MyOwn69

Service fuel system ????

Has GM "fessed-up" to this universal mess yet, or am I still on the hook to pay $700 or so to correct their f**k-up on going cheap on a great car?

The "DIC" lights up and tells me to "SERVICE FUEL SYSTEM" - the fuel gauge spikes at zero - and I go "DAMN!"

When I fill the tank, the gauge spikes "0" and the DIC tells me "FUEL LOW!" - after I just filled it!

And, yes, I've had experience in this - my C5 2001 had it, now the C6 2009.

Really?

Have a friend in Houston that went through the same thing - he just paid to have it fixed - but really, isn't this a common thing?

They don't care about it - or just want to avoid fixing it?

LMB-Z

Use fuel with "Techron" in it, or add a bottle every few tanks of gas. Not that is will fix the issue, but most have said on here for years now it helps. Do a search.

Bill Dearborn

Saw your post in the C7 section. So what code is active when you see the message? My C6Z had the passenger side fuel sender go bad. The variable wiping resistor was totally worn out and no amount of Techron was going to fix it. Miserable job which made me glad my GMPP warranty covered it in full.

Bill

MyOwn69

Thanks, Bill!
Yeah, somehow my post ended up over there and they're responding: WTF??? Oops!
Anyhow, I know it is a sender problem - had it in the C5 and now my C6.
I've done the Techron thing and it still continues.
Really, it is a GM problem and they should stand by it and fix it, especially since I'm out of warranty (just like I was with the valves - yeah, an LS7 Z06!).
Again, thanks for the response!

joliett

Just started on my C6 base - 146K miles...

03BlkZ

Man I sure hope this never happens to me. This would absolutely drive me crazy. I'm going to start the techron treatment with next fill up. Good luck with the fix!

BRISLS1

This just happened to me. I have about 9 months remaining on my Carmax MaxCare agreement, but they are charging me $1700 to repair this, because "it is not a mechanical part".
Every other repair I have had (minor shifter rattle, etc..), would have been covered by a recall/TSB. So if you sum together the cost of the Carmax plan, and this repair, you get close to $3000 wasted.

Now, this would be just a learning experience.. (stupid car buyer didn't understand Carmax contracts). But I had a C5 Z06 from them before this, and they replaced the BCM ( that's right, the body control module computer ) for free, less a $50 deductible. So this ain't my first rodeo. And even if the fine print is right and I am wrong.. isn't it just good business practice to repair something as vital as the fuel sending unit for free? I mean, we have been getting fuel into car engines since 1908. We've had 100 years to get this to work.

Happy Thursday, thanks for listening.

El Paso Vette

This has been happening to me for about a year. The dealer gave me the first GM solution which is the bottle of some sort of additive for $20. It worked very well and the gauge came alive, until it did not. Then I think I figured out what to do. I never have the problem when the tank is more than half full and driven all the time. When I let it sit with a low tank, the problem occurs. So, if you are garaging your car, then fill the tank up before you let it sit. Seems to work so far for me. I will keep everyone posted on this one.

BRISLS1

The reason you don't have it with a near full tank, is because there are 2 tanks and 2 sensors. If you have less than half a tank, and one sensor is bad, then you can imagine, the system alarms. I can't prove or explain why that would be, but it just makes sense. One sensor is always being given enough to assume what the measurement of the other is, even if it is not alive. Just a guess. Below half full, one sensor can't assume there is even a drop in the other side, especially if the crossover tube is above sea level.

My dealer said there is a tube that connects the left and right sides and that the tube "siezed" when they went to replace the sending unit. I replied back " so you broke something and now i have to pay up?" It went further downhill from there with me just losing ground in my case for help with the cost.

MTPZ06

Happened to me on my old C5Z, and mega-doses of Techron additive fixed it in a couple tanks. Kept the techron additive on the PM schedule, and the issue never reoccurred. Do the same for my C6Z, and the issue has never come up. I buy it by the case at Costco.

nuke61

I understand that GM should have figured this out by now, but I really don't understand the levels of frustration/anger expressed. I simply know that when I fill it up all the way, I'll see the alarm until it drops to 7/8ths of tank.

Unreal

It last until warranty is out, good enough for them. After that a nice revenue source for servicing. Sounds like a perfect design for a modern auto maker.

Too-Fast

MTPZ06

When I lived in Orange County, I did the "big" bottle of techron every third tank. I now buy a case of techron at Costco, but they are the smaller bottles. I use a small bottle every tank to every other tank...and given I drive my car so much less here, a tank of gas lasts me a while.

sharkva

What dealer? - I am also in Richmond.

C5 Hardtop

The trick I used in 2 C5's and 2 C6's was during fueling. When the fuel pump stops, don't top off. That was all.

bjmsam

I put up with this problem for three years before replacing the fuel level sensor. This thread was most helpful. Beware that excessive use of fuel additives can lead to oil contamination and potentially engine failure.