techristian

The last time I had my C5 out (9 days ago) it was 3/4 full. Our temperatures dropped to -5 fahrenheit so I went out today to start it up. It ran for 10 minutes and sputtered to a stop. The gas gauge read EMPTY and the display was telling me "FUEL LOW" I picked up 5 gallons from the gas station on the corner and with several pumps of the gas an finally by holding down the gas pedal, I managed to start it up again.

The mystery is this.

The car has a locking gas cap, was locked in a garage with no sign of entry. It sucked up the 5 gallons like it really was empty.

Is it easy to get the locking gas door opened without hitting the button inside?

Can a frozen fuel line produce these symptoms?

Dan

VinnyT

Sounds like your fuel gauge is acting up. Common occurance for the C5's. Fill your tank up with premium and add 2 bottles of Techron from your auto parts store. You have sulfur build-up on the tank sensor.

71vetteinva

Exactly. If the techron doesn't clear it up, then you're looking at a very expensive repair.

Bakersfield

The fuel line can not freeze unless you have a lot of water mixed in with your gas. My 98 gas gauge did the same thing and a couple bottles of Techron fuel additive fixed it. But just to be safe, I would reset the trip meter and track the fuel gauge for a couple hundred miles. Good luck with it.

CCA Corvette Parts

Then keep running it through your fuel system every 3 or 4 tank fulls

Peace
Chip

techristian

Would LUCAS work the same?

Dan

VinnyT

Really not sure. Techron has been proven to help this problem. I would try and get Techron if you can.

V

CRV3TT3

my car would do that when i first bought it but after i think 3 fill ups with techron and havent seen it since!

c5BlackBeauty

and unfortunately, a common problem.

SilverBullit02

Seems like you may have more than one problem. First, see how much gas it takes to fill the tank. Then you will know if it is a bad gauge(sending unit) or if the gas really did disappear. Secondly, a bad wouldn't make the engine shut off (assuming it is only a gauge or sending unit problem). (or would it????) It could be frozen water in a line or the fuel pump (in the tank). But as I said above....you need to see how much gas you actually do have in the tank.

Sawbladz

+1. It also helps to go to fuel stations that always have this additive in their fuel. Shell and Chevron come ot mind off hand. I'm sure there are others.

HG

Do a search for fuel gauge and you'll find a ton of answers and info

Phanni

Texaco also has it (techron) in their gas, at the pump.

Choreo

Sounds like gas gauge - wait until you think you are at a 1/4 tank and it mysteriously jumps to full and you think someone did somthing unmentionable in your tank while you were parked in the lot!.

The water temp gauge is the only one you can usually count on. Oil Pressure works fine until the sensor craps out and and starts showing 130psi and the voltage is always shy of actual voltage by varying amounts.

I am thinking of having a custom cluster insert made that adds the words "Ball-Park Estimate" under each secondary gauge.

Z28Johnny

[QUOTE=Choreo;1568592321]Sounds like gas gauge - wait until you think you are at a 1/4 tank and it mysteriously jumps to full and you think someone did somthing unmentionable in your tank while you were parked in the lot!.[QUOTE=Choreo;1568592321]


That is a lot of unmentionable fluid to fill up 3/4 of a tank

rcknusa

Dan I have tried both for this problem and the Techron is the only one that I can say for sure helped in one tank. If this really the problem I would start with the techron and then can use the lucas. Good luck.

Race Prepared

Do you have a teenage son or daughter?

c5blkvetteguy

Lets hope your car isnt going someplace without you

Vetteman Jack

That would be the first step I would take. If the gas is disappearing, either someone is stealing it (even though you have a locking gas cap installed) or you have one heck of a leak. But you should be able to smell that much gas leaking.

A faulty fuel sending unit should not cause the car to shut off to the best of my knowledge so it could be something blocking the flow of fuel - maybe frozen lines, bad fuel pump or a really clogged fuel filter.

Benpup

I've had mine go to Reserve fuel and MT based on a dirty sensor and the tank has been full. That's a dirty sensoir problem, but I have never had it sputter and stop based on an MT reading. when there is actually gas in the tank. I'd say that there is another problem.