Ran Out of Gas
08-08-2010, 03:19 PM
#1
Ran Out of Gas
2002 MN6 with 99.5K miles on a road trip.
Gas gauge went from about 1/4-3/8 to zero, figured it was the contaminated sensor problem which I have had before.
80-100 miles later, ran out of gas, should have had at least 150 miles left.
Got a ride 10 miles to gas station to get a can and gas. Started right up but only took 12 gallons when I got to same station.
Put a large can of Techron in, and have subsequently run gas down to 1/8 (3 gallons left) with no problems.
Conclusion is that whatever was clogging the transfer system was dissoved or softened enough to blow out by the Techron. Will carry my gas can for a while to be sure.
Gas gauge went from about 1/4-3/8 to zero, figured it was the contaminated sensor problem which I have had before.
80-100 miles later, ran out of gas, should have had at least 150 miles left.
Got a ride 10 miles to gas station to get a can and gas. Started right up but only took 12 gallons when I got to same station.
Put a large can of Techron in, and have subsequently run gas down to 1/8 (3 gallons left) with no problems.
Conclusion is that whatever was clogging the transfer system was dissoved or softened enough to blow out by the Techron. Will carry my gas can for a while to be sure.
08-08-2010, 03:22 PM
#2
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St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
2002 MN6 with 99.5K miles on a road trip.
Gas gauge went from about 1/4-3/8 to zero, figured it was the contaminated sensor problem which I have had before.
80-100 miles later, ran out of gas, should have had at least 150 miles left.
Got a ride 10 miles to gas station to get a can and gas. Started right up but only took 12 gallons when I got to same station.
Put a large can of Techron in, and have subsequently run gas down to 1/8 (3 gallons left) with no problems.
Conclusion is that whatever was clogging the transfer system was dissoved or softened enough to blow out by the Techron. Will carry my gas can for a while to be sure.
Gas gauge went from about 1/4-3/8 to zero, figured it was the contaminated sensor problem which I have had before.
80-100 miles later, ran out of gas, should have had at least 150 miles left.
Got a ride 10 miles to gas station to get a can and gas. Started right up but only took 12 gallons when I got to same station.
Put a large can of Techron in, and have subsequently run gas down to 1/8 (3 gallons left) with no problems.
Conclusion is that whatever was clogging the transfer system was dissoved or softened enough to blow out by the Techron. Will carry my gas can for a while to be sure.
08-08-2010, 08:26 PM
#3
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I'd run at least one more bottle of Techron through the tank - just to make sure any sulfur deposits on the sending unit is taken care of. Hopefully your gauge is fixed, but good idea to be prepared.
08-08-2010, 09:37 PM
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08-08-2010, 10:03 PM
#7
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08-09-2010, 10:11 AM
#8
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St. Jude Donor '13
I don't get down to a quarter tank, I usually gas up at around 1/2 tank unless I'm on a road trip. Let's face it Corvette's are special & most owners baby their babies. Why take a chance & get down to the bottom of the tanks who knows what's down there. I feed mine Shell & dump Techron in ever so often. Bought mine new in '99 & have not had any fuel tank/gauge problelms (knock on wood)!
08-09-2010, 11:31 AM
#9
Melting Slicks
I add a bottle of Techron every other month even though I ALWAYS use Chevron Supreme fuel.
Only had the gas light come on one time...the day I bought the car in Los Angeles and drove non-stop back to Sacrmento. Now I gas up anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 tank.
Only had the gas light come on one time...the day I bought the car in Los Angeles and drove non-stop back to Sacrmento. Now I gas up anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 tank.
08-09-2010, 11:34 AM
#10
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According to my 2004 owner's manual, the fuel tank capacity is 18 gallons. Does that include the "Reserve Fuel"? If so, how many gallons does the reserve fuel account for in the total 18 gallons?
I don't like letting my tank get that low either, however since most gas stations hoses click off due to our C5 tank design, I usually measure my fill, up based on the gallons dispensed. If the tank(s) is truly full at 18 gallons, including reserve fuel, that would mean 4.5 gallons per quarter.
I don't like letting my tank get that low either, however since most gas stations hoses click off due to our C5 tank design, I usually measure my fill, up based on the gallons dispensed. If the tank(s) is truly full at 18 gallons, including reserve fuel, that would mean 4.5 gallons per quarter.
08-09-2010, 12:56 PM
#11
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1/4 tank fill up is the best rule of thumb. I never let any of my vehicles go below that, especially, on the road. 
Mostly use Chevron, but when I travel, I carry at least two bottles of Techron. 
Mostly use Chevron, but when I travel, I carry at least two bottles of Techron.
08-09-2010, 04:11 PM
#12
Burning Brakes
QUOTE=Blew by you;1574949899]So the pumps can keep cool!!?? OMG not another thing i have to do to keep my ever so finicky Vette running, every day my Vette looks more and more like another car, any car, any car without this many problems.[/QUOTE]
This is not just a corvette problem, but I believe concerns any car with an in-tank fuel pump. I ran out of gas in my C4 on several occasions and in each case within a month or so the fuel pump failed. It was not a particularly big deal in the C4 because the fuel pump was easily removed and could be changed out from the the top of the tank in a few minutes. Things are more challenging on a C5. My advice: don't take a chance on running out of gas - it ain't worth the grief.
[/QUOTE]This is not just a corvette problem, but I believe concerns any car with an in-tank fuel pump. I ran out of gas in my C4 on several occasions and in each case within a month or so the fuel pump failed. It was not a particularly big deal in the C4 because the fuel pump was easily removed and could be changed out from the the top of the tank in a few minutes. Things are more challenging on a C5. My advice: don't take a chance on running out of gas - it ain't worth the grief.
08-09-2010, 04:41 PM
#14
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As to Chevron Supreme and other cleaning gasoline, I watched the 60 Minutes story about the gasoline refinery process and don't most gasoline stations/chains receive their gasoline from the same core provider/distributor?
08-09-2010, 05:42 PM
#15
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I thought the general rule of thumb is to avoid any type of additives like Techron. I see on this thread, however that there are owners who are pleased with the results and even recommend it.
As to Chevron Supreme and other cleaning gasoline, I watched the 60 Minutes story about the gasoline refinery process and don't most gasoline stations/chains receive their gasoline from the same core provider/distributor?
As to Chevron Supreme and other cleaning gasoline, I watched the 60 Minutes story about the gasoline refinery process and don't most gasoline stations/chains receive their gasoline from the same core provider/distributor?
08-09-2010, 08:22 PM
#17
Melting Slicks
Car holds MORE than 18 gallons
According to my 2004 owner's manual, the fuel tank capacity is 18 gallons. Does that include the "Reserve Fuel"? If so, how many gallons does the reserve fuel account for in the total 18 gallons?
I don't like letting my tank get that low either, however since most gas stations hoses click off due to our C5 tank design, I usually measure my fill, up based on the gallons dispensed. If the tank(s) is truly full at 18 gallons, including reserve fuel, that would mean 4.5 gallons per quarter.
I don't like letting my tank get that low either, however since most gas stations hoses click off due to our C5 tank design, I usually measure my fill, up based on the gallons dispensed. If the tank(s) is truly full at 18 gallons, including reserve fuel, that would mean 4.5 gallons per quarter.
The auto shutoff stops a couple gallons short and it needs to flow into the second tank also. Take your time and gas up full. Even using only Texaco 93 octane with Techron the guage occasionly goes to zero. Add Techron concentrate or occasionally a can of Seafoam to the tank and the guage performs correctly. Had a guage sensor replaced under warranty several years ago but the sulphur problem seems to plague the vette sensors.
BIGHANK
08-10-2010, 07:15 AM
#19
Melting Slicks
When around half tank my gage gets crazy and will read high and low. Techtron seemed to help some but I agree w/ some of the others that when the gage reads 1/4 I get more fuel. 
