Fuel Gauge Inaccuracy?

Jason · 11-05-2009, 08:46 PM

My car had been in the bodyshop for 3-4 weeks and driven a total of 3 miles during that period. I go to auto-fill my tank today (it was on 1/16) and the when the pump stopped (when it's supposedly full), the gauge read 11/16. i'm confused because when i pump gas and i set the handle, it stops when it's full and i usually see a full 16/16 gauge. the pump charged me for 16.765 gallons and only shows 11/16.

is it possible there is something wrong with the pump? or is it my gauge? it looks like i have space for another 6 gallons but i know my tank is 19 gal so i at least expected the 14/16 if i had a completely empty tank.

i feel like i paid for a full tank but only see less than 3/4 on the gauge. the accident i was in caused me to get a new bumper, hood, fenders, and a few new front-end things. i wouldnt think the fuel sensor is up there somewhere so im out of ideas. i just want to make sure it's accurate so i dont get stranded somewhere.

this post was longer than i expected but my head is sorta all over the place right now. lol. thanks in advance for any suggestions/ideas.

Modshack · 11-05-2009, 11:15 PM

Probably a little corrosion on the sender contacts from sitting. Throw a bottle of techron in the tank. Often that will help scrub them clean..

Jason · 11-06-2009, 12:08 AM

Woah woah mod, only Shell gets in this machine! Lol

pg6speed · 11-06-2009, 12:25 AM

I pour in a bottle of Techron fuel system cleaner each oil change. Its great stuff, the company I work for does testing on all kinds of oils/fuels/filters/additives and those guys rave about how it actually worked compared to the others claims. For the op I also use shell but a bottle of Techron is good for your fuel system on occasion. Just my 2 cents.

Rogue Z · 11-06-2009, 12:37 AM

I heard Chevron 91 is better than Shell 91

Jason · 11-06-2009, 01:15 AM

Ooo, I thought you guys were talking about chevron gas. Didn't know they had their own cleaner. I'll get some tomorrow.

ChrisSlicks · 11-06-2009, 06:26 PM

Look at this exploded view of the fuel tank.

172 Fuel Tank :: Fuel & Engine Control :: Genuine Nissan Parts :: 370Z Parts (Z34) 2009+ :: Nissan Parts, NISMO and Nissan Accessories - Courtesyparts.com

The sender has a float on the end of a metal arm. This arm can get bent, and a hard impact from a collision could certainly be enough to do that.

Modshack · 11-06-2009, 07:39 PM

I doubt they can get bent...The floats are very light and would not have enough momentum to bend the arm. What typically happens is the contacts on the reostat get gummed up or corroded especially when the fuel level is low. This isn't a Z sender, but is similar to what is used in most cars these days. As the arm, moves up it causes the contact wiper to make contact with the various pc board contacts. Further up (more fuel), more LEDs lit on the gauge. Techron is proven to clean these contacts. I've had plenty of Audi buddys who have brought their senders back from the dead with a few applications..Techron even covers this on their website..

http://www.chevron.com/products/ourf...tives/tcp.aspx

ChrisSlicks · 11-06-2009, 09:01 PM

Believe me the Nissan ones can get bent, they aren't as sturdy as the one you show. It happened to me with my G35.

j.arnaldo · 11-07-2009, 01:12 PM

In my '04.5 Touring Coupe, it's a gas tank issue, not the fuel gauge. I read somewhere that the fuel vapors in the tank "fool" the shut-off mechanism in the fuel nozzle, which stops dispensing the gas. When you get into your vehicle, the fuel gauge is slightly below the "F". Weird Nissan bugs.

ChrisSlicks · 11-07-2009, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j.arnaldo

In my '04.5 Touring Coupe, it's a gas tank issue, not the fuel gauge. I read somewhere that the fuel vapors in the tank "fool" the shut-off mechanism in the fuel nozzle, which stops dispensing the gas. When you get into your vehicle, the fuel gauge is slightly below the "F". Weird Nissan bugs.

I've had that too with my G35 but that's a different issue than here, you can usually tell the difference by how many gallons were dispensed.

j.arnaldo · 11-08-2009, 02:10 PM

True. Still, they're Nissan bugs that mess with your mind! Little annoyances that aggravate you 'cause you KNOW that Nissan could and should do better on those minor-but-irritating issues. I do admit, though, that the engine, cooling system, AT, electrical system, body integrity, etc., are very reliable.

Jason · 11-09-2009, 01:06 AM

it was weird seeing more dots light up today. lol. i was driving the car hard and saw two dots light up.

driving hard improves fuel economy...

j.arnaldo · 11-09-2009, 01:49 PM

Ha! Yeah, right!

Modshack · 11-09-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j.arnaldo

Ha! Yeah, right!

Well....sloshing the fuel around in there with some Techron does work...He's not wrong! ....

11-05-2009, 08:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jason Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 309 Drives: Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 16	Fuel Gauge Inaccuracy? My car had been in the bodyshop for 3-4 weeks and driven a total of 3 miles during that period. I go to auto-fill my tank today (it was on 1/16) and the when the pump stopped (when it's supposedly full), the gauge read 11/16. i'm confused because when i pump gas and i set the handle, it stops when it's full and i usually see a full 16/16 gauge. the pump charged me for 16.765 gallons and only shows 11/16. is it possible there is something wrong with the pump? or is it my gauge? it looks like i have space for another 6 gallons but i know my tank is 19 gal so i at least expected the 14/16 if i had a completely empty tank. i feel like i paid for a full tank but only see less than 3/4 on the gauge. the accident i was in caused me to get a new bumper, hood, fenders, and a few new front-end things. i wouldnt think the fuel sensor is up there somewhere so im out of ideas. i just want to make sure it's accurate so i dont get stranded somewhere. this post was longer than i expected but my head is sorta all over the place right now. lol. thanks in advance for any suggestions/ideas. Last edited by Jason; 11-05-2009 at 08:48 PM.

11-05-2009, 11:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
Modshack A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greenville NC Posts: 2,883 Drives: 370Z Sport Rep Power: 976	Probably a little corrosion on the sender contacts from sitting. Throw a bottle of techron in the tank. Often that will help scrub them clean.. __________________ Steal my car! (SOLD)...Now Porsche Cayman S Oil Cooler DIY: Here! Last edited by Modshack; 11-09-2009 at 11:39 AM.

11-06-2009, 12:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
Rogue Z Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 559 Drives: 2009 Silver MT 370Z Rep Power: 18	I heard Chevron 91 is better than Shell 91 __________________

11-06-2009, 07:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
Modshack A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greenville NC Posts: 2,883 Drives: 370Z Sport Rep Power: 976	I doubt they can get bent...The floats are very light and would not have enough momentum to bend the arm. What typically happens is the contacts on the reostat get gummed up or corroded especially when the fuel level is low. This isn't a Z sender, but is similar to what is used in most cars these days. As the arm, moves up it causes the contact wiper to make contact with the various pc board contacts. Further up (more fuel), more LEDs lit on the gauge. Techron is proven to clean these contacts. I've had plenty of Audi buddys who have brought their senders back from the dead with a few applications..Techron even covers this on their website.. http://www.chevron.com/products/ourf...tives/tcp.aspx __________________ Steal my car! (SOLD)...Now Porsche Cayman S Oil Cooler DIY: Here! Last edited by Modshack; 11-06-2009 at 07:53 PM.

11-09-2009, 01:06 AM	#13 (permalink)
Jason Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 309 Drives: Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 16	it was weird seeing more dots light up today. lol. i was driving the car hard and saw two dots light up. driving hard improves fuel economy... Last edited by Jason; 11-09-2009 at 02:17 AM.

11-06-2009, 12:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
Jason Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 309 Drives: Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 16	Woah woah mod, only Shell gets in this machine! Lol

11-06-2009, 12:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
pg6speed Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Antonio Posts: 223 Drives: 10 Armada Rep Power: 16	I pour in a bottle of Techron fuel system cleaner each oil change. Its great stuff, the company I work for does testing on all kinds of oils/fuels/filters/additives and those guys rave about how it actually worked compared to the others claims. For the op I also use shell but a bottle of Techron is good for your fuel system on occasion. Just my 2 cents.

11-06-2009, 01:15 AM	#6 (permalink)
Jason Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 309 Drives: Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 16	Ooo, I thought you guys were talking about chevron gas. Didn't know they had their own cleaner. I'll get some tomorrow.

11-06-2009, 06:26 PM	#7 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	Look at this exploded view of the fuel tank. 172 Fuel Tank :: Fuel & Engine Control :: Genuine Nissan Parts :: 370Z Parts (Z34) 2009+ :: Nissan Parts, NISMO and Nissan Accessories - Courtesyparts.com The sender has a float on the end of a metal arm. This arm can get bent, and a hard impact from a collision could certainly be enough to do that.

11-06-2009, 09:01 PM	#9 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	Believe me the Nissan ones can get bent, they aren't as sturdy as the one you show. It happened to me with my G35.

11-07-2009, 01:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
j.arnaldo Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 937 Drives: Nissan 350Z, 2004 Rep Power: 0	In my '04.5 Touring Coupe, it's a gas tank issue, not the fuel gauge. I read somewhere that the fuel vapors in the tank "fool" the shut-off mechanism in the fuel nozzle, which stops dispensing the gas. When you get into your vehicle, the fuel gauge is slightly below the "F". Weird Nissan bugs.

11-08-2009, 02:10 PM	#12 (permalink)
j.arnaldo Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 937 Drives: Nissan 350Z, 2004 Rep Power: 0	True. Still, they're Nissan bugs that mess with your mind! Little annoyances that aggravate you 'cause you KNOW that Nissan could and should do better on those minor-but-irritating issues. I do admit, though, that the engine, cooling system, AT, electrical system, body integrity, etc., are very reliable.

11-09-2009, 01:49 PM	#14 (permalink)
j.arnaldo Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 937 Drives: Nissan 350Z, 2004 Rep Power: 0	Ha! Yeah, right!

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