups]

The garage that I use, on the very rare occasion, charge £80 an hour for labour.

I had a clip, that cost £3.65, put on a CV joint boot & it cost me £120.

Blimey,  how on earth can anyone justify that!   That's a disgrace.
Is that including VAT?

[dextrous63]

Blimey,  how on earth can anyone justify that!  That's a disgrace.
Is that including VAT?

I think they need a new kettle, as the old one seems to be taking ages to boil, ready to make the brew.