What is a petrol surge tank used for?

A petrol surge tank is a small fuel tank that is used to store a reserve supply of fuel for a petrol engine. It is typically located in the engine bay, and is connected to the main fuel tank by a fuel line. The purpose of a surge tank is to provide a steady flow of fuel to the engine, even if the main fuel tank is running low or if the fuel level in the main tank is sloshing around. This can help to prevent the engine from stalling or surging.

Surge tanks are often used in high-performance vehicles, as well as in vehicles that are used in off-road or racing applications. They can also be used in vehicles that have a long fuel line, or in vehicles that are prone to fuel starvation.

Surge tanks typically have a capacity of between 1 and 5 gallons, and they are typically made of aluminium or plastic. They are usually equipped with a float sensor, which sends a signal to the fuel pump when the fuel level in the surge tank is low. The fuel pump then draws fuel from the main fuel tank and fills the surge tank.

Surge tanks can help to improve the performance and reliability of a petrol engine. They can also help to prevent the engine from stalling or surging, and they can provide a reserve supply of fuel in case the main fuel tank runs out.