Fuel Tank problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: Ridgecrest CA
Fuel Tank problem
Yesterday I ran out of fuel on the I-15.
I know I had fuel but my guage has been flacky lately so I was going by miles for fill up. 
Anyway once I got to gas station it only took 9 gallons of fuel. Guage works fine for about 100 miles then dropps to nothing but it seem as if the fuel is not getting from one tank to the other? Any ideas?
I know I had fuel but my guage has been flacky lately so I was going by miles for fill up. Anyway once I got to gas station it only took 9 gallons of fuel. Guage works fine for about 100 miles then dropps to nothing but it seem as if the fuel is not getting from one tank to the other? Any ideas?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 881
Likes: 2
From: hill billy hell
If you say it ran out of fuel and only took 9 gallons,Sounds like you are having problems with the RH Fuel tank with the siphon jet pump being clogged. Car would not run if the LH tank pump was not working.
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 410
Likes: 1
From: NJ
sounds like you need about 4 bottles of techron. Use 2 for every 20 gallons. Let it sit over night each time and then just drive it. Use only top tier fuel too. (shell v-power) to be specific. Had a major gas guage problem and have been using techron and only shell v-power and its about 90% fixed at the moment.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 29
From: San Rafael CA
Yup .... check the DTC data to confirm, but sure sounds like your car is not transferring fuel from the right to the left tank. The PCM recognized this and commanded the IPC to display LOW FUEL on the DIC and to set your fuel gauge to EMPTY. You ran out of gas because you decided to ignore the warning messages. You tried to "outsmart" the car ..... well guess what ... car is smarter than you.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 29
From: San Rafael CA
You could try some Techron, but if the right tank is not feeding fuel to the left, the Techron probably won't help. Also, with the right tank already full ... there is very little Techron that will get over to it.
You will need to pull the right tank sender and inspect the pump.
* Right tank pump is fed fuel from the pressurized fuel line out of the left tank/electric fuel pump. Ensure it is being supplied fuel for the "siphon" effect to work.
* Pump may be clogged with debris
* The feed line from the siphon pump to the left tank may be clogged.
You will need to plan on draining about 9 gallons of fuel from the right tank in order to remove the sender.
DO NOT work on the fuel system in a garage or other location that has any kind of ignition source such as a water heater. You will have an almost explosive mix of gasoline fumes .... certainly a highly flammable mix. Be careful.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: Ridgecrest CA
I took the Vette to dealer for repair, there was no codes in the DTC but the technician said since the Fuel gauge was registering empty it tells the left tank to quit pumping to the right so once the right is empty there you sit. New fuel sending unit fixed problem.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Fuel Gauge
to Corvettejoe98:
I've been trying the Techron in a 2004 with no luck. Been using Shell with it. I'm on my 4th bottle and only with Shell. Any tricks to be aware of? I can live with it, but what a pain. Mine quits at about 1/2 tank down to about 1/4. Fine on both sides of that range. I know my cruising range pretty well so have been managing it but one would thionk when we spend what we do on these cars, we'd get a fuel system that would work properly.
I've been trying the Techron in a 2004 with no luck. Been using Shell with it. I'm on my 4th bottle and only with Shell. Any tricks to be aware of? I can live with it, but what a pain. Mine quits at about 1/2 tank down to about 1/4. Fine on both sides of that range. I know my cruising range pretty well so have been managing it but one would thionk when we spend what we do on these cars, we'd get a fuel system that would work properly.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 53
Likes: 2
From: TYLER,TX.
This has been an issue w/my low mileage 2000 c5 6-spd. question, when the "LOW FUEL" LIGHT goes on & thegauge goes to "E" I wait about 20-30 sec. & hit the "Reset button" & light goes away. Later on into the drive I Stop at a fuel center & clear & reset the codes, usually the pcm & bcm codes > everything is fine til about 80-100 miles later & the low fuel light does it's thing again. Is this procedure doing any harm? I've been a c4 tech guy for many yr's & never had this problem with fuel level sending units. I Love my c5, but everywhere i turn to find the passenger side (rt tank) fuel sending unit is not to be found. I would be very grateful for any leads to where i could purchase this item. Also just the othe day went to cruise to Shreveport, LA approx.110 miles one way to east of me, gauge & mileage was reading approx.209 miles to empty & ran out of fuel pulling into the prk'ng garage @ the Horseshoe Casino, NOT A HAPPY CAMPER.!! There should be a massive recall / service bullentin issued. One would say ur dreaming.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,211
Likes: 3,274
From: Central TX
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
You think a 24yr old car should be issued a "massive recall"? Yes, you are dreaming, unfortunately.
Before trying to find a discontinued fuel sending unit, have you tried running Techron fuel system cleaner in the tank?
Before trying to find a discontinued fuel sending unit, have you tried running Techron fuel system cleaner in the tank?
Last edited by USAZR1; Aug 21, 2024 at 07:53 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 53
Likes: 2
From: TYLER,TX.
Before trying to find a discontinued fuel sending unit, have you tried running Techron fuel system cleaner? To answer this question, YES. I did not go into the detailed diagnostic procedure i've performed. I've removed the RT sending unit completely thru the access which on this model is a " PLUS" & I'am very thankful to the engineering for this access port. I did this at my local chevy dealer due to my relative is one of their Vette Mech. He wanted to see if the contacts & contact board was not damaged on this OLD 130K mile c5. We've did a pretty good search for this item. We found a shop in the pennsylvania area. I spoke with the mngr of this mostly Corvette Shop. He stated when they run into this fuel sender prob. they use theCadillac XLR-V, that graced our lives from 2006 to 2009. I asked who was the supplier they used but was NOT afforded an answer. My tech relative is still doing research. also at ROCK AUTO they list (2-3) supplier's but are "out of stock".Have u dealt w/ ROCK AUTO? I would be most grateful for a good source for this fix. BEST, G.E
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,211
Likes: 3,274
From: Central TX
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Before trying to find a discontinued fuel sending unit, have you tried running Techron fuel system cleaner? To answer this question, YES. I did not go into the detailed diagnostic procedure i've performed. I've removed the RT sending unit completely thru the access which on this model is a " PLUS" & I'am very thankful to the engineering for this access port. I did this at my local chevy dealer due to my relative is one of their Vette Mech. He wanted to see if the contacts & contact board was not damaged on this OLD 130K mile c5. We've did a pretty good search for this item. We found a shop in the pennsylvania area. I spoke with the mngr of this mostly Corvette Shop. He stated when they run into this fuel sender prob. they use theCadillac XLR-V, that graced our lives from 2006 to 2009. I asked who was the supplier they used but was NOT afforded an answer. My tech relative is still doing research. also at ROCK AUTO they list (2-3) supplier's but are "out of stock".Have u dealt w/ ROCK AUTO? I would be most grateful for a good source for this fix. BEST, G.E
Rock Auto is a top-notch supplier.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,546
Likes: 1,207
From: Temple Texas
Obviously if you've been using 12 with no results for three years then using 12 isn't working.
Start with reading directions on the label and go from there. 24 is likely fine to use but it's doubtful you're going to get any better results. You seem like a patient and hopeful person so maybe trying 24 for a couple years would suit you. Cross your fingers the aftermarket has come up with a good solution by then.
