Fuel Sender? Fuel pump?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Fuel Sender? Fuel pump?
Hi everyone. I just bought my first Vette a couple of weeks ago. I love it how it looks, drives, and gets thumbs up! I ran across my first issue with it today though. The fuel gauge said that I had approximately 1/8th of a tank with 79 miles remaining until empty. Then it sputtered and died while on the road. I filled it up with a gas can, and it started up fine after the fuel reached the engine. I drove it to the gas station immediately after and filled it all the way up. It has been running fine ever since. I was really paranoid that the fuel pump died or it fried because I ran it out of gas. 
From what I have researched, the fuel gauge often reads empty for C5 drivers when the tank is full, but my gauge said I still had fuel. Is it the same problem? I don't want to run the car out of gas again. I don't normally run a car down to 1/8th of a tank, but when I have, I've never had an issue. Is it possible that the sender is bad? On a side note, the car is pleasantly light to push! 
From what I have researched, the fuel gauge often reads empty for C5 drivers when the tank is full, but my gauge said I still had fuel. Is it the same problem? I don't want to run the car out of gas again. I don't normally run a car down to 1/8th of a tank, but when I have, I've never had an issue. Is it possible that the sender is bad? On a side note, the car is pleasantly light to push!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 355
From: Rochester New York
What year is your vette? Common issue, especially with early C5's. Fuel level senders can form a film on them from the fuels sulfer that skews level readings. I believe Techron is the fuel system cleaner that is recommended for this issue. Try using a bottle for the next two fill ups and see if it helps.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
HTH
Btw, the good news is that your fuel tank does not need to be dropped to change the sender assembly.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Very possible most of the fuel from the right tank is not transferring over to the left tank and you're running out of fuel in the left tank and there is still 6-9 gals still in the right tank. Clogged (completely or partially) orifice in the siphon-jet pump. That's why when you "fill up" after one of these events, and you can't put any more than 11-13 gals. in, that's a big clue.
Search the subject. Much info.
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