Maybe Clem has something here....I remember a mechanic friend telling me a couple of years ago not to over-fill your gas tank like in years-past. It will cause problems on the newer cars. I don't remember the details but maybe there is a link here with the problems people are seeing.

 

I just filled up with Sunoco 94 and my gas guage went to Zero as I got under the 1/2 way mark. I haven't has this problem in years. I always used Amoco but now that I am in New York I purchase 94. Anyone else have experience with Sunoco?

 

We have a 2002 and went on a club run to California this weekend to play CHP tag(california highway patrol)..I topped the tank off in Reno with a off brand Tesco..No not Costco...When we were at Lake Shasta the check gauge light came on and the tank dropped to empty..I totally freaked and went on this lousy cave tour for 2 hours...Anyways when we got in the Vette and started it gauge went back to half tank status!!! put 10 gallons of Shell and the tank was full....Had no problem after that...Should I take it in to have the tank sensors replaced????? :confused:

 

I work with an engineer that worked on the design of the sending unit.
He left the company that makes the sending units two years ago.
As far as he knows, they have not figured-out what is making them fail.
One theory is that the chemicals leach out of the plastic gas tank and cause the failure.
He says that the Corvette is not the only GM vehicle that has had this problem. :rolleyes:

 

I wonder what those chemicals do to the injection systems, etc..... :eek:

 

My 2000 Audi actually had a re-call due to the sending units used. These also were having a bad reaction with high sulphur content fuels. They said that the new units installed were using gold on the contact points etc...which is not suceptable to the corrosive effects of sulphur. Perhaps GM should consider the same!

 

Gas is gas! They all share the same raw tanks at the port or wherever they fill up from. The only difference is the additive package that is put into the fuel at fillup. Sulpher may have an effect , but then it would not be limited to off brands. The only difference between Chevron and Shamrock is probably the Techron additive.The Feds mandate that even the off brands add detergents and inhibitors.

 

even one major brand can have more sulfur than other major brands. i would guess the sulfur is not added but is something that better (more costly) refining removes. the additive package are added at the bulk terminals to go with the conditions of the area where the gas will be sold. back when FI first came out some brands of gas caused coking of the injectors because some brands did not want to spend the money for the additives needed to keep the injectors clean. GM even told the gasoline companies they were going to put in their owners manuals which gas to use if all the companies did not step up to the plate. :chevy

 

I use Arco and Texaco and haven't had any problems. (knock on fiberglass)

 

I have had the fuel gauge problem 6 times since I bought my 2000. This year I had the problem once in June, again in August and, just last week (September) Although my car is out of warranty 40K on the odometer, the dealer continues to fix the problem under a "Goodwill" Warranty. The technician’s quote was...
"The sulfur compounds are eating away at the silver tips on the fuel level sensor arm and re depositing on the circuit board causing the fuel level sensor to read incorrectly and the PCM dropping the fuel gauge to empty. Doug (the service) Manager advised me (the technician) that this concern can happen as soon as a couple of days after replacing the tank sensor assembly."

It sounds like they are setting me up to get out of their "goodwill" warranties. I have switched gas stations four times, first with 76, second with Chevron, and third with Shell. I am now on Exxon. This is BS. GM needs to step up and address the problem. This is the only car in the GM lineup that is having such a severe problem related to the fuel-sending unit. It is simply a flawed design and needs to be reengineered. If they intend to sell cars in California, they need to get their act together.

my $.02

:mad :mad

 

just got back from a 1000 mile LAP of PA. with 19 other corvettes and using CITCO and MOBIL i had no problems with the fuel gauge on my 02. :chevy


[Modified by clem zahrobsky, 7:48 AM 9/23/2002]

 

Guys, the word is intermitant. That means just because it works now it won't work tomorrow. Mine failed with less than 2000 miles and was replaced under warranty. Now driven over 13 K more in the last two months without a failure. I've been across country with all types of gas and no problem. Sulfer can vary even with the same brand depending when you fill up. The problem has to be dealt with in the design not trying to find the right gas station....

 

I was told the other day that there is pending legislation for the fuel companies to remove the sulpher from gasoline. Not sure of details, but if approved, it may eliminate our problem.

 

Guys:

I am new to this forum, but i do know gasoline.

Premium gasoline (no matter where in the country it is made) has lower sulfur values than regular or midgrade.

YOU SHOULD NEVER "TOP OFF" your tank. The State of Arizona did a study, and besides messing with the fuel sensor, most of that extra gasoline goes back to the gas pump thru those little holes (Vapor Recovery System). YOU ARE PAYING FOR GASOLINE THAT THE STATION GETS TO SELL AGAIN!

So, when filling, let it click stop and then remove the nozzel.

Now, it seems like most of the guys living in CA have the problem. CA gasoline is based on CARB specs and they are the most stringent in the country. Sulfur levels in ALL gasoline is below the 100 PPM (I just can't remember the exact #"s) EPA's rules currently in force allow up to 1,000 ppm sulfur in gasoline. The new sulfur rules to take effect in 2004 allow (I'm glossing over the very confusing time table) a max of 120 ppm. That goes down over the next 6 years, till 2010 when the levels are either 30 or 80.

ONLY THE MAJOR OIL COMPANIES put proprietary additives in their gasoline. Some even have chemical tracers to allow them to tell which refinery it was made at. The gasoline distribution system in the country is such that you can by REFINER X gasoline at a REFINERY Y station. This allows the marketing departments of the oil companies to have stations where they don't have refineries.

Sorry this was so long, and I don't think this answers the question about the gas guage, but I hope it helps with the general knowledge about gasoline. :)

 

if the part# of the parts have not changed since the 2002 came out they just replaced it with the same piece. any change in the part also makes for a change in part#. :chevy

 

Clem,

I had the same issue with my 02. When coming back from a long trip the fuel gauge would drop from 3/8s to **zero**.

When I took it to the dealer they said it was a PCM issue, there is a TSB for it out for the 02s, the reflash apparently fixed the issue. No problems for the last week, but we will see how it works long-term. I find it hard to believe a PCM tweak could fix a fuel sender...

--Lucas


[Modified by yubby, 3:10 AM 9/24/2002]

 

yubby, mine failed with less than 2000miles and when they checked the car it had already had the reflash and would not allow another, so much for that one.

 

Fellas, if you're filling up at an independent retailer's station as opposed to a corporately owned station, I'll lay you 10 to 1 odds that the owner of that station only buys enough "brand name" fuel to meet his contract with whomever's name is on the sign. The rest is coming from the wholesalers so you have no idea from one tank to the next what the quality or mixture is. I know this because I know people who own filling stations with major brand name signs on them.

 

I'll be damnned if I'll take a test kit with me so I've got good gas, that's ridicules.