93 c-4 low fuel
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters Mo.
93 c-4 low fuel
First I want to start off by applauding this years funfest. My buddies and I had a great time! We really like the Corvette Forum parking, it was an excellent perk. I would like to suggest moving the helicopter next year. The noise and fuel smell were mildly annoying. Other than that it was great!!!
Now for my question;
I recently had the fuel level in my 93 vette run into the reserve and noticed the car would barely run above a very timid acceleration. It was the typical "cutting out" and "stumbling" associated with running out of fuel. However, the reserve fuel indicator still showed 2 bars and a range of about 40-50 miles. I limped it to the gas station, filled her up, and zoomed off as normal.
Is this normal? has anyone else had this occurr? anything i should be worried about? the car only has 28,xxx miles and wasn't driven very much. any suggestions?
thanks for the forum and thanks in advance for any replies and assistance.
Now for my question;
I recently had the fuel level in my 93 vette run into the reserve and noticed the car would barely run above a very timid acceleration. It was the typical "cutting out" and "stumbling" associated with running out of fuel. However, the reserve fuel indicator still showed 2 bars and a range of about 40-50 miles. I limped it to the gas station, filled her up, and zoomed off as normal.
Is this normal? has anyone else had this occurr? anything i should be worried about? the car only has 28,xxx miles and wasn't driven very much. any suggestions?
thanks for the forum and thanks in advance for any replies and assistance.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 323
Likes: 1
From: Muncie Indiana
One thing comes to mind If the car only has 28k on it it has been stored a lot and when fuel is left in the tank and evaporates it leaves a gummy residue behind. If the care were stored with a very low fuel level for 6month or more then it is possible for the bottom of the fuel pickup in the tank to be clogged. If that were to happen then when your fuel was low the fuel pump would not be able to pick up fuel and yes it would act like it was running out of gas. I had this happen on a Corvair
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Most of us here have come to teh conclusion to not rely on the fuel gauge.
I know my car well enough that I know how many miles before I need to fill up.
Try not to ever let the tank get below 1/4.
As far as your range, I've gone to the point that "LO" came up instead of miles. That can get scary when you are on the highway with no gas stations in sight.
I know my car well enough that I know how many miles before I need to fill up.
Try not to ever let the tank get below 1/4.
As far as your range, I've gone to the point that "LO" came up instead of miles. That can get scary when you are on the highway with no gas stations in sight.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
My "89" L98 Vette does the same thing when low on fuel. Two bars on the fuel gauge are lit and the "Reserve" light comes on and goes off.
The other day I pushed my luck to far and ran out of fuel 100 yards from the Chevron station.
Normally my Vette can go 280 miles before it starts to stumble but, after noticing that the fuel gauge still had 3 bars lit and the reserve indicator never came on, I decided to fill up the next morning but, at 293 miles it ran out of fuel.
The other day I pushed my luck to far and ran out of fuel 100 yards from the Chevron station.
Normally my Vette can go 280 miles before it starts to stumble but, after noticing that the fuel gauge still had 3 bars lit and the reserve indicator never came on, I decided to fill up the next morning but, at 293 miles it ran out of fuel.
Last edited by GKK; Sep 25, 2004 at 11:01 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Originally Posted by bodi168
I limped it to the gas station, filled her up, and zoomed off as normal.
How much gas went in? C4s have a 20 gallon fuel tank, but the pickup is too high, and the gas tank is too poorly designed, to get all 20 out.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,823
Likes: 0
From: Port Orange Florida
Ya know I was gonna ask this question tonight........lol
Mine hit the reserve with two bars...It said about 40ish miles left.get anywhere over 3500 and give her progressive gas pedal and no way jose'....Put fuel in her and all was well.
Mine hit the reserve with two bars...It said about 40ish miles left.get anywhere over 3500 and give her progressive gas pedal and no way jose'....Put fuel in her and all was well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 129
From: NOVA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Mr Mojo
Most of us here have come to teh conclusion to not rely on the fuel gauge.
I know my car well enough that I know how many miles before I need to fill up.
Try not to ever let the tank get below 1/4.
As far as your range, I've gone to the point that "LO" came up instead of miles. That can get scary when you are on the highway with no gas stations in sight.
I know my car well enough that I know how many miles before I need to fill up.
Try not to ever let the tank get below 1/4.
As far as your range, I've gone to the point that "LO" came up instead of miles. That can get scary when you are on the highway with no gas stations in sight.
I've run my car down to 0 bars and never seen a warning. So, at a 1/4 I fill her up.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 0
From: Orange TX
Originally Posted by Mr Mojo
Most of us here have come to teh conclusion to not rely on the fuel gauge.
I know my car well enough that I know how many miles before I need to fill up.
Try not to ever let the tank get below 1/4.
As far as your range, I've gone to the point that "LO" came up instead of miles. That can get scary when you are on the highway with no gas stations in sight.
I know my car well enough that I know how many miles before I need to fill up.
Try not to ever let the tank get below 1/4.
As far as your range, I've gone to the point that "LO" came up instead of miles. That can get scary when you are on the highway with no gas stations in sight.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Running low
Your gas gauge probably is wrong because the vette was stored for months and created sluge in the sending unit. You might need to remove the unit OR don't drive more than 250 miles of a full tank of gas.
