The gas gage issue
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 62
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From: Thompsons Station TN
The gas gage issue
I have a friend with a 2010 GS. We were on a Corvette Club cruise this past weekend, when his GS (30K miles) died. Should've had half tank of gas. Towed to his house.
He plans to troubleshoot before asking local dealer to help. He added 2 gal today - all it would take. Still won't start. I suggested using starting fluid in the intake - that's next.
Any suggestions before he takes to dealer?
I've noticed that this seems a prevalent issue. Is there any help from GM, or are owners "out in cold"?
As for me - 2012 GS, 17K miles - under warranty - should I be doing anything?
Thanks
RB
He plans to troubleshoot before asking local dealer to help. He added 2 gal today - all it would take. Still won't start. I suggested using starting fluid in the intake - that's next.
Any suggestions before he takes to dealer?
I've noticed that this seems a prevalent issue. Is there any help from GM, or are owners "out in cold"?
As for me - 2012 GS, 17K miles - under warranty - should I be doing anything?
Thanks
RB
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,492
Likes: 808
From: West coast CA
I have a friend with a 2010 GS. We were on a Corvette Club cruise this past weekend, when his GS (30K miles) died. Should've had half tank of gas. Towed to his house.
He plans to troubleshoot before asking local dealer to help. He added 2 gal today - all it would take. Still won't start. I suggested using starting fluid in the intake - that's next.
Any suggestions before he takes to dealer?
I've noticed that this seems a prevalent issue. Is there any help from GM, or are owners "out in cold"?
As for me - 2012 GS, 17K miles - under warranty - should I be doing anything?
Thanks
RB
He plans to troubleshoot before asking local dealer to help. He added 2 gal today - all it would take. Still won't start. I suggested using starting fluid in the intake - that's next.
Any suggestions before he takes to dealer?
I've noticed that this seems a prevalent issue. Is there any help from GM, or are owners "out in cold"?
As for me - 2012 GS, 17K miles - under warranty - should I be doing anything?
Thanks
RB
The most common gas gauge problem has to do with dirt on the level sender. The DIC will display "Service Fuel System" and the gauge reads zero. However, the car should continue to run.
If the gauge dropped to zero and the car quit simultaneously, I'd guess you have an electrical power problem. Dead battery, loose cable, bad ground, etc. What happens when he tries to start the car?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,673
Likes: 9
From: Upstate New York
Starter fluid in the intake will tell you if it's a fuel related issue or not. If it starts then you have a direction to go. If it doesn't then pull a plug and check for spark. I don't specifically remember if the C6 does this but if you press the bottom of the start button for several seconds to turn the car 'on', do you hear the fuel pump prime for a few seconds?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
I have a friend with a 2010 GS. We were on a Corvette Club cruise this past weekend, when his GS (30K miles) died. Should've had half tank of gas. Towed to his house.
He plans to troubleshoot before asking local dealer to help. He added 2 gal today - all it would take. Still won't start. I suggested using starting fluid in the intake - that's next.
Any suggestions before he takes to dealer?
I've noticed that this seems a prevalent issue. Is there any help from GM, or are owners "out in cold"?
As for me - 2012 GS, 17K miles - under warranty - should I be doing anything?
Thanks
RB
He plans to troubleshoot before asking local dealer to help. He added 2 gal today - all it would take. Still won't start. I suggested using starting fluid in the intake - that's next.
Any suggestions before he takes to dealer?
I've noticed that this seems a prevalent issue. Is there any help from GM, or are owners "out in cold"?
As for me - 2012 GS, 17K miles - under warranty - should I be doing anything?
Thanks
RB
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 62
Likes: 4
From: Thompsons Station TN
Gage said zero, when it shouldn't have. Engine stopped, but was able to crank the engine. He was able to add only a gallon of gas, when it began overflowing. Car sat for several days, then he was able to start, gage began reading normal, and all appears to be normal, now.
Of course, something's amiss, so he's going to borrow a code reader. Likely will end up taking it to the dealer.
My question is - since this seems to be an issue in C6, is there anything I should do with my 2012 GS, so I don't encounter the same issue. I do not want to start using additives, as some threads have suggested.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,492
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From: West coast CA
If you want to avoid the fuel gauge problem, I suggest not letting the car go for days with the fuel level below, say, 3/4 tank. Anecdotal evidence (including my own experience) is that the level senders get dirty when not immersed in fuel. When the gauge is reading 1/2, the right tank is completely empty.
Usually when you pull the senders, the right one is dirty and the left one is shiny and clean.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,281
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From: Pittsburgh PA
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14
No, it goes into the left tank. When that's full it spills over into the right tank. When running the fuel pump draws from the left tank, and gas is also pumped from the right tank to the left one. Net result is the right tank is emptied first.
In general I don't believe in additives either, but Techron is an exception; it has a long history of working as advertised. It really should be used.
In general I don't believe in additives either, but Techron is an exception; it has a long history of working as advertised. It really should be used.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,492
Likes: 808
From: West coast CA
The fuel filler, which is on the left side of the car, is connected to the left tank. When the left tank is full, fuel spills through the crossover tube into the right tank. During operation, a transfer pump keeps the left tank full by drawing fuel from the right tank.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 492
Likes: 3
From: Sutherlin Oregon
I have an 08 . I just got it and it has 12K miles on it. Gauge read 1/2 tank, and I was going on a run, so I went to fill it up. Took about 5 gals. I said, "that can't be right". He said it won't take any more. when I started it , it was a little over half a tank. The read out on the "DIC" range said I could go 136 miles. Should I take it in or 1st try the Tecron?
Jerry
Jerry
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,492
Likes: 808
From: West coast CA
I have an 08 . I just got it and it has 12K miles on it. Gauge read 1/2 tank, and I was going on a run, so I went to fill it up. Took about 5 gals. I said, "that can't be right". He said it won't take any more. when I started it , it was a little over half a tank. The read out on the "DIC" range said I could go 136 miles. Should I take it in or 1st try the Tecron?
Jerry
Jerry
Last edited by torquetube; Apr 15, 2014 at 12:18 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 492
Likes: 3
From: Sutherlin Oregon
gas gauge
Well I have done the tecron and the gas guy let me put it in. I was at half a tank and as slow as I could put it in , and it took 2.1 Gal. I talked to the Chevy dealer and he said they could "flash" it and see if it was the gauge or the sending unit. Sound right??
Jerry
Roseburg Or
Jerry
Roseburg Or
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,492
Likes: 808
From: West coast CA
Well I have done the tecron and the gas guy let me put it in. I was at half a tank and as slow as I could put it in , and it took 2.1 Gal. I talked to the Chevy dealer and he said they could "flash" it and see if it was the gauge or the sending unit. Sound right??
Jerry
Roseburg Or
Jerry
Roseburg Or
Starting around 2007, GM reversed the impedance range on the level senders so when they get dirty they err on the side of less fuel rather than more fuel. If you put in 5 gallons starting at an indicated 1/2 tank and it barely nudged the needle, your right level sender might be dirty or otherwise malfunctioning.
I would monitor the fuel level vs. miles driven and see if anything seems off. Once gauge goes below 1/2 tank, you're on the left sender only and the numbers should make sense.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 492
Likes: 3
From: Sutherlin Oregon
gas gauge problem
I am not sure the gas is getting into the other tank (one wau or the other). I am beginning to think the fuel isn't getting to the passenger side tank.
I will try your suggestion first
I will try your suggestion first
Sure, give it a shot.
Starting around 2007, GM reversed the impedance range on the level senders so when they get dirty they err on the side of less fuel rather than more fuel. If you put in 5 gallons starting at an indicated 1/2 tank and it barely nudged the needle, your right level sender might be dirty or otherwise malfunctioning.
I would monitor the fuel level vs. miles driven and see if anything seems off. Once gauge goes below 1/2 tank, you're on the left sender only and the numbers should make sense.
Starting around 2007, GM reversed the impedance range on the level senders so when they get dirty they err on the side of less fuel rather than more fuel. If you put in 5 gallons starting at an indicated 1/2 tank and it barely nudged the needle, your right level sender might be dirty or otherwise malfunctioning.
I would monitor the fuel level vs. miles driven and see if anything seems off. Once gauge goes below 1/2 tank, you're on the left sender only and the numbers should make sense.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 492
Likes: 3
From: Sutherlin Oregon
Jerry again from Roseeburg. Would only take 1/2 tank. Tried techron. Took it to the dealer in town to have him check gauge, or anything that might be causing it. When I went back later he said I got good news and bad. If we have to tke out sending unit , drop tank etc, it would be , with time etc, about 2 K....and the good news? The hose that lets the pressure out when you were filling the tank, was kinked. time and material $110... YEAH!!!
and it worked, too.
and it worked, too.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,587
Likes: 69
From: Memphis Tn
Jerry again from Roseeburg. Would only take 1/2 tank. Tried techron. Took it to the dealer in town to have him check gauge, or anything that might be causing it. When I went back later he said I got good news and bad. If we have to tke out sending unit , drop tank etc, it would be , with time etc, about 2 K....and the good news? The hose that lets the pressure out when you were filling the tank, was kinked. time and material $110... YEAH!!!
and it worked, too.
and it worked, too.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 46
From: va
Jerry again from Roseeburg. Would only take 1/2 tank. Tried techron. Took it to the dealer in town to have him check gauge, or anything that might be causing it. When I went back later he said I got good news and bad. If we have to tke out sending unit , drop tank etc, it would be , with time etc, about 2 K....and the good news? The hose that lets the pressure out when you were filling the tank, was kinked. time and material $110... YEAH!!!
and it worked, too.
and it worked, too.
