Gas Capacity
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach NY
Gas Capacity
I just filled my gas tank in my 1993 Convertible The gauge showed about 2-3 bars. This is lower than I usually go. Since I was so low I was curious about how much it would take to fill so I filled to the brim. Amount filled on the receipt was 20.013 gallons. My car did not stall or stumble ran fine. No low fuel lights were on. I even sat there for 5 min or so waiting on line. This is at the station I often use a BJs with 12 pumps or so.
Any one have any thoughts on this?? In the past with other cars including my '86 Coupe I never filled more than 15-16 gallons and never ran until the warning light came on. I always thought the warning would come on at 3 or so gallons which is close to where I thought I was at..
Barrier
Thia was posted in the wrong section so I reposted.
To those who answered thanks for responses.
If mods can move the original from the ZR section please do.
Any one have any thoughts on this?? In the past with other cars including my '86 Coupe I never filled more than 15-16 gallons and never ran until the warning light came on. I always thought the warning would come on at 3 or so gallons which is close to where I thought I was at..
Barrier
Thia was posted in the wrong section so I reposted.
To those who answered thanks for responses.
If mods can move the original from the ZR section please do.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 336
Likes: 93
From: San Antonio TX
Should be 20 gallons. The fact that the car was still running indicates to me that you still had a gallon or so in the tank. I wonder if the dispensing pump is accurate. They have been known to charge for more gas than pumped...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 33
From: Charlotte Michigan
Mine had one bar when I filled it last week and took just under 16 gallons. If I recall last year I had no bars and it tookjust over 18-18.2 gallons.
I'm sure they all may vary!I
I'm sure they all may vary!I
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,216
Likes: 117
From: San Antonio Texas
Siphoned what little I had in my tank once, (don't remember what I was doing now) and just out of curiosity I refilled it one gal at a time and checked the gauge till it was almost full. Mine read one bar per gal. from empty to about 12 or 13 gal. Wasn't so accurate on the full side, but that's ok cause you know when you have plenty. Low reserve light comes on between 3 & 4 bars (gal.) depending on how level you are. Pretty accurate on the low side
which is the end you need the best info on anyway. Guess I got a good one!
which is the end you need the best info on anyway. Guess I got a good one!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,474
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
I just filled my gas tank in my 1993 Convertible The gauge showed about 2-3 bars. This is lower than I usually go. Since I was so low I was curious about how much it would take to fill so I filled to the brim. Amount filled on the receipt was 20.013 gallons. My car did not stall or stumble ran fine. No low fuel lights were on. I even sat there for 5 min or so waiting on line. This is at the station I often use a BJs with 12 pumps or so.
Any one have any thoughts on this?? In the past with other cars including my '86 Coupe I never filled more than 15-16 gallons and never ran until the warning light came on. I always thought the warning would come on at 3 or so gallons which is close to where I thought I was at..
Barrier
Thia was posted in the wrong section so I reposted.
To those who answered thanks for responses.
If mods can move the original from the ZR section please do.
Any one have any thoughts on this?? In the past with other cars including my '86 Coupe I never filled more than 15-16 gallons and never ran until the warning light came on. I always thought the warning would come on at 3 or so gallons which is close to where I thought I was at..
Barrier
Thia was posted in the wrong section so I reposted.
To those who answered thanks for responses.
If mods can move the original from the ZR section please do.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,474
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
My Ford Excursion has been rated at 44 gallons. I have put 46. I don't think they rate it for max volume. I think it is rated for when the pump clicks off. In my Excursion, I have cut a vent shorter and can pump 1 gallon more after it clicks when I push and wiggle the rear end. Same thing with the Vette. I tease the fuel in.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
My Cherokee has a tank vent mod that permits me to load 5 gals more than the rated 20 gal capacity.
It doesn't really like that in the hot summer when the fuel starts to expand.
It doesn't really like that in the hot summer when the fuel starts to expand.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 191
From: Shit Creek, USA
Filled up Sunday. Three bars, no "reserve" warning, 17.2 gallons.
Seems about right.
I try not to drive it to reserve, as the fuel functions to cool the fuel pump. If the fuel pump is not fully submerged, it's not getting proper cooling.
Having said that, I totally overlooked fuel levels in all the excitement and nearly ran out of gas on the NCM Motorsports Park course.
One bar and RESERVE as I hit the final straight.
Don't recall how much that fill took, but I bought a couple gallons of race gas on the track just to get me to the nearest Shell.
Seems about right.
I try not to drive it to reserve, as the fuel functions to cool the fuel pump. If the fuel pump is not fully submerged, it's not getting proper cooling.
Having said that, I totally overlooked fuel levels in all the excitement and nearly ran out of gas on the NCM Motorsports Park course.
One bar and RESERVE as I hit the final straight.
Don't recall how much that fill took, but I bought a couple gallons of race gas on the track just to get me to the nearest Shell.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,474
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
If that were true, you'll be vaporizing your fuel more than it could normally. I'd also be buying pumps every day since none of my cars gets pumped up till the needle is firmly on empty.
PS. Tom400CFI ran a pump for over 45 minutes with no fuel to test. An old pump and without fuel so the motor might be running faster than it was supposed to be, not sure if that is an issue. As long as there is fuel running through the pump, it probably is good. When there is none for a length of time, engine dies and pump stops.
Last edited by aklim; Jul 18, 2017 at 10:52 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 239
From: Venice Cali.
I wouldn't drill any holes in the tank it has a vent just fill a little slower.
Last edited by xrav22; Jul 18, 2017 at 07:53 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,474
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach NY
Thanks for all the Responses. Aklim I think you might be on to something. I never have read or checked whether listed capacity is maximum for tank. I did try to fill up as high as it would go. Perhaps the amount on the gauge is not the problem but the lack of low fuel warning
is. I will search for fuses or bulbs relating to that.
I don't think I will test by running until it dies. This is not my DD, just my Toy. I will just make sure I never reach that point.
I also think that the contacts in the Tank might be dirty and not reading correctly. In my '99FRC there was a problem with the Fuel Gauge not working correctly. At that time GM solution was to add Techron regularly to keep contacts clean on the sensors. The C5 has twin saddle Tanks the Techron did not cure but it helped for a while. They also suggested using Top Tier Fuel.
Barrier
is. I will search for fuses or bulbs relating to that.
I don't think I will test by running until it dies. This is not my DD, just my Toy. I will just make sure I never reach that point.
I also think that the contacts in the Tank might be dirty and not reading correctly. In my '99FRC there was a problem with the Fuel Gauge not working correctly. At that time GM solution was to add Techron regularly to keep contacts clean on the sensors. The C5 has twin saddle Tanks the Techron did not cure but it helped for a while. They also suggested using Top Tier Fuel.
Barrier
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,218
Likes: 1,174
From: Southlake, TX
If your gauge is reading, but incorrectly, I'll bet you have dirty contacts.
I cleaned mine last Friday and it made a huge difference-- everything works now and in proportion.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 33
From: Charlotte Michigan
Akim, yes it would be taken out to drill a hole slightly higher. Bur could start with just enlarging hole too! Of course if you wish to drill it while attached to the tank you could risk getting metal shavings in your tank, but you may hear a big boom and than you may never have to worry about filling your tank again!