I've only had my shark for about three weeks so I haven't had that many fillups yet, but here's what appears to be happening...

When full, the gauge only reads 3/4 full. Then, the gauge goes down at a reasonable rate. The gauge goes past empty at about 160-180 miles (city driving) and the fuel empty light came on at about 210 miles. When I filled at approx 220 miles I put about 20 gallons.

I've read a couple good threads on gas gauge/fuel sending unit, but my symptoms are slightly different and I'm not sure what to pursue. Since I put in 20+ gallons, I don't think I have a kink in the fill hose. And since the gauge goes down right away, I don't think fuel level sensor is 'sticking' at the top. Is it possible there is something wrong at the 'gauge side'?

 

Perx,

I have the exact same thing happen to my shark. It takes around 15 gallons or so to fill up. Never goes past the 3/4 mark.

This is way, way down the list of things to fix on the shark. How can all of us have kinked hoses?

Tom

 

Mine never goes past 3/4 either when I fill it up. I've just accepted it. I have bigger projects to tackle first.

I can say though, that since buying the car last October, the gauge reads just a hair more each time I fill up the tank. At this rate, by the year 2008 the gauge should read full.

 

Add me to the "me too" list. The gas gauge in my '88 S4, even after the tank is completely full, never reads more than 3/4 full. I just drive it until the gauge is below the bottom mark, then fill 'er up. Like others, I have many other projects to do first -- motor mounts, steering rack boots, tie rods, oil pan gasket, cam cover gaskets, front tires, intake and cam cover powdercoat, A/C conversion, etc. Someday, I'll be able to just wash it and drive it.

 

I just filled up. It was 15 gallons. Can everyone else post what it takes so that will help us all trouble shoot it alittle.

I'm really jealous of Perx. I wish my sharks biggest thorn was the fuel gauge bug and not brakes, water pump, TB, thermostat, etc ... Needs to be replaced.

I suppose Perx also has the front spoiler with no damage too!

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

 

Alas,
If the gauge is reading properly -not sure about you 20 gal fill-up guy''s- Ed, Wally, Dennis and many others have posted replies to this gremlin.
Greg Nichols site:
<a href="http://nichols.nu/tips.com" target="_blank">http://nichols. nu/tips.com</a>
has , I believe at least two, possibly three quick resolutions to the problem.
Some of them described by the folks above.
If you do some serious archive digging -change parameter from last 120 day's to ALL the same stuff can be found. Along with the dreaded gas fume smell in the garage cure.
HTH

 

I have this issue as well. I replaced the sending unit in the tank to no avail. I understand this is a pretty common problem with the VDO's and is related to a resistor in the gauge. Another electrical issue in a 928???....go figure. If you let the gauge ride down all the way to the bottom, it will stay there for a while and the low fuel light will come on. Thankfully, the low fuel sensor doesn't seem to be affected by the gauge problem. I seem to remember that there's 5 gals left at that point although I may be optimistic. The owner's manual will tell you for sure.

I hear the only solution is taking the pod apart and fixing the gauge / resistor.

rotsa ruck Rorge,

 

If your tank holds less than 20 gallons (plus 2 gallons reserve), the plastic gas tank has probably collapsed due to inadequate venting of the tank.

This is a fairly common problem.

 

And the cure is?
Nichols site

 

If your tank holds less than 20 gallons (plus 2 gallons reserve), the plastic gas tank has probably collapsed due to inadequate venting of the tank.

This is a fairly common problem

So its normal then?

 

Okay, don't flame me...too much. I cheated, when I replaced the odometer gear recently, I pulled the gas gauge needle off and repositioned it upwards a bit. Goes all the way to full now and, holds 11+ gallons at the 1/2 mark. Flame on!

Anthony Tate
79/928 Silver Metallic

 

the fuel lever sender is a simple float which slides up and down a long loop of wire . The float completes a circuit . The shorter the circuit the less resistance the higher the gauge reads . When the float hits bottom it completes a different circuit and turns on the warning light . Corrosion on the wires or connectors increases the resistance and gives an incorrect low reading . The inability to fill the tank is a different issue . The tank is shaped like a tea pot with a spout . You add fuel in the spout BUT the spout attaches near the bottom of the tank so a large bubble of air would be trapped except for the fact that there is a hose attached to the top of the main body which passes through a hole in the chassis before attaching to the top of the spout . This hose vents the air bubble . If the tank has been removed the hose may be improperly routed (pinched) and prevent the escape of the air .

 

Thanks for the responses everyone. OK, newbie mistake--should have checked Nichols first! I feel I have the guidence I needed. I'm going to check the voltage maybe just move the fuel gauge needle if all checks out.

Thanks everyone!

 

Tom King, sounds like your problem is the vent hose.

Curt..