Fueling up tank
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 425
Likes: 94
Fueling up tank
Ok hope this isn’t a dumb question but I have to ask. I have a 2000 and the reserve fuel light came on, I’ve had the normal fuel gauge problem and and been using Techron and seemed to maybe be working again today after a year. Stopped and fueled but only took 8 gallons and clicked off and gauge read 1/2-3/4 fuel. After some more reading seems like there maybe a back pressure issue and it said to keep clicking the fuel pump handle and try to put more in as it should have taken about 16 gallons..is this something that I should try or not. Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,396
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From: Horseshoe Bend ID
Search the forum for threads on "Jet Pump." That is how the 8 gallons in the passenger side tank becomes unusable. FYI, the reserve light is triggered by the fuel gage sender, so if the sensor is bad the light is meaningless, so it is also possible that you can drive 8 gallons worth past the reserve light if the jet pump is working and ONLY the fuel sensor is bad. Oh, by the way, check the codes on the DIC.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 425
Likes: 94
No codes related to fuel sensor, so how would I know if it’s the jet pump or the sensor just drive it and see if it runs out of gas. This is the first time the gauge didn’t drop to zero it slowly dropped to reserve. After fill up it still shows only 1/2-3/4 tank. What a crazy setup
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,396
Likes: 407
From: Horseshoe Bend ID
Exactly, fill it up and drive 8 gal x (your usual MPG) and see what happens. [carry a spare gallon of gas or have a friend on call]. If it runs out early, it's the jet pump, if it keeps going to 12-15 gal x (your mpg) it's just the sender(s).
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 425
Likes: 94
Will it restart without any problems with a gallon of gas if I run out, sorry but I’m new to the C5s have always had the old ones. Thanks for all your help.
Last edited by 2010Pony; Aug 21, 2022 at 06:56 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 65
Likes: 4
From: Madison - Huntsville AL
Yes, it will start on one gallon. You should rehearse with the gas jug and spout you will be carrying as back up. Ive experienced the problem filling up you mentioned. I think my jet syphon pump had a restriction in it. My fuel gauge was useless. I used bottles of Techrolene with small results. I started using Seafoam about 6 tanks ago and my sypmtoms are looking much better. I would let the car sit for weeks after a fill up so the Seafoam could work.
My gauge is just below half now and it lines up with the mileage driven since fill-up. I plan on putting my 2 gal jug in the trunk and driving till the low fuel warning lol
Good Luck
My gauge is just below half now and it lines up with the mileage driven since fill-up. I plan on putting my 2 gal jug in the trunk and driving till the low fuel warning lol
Good Luck
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
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From: Southlake, TX
Once you run the gas way down, I'd consider "nuking it."
I'd fill up with Chevron Techron and add two bottles of Techron to your tank. Id then drive it and drive it more. The "agitation" of your fuel gauge contacts from gas sloshing around will (should) rub off any of the accumulated corrosion and the high density of Techron should clean it quickly.
Short of that, next step is to pull the sending unit.
I'd fill up with Chevron Techron and add two bottles of Techron to your tank. Id then drive it and drive it more. The "agitation" of your fuel gauge contacts from gas sloshing around will (should) rub off any of the accumulated corrosion and the high density of Techron should clean it quickly.
Short of that, next step is to pull the sending unit.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 425
Likes: 94
Ok thanks, when you fill up does your gauge go to full. This is my first tank of sea foam. Didn’t know if these cars would start right back up or what to expect. Called my local Corvette repair and was told they would check and see if parts would still be available as they said most C5 owners have or will go through this but probably wouldn’t like what the cost would be. How far over 200 miles will I know if it’s the jet pump or sensor.
Thanks
Thanks
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 425
Likes: 94
Got a call back from my corvette repair today. Parts are still available but don’t know for how long. The bad, cost is $2400 to replace and repair. Think I will try to see how far I can drive with a 2 gallon jug of fuel to see what happens and hope if I run out it will start. If it’s the siphon jet pump or the sensor how many miles and gallons will I have to drive to know for sure which one it is.
Thank
Thank
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 65
Likes: 4
From: Madison - Huntsville AL
Ok thanks, when you fill up does your gauge go to full. This is my first tank of sea foam. Didn’t know if these cars would start right back up or what to expect. Called my local Corvette repair and was told they would check and see if parts would still be available as they said most C5 owners have or will go through this but probably wouldn’t like what the cost would be. How far over 200 miles will I know if it’s the jet pump or sensor.
Thanks
Thanks
literally be overflowing from the neck. I was 3.5 hours from home… at that time I really never gave thought how the fuel actually goes from one to the other lol
my gage works well until 1/4 tank then it either drops to empty suddenly or just stays where it is until I run out…or maybe not really running out.. just not getting the last 3-4 gallons out of the slave tank?
My gage has always gone to full btw and works well now all the way down to just a needle
below 1/4 tank.
Last edited by stnick; Aug 25, 2022 at 08:50 PM.