I was noticing that when I fill my tank on my c5 that the fuel gages would not correctly go to full on both the panel and also my HUD. So I took it to the shop, and they have had it for a week. They said they had to replace the fuel sensors and that they had to take a part the whole rear end to drop the tank.

Bottom line is I don't trust dealerships, and I'm not much of a mechanic, am I getting fleeced?

I'm a new user here just looking for some input from the experts, thanks.

 

 

Hey 614,, Learn to use the search on this forum and you would find a thousand posts on this real common problem.. Search is your friend.. I'll send you a link to every common problem on the C5.. Read it.. All of it. Educate yourself on the common problems on our cars in 10 minutes! Your problem is more than likely the fuel sending units ( 2 of them ).. The problem is with the fuel used in your car.. Most Fuels contain sulfur.. Thus sulfur deposits build up on the Fuel sending units, causing them to give false readings.. The best thing for you to do at this point is go to the auto parts store and purchase The Techron Fuel System cleaner.. Techron has a detergent which dissolves sulfur deposits.. However,, if the deposits are real bad, you may have to get the sending units replaced, which is not cheap.. You also need to start using Chevron Gasoline, which has Techron in it, or Shell, which has Techron too.. It may take 2 or 3 treatments of the concentrate to solve your problem if it is not real bad.. I run a bottle of Techron Concentrate in my tank every 3 months, as well as using only Chevron Gas. Read, this link.. Print it out if you have too.. Good reading . You will be amazed at "The Secrets of the C5". This tells you things that are not even in the owners manual..
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=984927

 

Been there, done that. Have had the fuel sensors replaced under warranty so many times by the dealer when this problem would occur back in 2000-2002 it's not even funny. You'd think after about the 3rd time they'd start to think perhaps it was something other than the fuel sensor, but they were like the help desk people you might call for a computer issue, totally clueless and just staring at a screen with common problems and resolutions. Didn't find out what the problem was until a few years ago when I came across a service bulletin for this problem. Running Shell or Chevron gas, or putting a bottle of Techron through the tank occasionally will solve the problem. You got fleeced , and they DEFINITELY should have known this.

Here are links to the various service bulletins pertaining to erratic fuel gauge readings on the C5:

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...ram+the+PCM%29
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...ram+the+PCM%29
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...sage+Displayed
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...Gauge+Readings
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...Gauge+Readings

I also suggest browsing through the other service bulletins for the C5 to see if any of these pertain to you. Might also help you in the future if/when something else breaks (knock on wood):

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...s/1997+-+2004/

 

Yeah, you're getting fleeced ......

First, as others have pointed out, this is a "known" problem, and 2 or 3 cans of Techron would probably have solved the problem. The dealer should have recommended this to you.

Second, the dealer should tell you which DTC were set in the car. The PCM is smart enough to know which of the two fuel senders is sticking. Replacing both (unless the PCM was setting DTC for both, but unlikely) seems excessive.

Third, while getting to the fuel senders isn't a 5 minute job, it also does not require a week and taking apart "the whole rear end".

I would call the Service Manager (not the Service "Advisor") at the dealer and ask for a clear explanation of why both sensors needed replacing and why it took a week.

I would insist on a reduction in price (if you haven't paid yet) .... a refund or credit against future work (if you have paid already) or a clear understanding that you will be sending a letter to GM's President and a copy to GM customer service and the General Manager of the dealership explaining how the dealership has "fleeced" you and that you will not buy any further products from the dealer, or GM.

Understand that the dealer either hid from you the fact that there have been several TSB issued regarding the problem with fuel levels in the Corvette, or is so incompetent they never read/understood the information GM provided. Whichever, the dealer should not be charging you to replace 2 fuel senders without clear "facts" showing both sensors were bad.