Notices
996 Forum 1999-2005
Sponsored by:

fuel gauge/fill issue?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-18-2018 | 10:45 PM
  #1  
shmelvin's Avatar
shmelvin
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 125
Likes: 4
From: Seattle, WA
Default fuel gauge/fill issue?

The last two times I have filled my 2002 C4 Cab the pump nozzle has clicked off and I have topped it a bit and then gone on my merry way, only to notice the gauge is registering 3/4 full. I talked to my mechanic who indicated (in his opinion ) that this is not a typical problem. I also had one fill up where it just kept clicking off and I eventually went to another station thinking it was the pumps problem, now I am thinking different? Next time I fill up I will take it down to almost empty and measure the fill. I just wanted to see if you guys have experienced a similar issue?
Old 12-18-2018 | 11:30 PM
  #2  
Coopduc's Avatar
Coopduc
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 855
Likes: 256
From: Asheville NC
Default

This is a common problem. My car never registers more than 7/8 full no matter how much fuel, even when fuel is up into the filler neck.
The following users liked this post:
Ratchet1025 (01-10-2020)
Old 12-18-2018 | 11:39 PM
  #3  
charlieaf92's Avatar
charlieaf92
Rennlist Member
 
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 930
Likes: 99
From: cincinnati
Default

This happens to me from time to time. I believe its related to the strange shape of the fuel tank (it is kind of like a U shaped around the front differential on the C4 and C4S).
Old 12-18-2018 | 11:51 PM
  #4  
808Bill's Avatar
808Bill
Rennlist Member
 
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 8,051
Likes: 810
From: Kauai
Default

Make sure you don't leave your engine running while filling up. I read that can cause similar issues.
Old 12-19-2018 | 01:18 AM
  #5  
Flyfishnick's Avatar
Flyfishnick
Rennlist Member
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 491
Likes: 189
From: Des Moines, WA
Default

My '99 never shows "Full" either. Not the end of the world for me, just odd. I am not going to lose sleep over my misreading
The following users liked this post:
Ratchet1025 (01-10-2020)
Old 12-19-2018 | 05:48 AM
  #6  
Hurdigurdiman's Avatar
Hurdigurdiman
Rennlist Member
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 25
From: Ephrata, PA, USA now. Originally from the UK
Default

My 99 has never showed a full tank. Always about 3/4 full. I have had the car the last 7 years and done 50,000 miles in it with no major problems.
The following users liked this post:
Ratchet1025 (01-10-2020)
Old 12-19-2018 | 09:57 AM
  #7  
exthree's Avatar
exthree
Racer
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 311
Likes: 34
From: Marco Island
Default

I always fuel my 996 using the lowest/slowest notch on the nozzle handle, stop filling on the first click, and never top off the tank. Fuel gauge shows "full" ten out of ten times with this process. /X3
Old 12-19-2018 | 10:08 AM
  #8  
bpoteat's Avatar
bpoteat
Racer
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 339
Likes: 19
From: South Carolina
Default

2003 C4S checking in. Many times mine will click that it's done but only be 3/4 full. I can usually pull the nozzle out slightly or just adjust it a bit and finish it up.
Old 12-19-2018 | 07:19 PM
  #9  
islaTurbine's Avatar
islaTurbine
Drifting
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,725
Likes: 449
From: The ATL
Default

My 99 does it as well. And my low fuel light comes on at just under the 1/4 mark. #annoying
The following users liked this post:
Ratchet1025 (01-10-2020)
Old 12-19-2018 | 09:31 PM
  #10  
TechSavvySam's Avatar
TechSavvySam
Racer
 
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 254
Likes: 18
From: Roswell, GA
Default

Mine shows full. I did learn on my first fill up to NOT top it off as gas spewed everywhere pretty much as I started slowly pumping after the first shutoff. I have to fiddle with my G35 to get it full after the first shutoff.
Old 12-20-2018 | 09:40 AM
  #11  
Mike Murphy's Avatar
Mike Murphy
Rennlist Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,051
Likes: 1,781
From: Chicago, IL
Default

Mine has never showed full, always 7/8ths and even when driving with the light on for a long time, I still cannot get more than 15 gallons in the tank.

The reason is because the gauge requires calibration due to how it works: it guesses at how much fuel is in the tank due to the tank’s irregular shape. The calibration procedure is non-trivial. One way to fix it didn’t work for me: fill the car all the way up (one-click refill), disconnect the battery for 15 mins, reconnect.
The following users liked this post:
Ratchet1025 (01-10-2020)
Old 12-20-2018 | 10:05 AM
  #12  
2002C2's Avatar
2002C2
Rennlist Member
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 256
Likes: 56
From: Connecticut
Default

Same experience as techsavvysam in post #10. Always shows full and don’t add another drop after the click. Learned my lesson the hard way as well.
Old 12-21-2018 | 07:49 AM
  #13  
dcsjc's Avatar
dcsjc
Rennlist Member
 
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 223
Likes: 66
From: San Jose, CA
Default

2004 C4S I have had the same partial fill issue. Found a trick that works every time but it’s tedious: push in the gas nozzle and hold the handle UP so the tip of the nozzle touches DOWN in the filler neck. When it finally clicks, it’s always full. Going for one more “click” to top it off results in an embarrassing spill (“doot-de-doo, don’t mind me while I stand here and hold this while gas drips out under my car...”)

I used to drive old Mercedes diesels and always had to be careful about foaming while filling. Seems like a similar effect in my C4S. My theory is that holding the tip of the gas nozzle against the filler pipe makes for a nice smooth flow so no bubbles or foam. Could be wrong but the mental model works for me every time.
Old 12-21-2018 | 09:44 AM
  #14  
Mike Murphy's Avatar
Mike Murphy
Rennlist Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,051
Likes: 1,781
From: Chicago, IL
Default

^^ There are two separate issues.

One is the gauge that’s wrong. In this case, the tank is full, but the gauge shows 7/8ths. The second is the issue you are describing, which is the inability to fill the tank completely from the nozzle.

I’m sure some people might confuse the two, especially newbies because there’s no easy way to figure it out.
Old 12-21-2018 | 10:43 AM
  #15  
BTERRY1's Avatar
BTERRY1
Racer
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 317
Likes: 23
From: San Diego, CA
Default

Rotate the nozzle so the base is at 9 o’clock. You have to hold it there. Read this a while back. Either here or Renntech. Works for me.


Quick Reply: fuel gauge/fill issue?



All times are GMT -3. The time now is 07:01 PM.