nagaraja
Registered: 07/31/09
Posts: 2
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| #1 |
My '97 Altima runs out of gas after using only about 10 gallons of gas. When I fill it, the gas gauge reads just over half a tank. There's no leak. I bought the car with 17k on it. Now it has 105k. It's supposed to have a 16 gal tank. It ran out of gas after about 13 gal then, and has gotten progressively worse. It was under warranty when I bought it. The dealer replaced the gas gauge (sending unit, I presume), but that didn't fix the problem. The gas gauge has never gone all the way to full.
What's the cause of this problem?
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MasterTech
Super Moderators
Registered: 06/02/09
Posts: 38
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| #2 |
Most gas gauge problems like this are due to the fuel tank sending unit in the gas tank. If this problem has been happening even after the sending unit was replaced then you could have a problem with the actual fuel gauge.
The fuel gauges can be tested with the proper equipment but if the fuel gauge is bad the complete cluster will need to be replaced or repaired. There are several companies that will repair your cluster if it bad.
If the gauge tests good and the fuel tank unit is good then you could have a wiring problem in the fuel gauge circut.
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nagaraja
Registered: 07/31/09
Posts: 2
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| #3 |
It doesn't seem like the gauge could contribute to it running out of gas after ten gallons.
Someone mentioned that there's something in the tank that siphons the gas, and something might cause the siphoning effect to deteriorate. I'm just not sure this non-mechanic knows what he's talking about. Is there any logic to what he said?
It does seem like the sending unit is only able to get to part of the tank, presumably the top part.
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MasterTech
Super Moderators
Registered: 06/02/09
Posts: 38
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| #4 |
The fuel pump is in the gas tank and it pumps the fuel out of the tank, the pump creates a suction at the bottom of the fuel tank and draws out the fuel.
If there is a problem inside the fuel tank -like a broken baffle inside the tank or the "sock" (this is like a filter) at the bottom of the fuel pump it would cause this type of problem.
A broken baffle inside the tank would also keep the gauge from reading full.
I think you are going to have to remove the fuel tank and do some inspections. This should find your problem.
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