1998 vet. Twice in the last two days "check gagues" lite came on. Fuel gague dropped to zero, low fuel indicator came on and distance mileage number went out on message board.
Is this normal or is there some thing wrong ????
i did get it back to normal by pushing reset button and came back on in about ten minutes. does this happen all the time with vets ???

HELP

 

Good morning. I have a '98 that it happened to also. It's the fuel sensor sending unit. Something to do with the deposits left in the tank. It seems the only fixes are...have the dealership replace the sending units in both tanks, cost is per others on here that had to have it done...$1200.00 to even more. The other way to fix it, although not permanently, is to use Techron + fuel system cleaner. Run your tank as close to empty as you can. Make a note as to how many miles you can get on a full tank, then run it down to almost that, dump 2 of the big bottles in the tank, let it sit overnight and then fill up with either Chevron or Shell Premium the next day. It has worked for me. You might have to keep doing it 2-3 times a year, so far that's my schedule. In between I use a small bottle of it. I've also heard about a product called Seafoam. I've not used it, but, have read about it here and other places. I can't even find it anywhere here localy. I am in a really rural area. Try it, the cost is a whole lot less even considering doing it more than a couple times a year. I know I can safely get 350-400 miles on a full tank of gas and at that, I should have a quarter left or so. Your trip indicator on the DIC will continue keeping track of the miles, just not the miles to empty.

 

The only real problem with the procedure that you have outlined above is that when you run your tanks (there are two) down low and then pour anything in, you are ONLY pouring it into the left side (driver's) tank. There is no way for the Techron to get into the right side tank until the left tank fills to a level high enough and then overflows into the right side tank through the crossover tube.

Therefore, in your scenario, you would have a "double" treatment (two cans) in the driver's side tank and nothing in the right tank overnight. It would be MUCH better to pour two cans (if that's what you want to do) in, and then immediately fill your "tank". The mixing action of the driver's side filling up to the top and then the fuel overflowing into the other tank would ensure you are getting an equally mixed amount in each tank and on the fuel level sending units in each tank.

Various things can, and have (I submit), been contributing to this problem, especially in the earlier year C5s and one of those things is the nature of the particular gasoline you use in your part of the country (and the particular mandated blend) then in use depending on the time of year involved, etc. I think these "boutique" blends mandated by the various states have been contributing to the C5 problem. Notice I said "contributing", and not the sole source.

I, for one, after reading about this problem several years ago chose to carry around 6 small containers, each with 3.5 oz. of Red-Line SI1 Fuel System Treatment and I put one container in the tank(s) EACH time I get gas. The 3.5 oz. per 20 gal ratio is what Red-Line recommends for ongoing fuel system treatment. I then use a full bottle at oil change time (about every 10,000 miles). Despite the bit of a PITA this is (keeping the 6 bottles re-filled), I can and have, traveled throughout different parts of the country with less concern as to what "boutique" blend is then in use in what state at what time of year, yadda, yadda.

Does this mean that Red-Line SI1 is the magic cure-all? No, that's not what I'm saying since there other variables are (for example) due to where I live, I use only Chevron (now Texaco too) or Shell 93 octane fuel, plus Texas is not like some other states that have strict and varying blends of gasoline set by state government, so possibly the sulphur content is less here too. I'm not sure.

I do know that when I pulled my intake manifold to swap to a Z06 piece back when I had my LS1, I had approx 60 or 70K miles on the engine at the time and I was impressed by the lack of carbon on the backside of my engine valves. There was very very little. Mostly what I saw was the usual reddish/brown staining common to all "healthy" engine valves. They were very clean.

I'm kinda throwing this out there not only for the OP but maybe for the benefit of anyone else that may want to consider the approach of: ongoing prevention vs. wait until there's a problem. Oh, and btw, I now have 157K miles on the car (fuel tanks) and NO fuel gauge sticking problems.

HTH

 

thank you all for your input on my problem. some good thinking went into your answers and i will start a progam on the "redlinesl1 fuel system treatment" asap. thank you all again.
p.s. you will hear from me again when other problems come up.

thank you, george akers

 

People have long used Techron for this issue with good results. As stated already, pour in half, fill the tanks half-way, then pour in the other half or second bottle and continue filling.

 

That's another good way to do it too.

After much reading and seeing/hearing from others regarding Techron, I also have formed a very favorable opinion of that product as well.

 

Btw, if you want to carry a few pre-filled 3.5 oz containers around with you instead of trying to pour that small amount each time (spillage, etc) make sure the containers are fuel resistant. I bought two packages of "The Outlaw" octane booster. There are 4 3.5oz. bottles in each package and each bottle is a thick fuel resistant plastic (they used to be aluminum). Pour the octane booster in your car (not necessarily all at once; won't hurt anything) and then fill each bottle with Red-Line SI 1. I then use two flat plastic seal-able Tupperware containers to hold the bottles while in my trunk, three in each and I now have a couple spares. If memory serves, this "Outlaw" octane booster is made by Pennzoil and sold almost everywhere. Never had one leak yet and I've been doing this for at least 8 to 9 years now.

 

I've been using Seafoam with very good results, with an added benifit of maintaining the fuel during storage. Not that you LONESTAR state fellas need to worry about that!

 

"Storage"? What is this "storage" thing of which you speak Kemo Sabe?

Man I just wish I had more excuse to get out in far west Texas more often - between Ft. Stockton and El Paso - where the posted speed limits are 80 and you can see for miles.

 

It is a bad word... but it's like getting your Vette for the first time all over again in the Spring!

You should enter that no holds barred road race down there... I forget the name of it now... The Texas Mile or something????

Tim

PS HYJACK ALERT.... Sorry OP!