sman

As you all know I just got a 99 camaro, non z28. I thought that the car was sold to me with a full tank of gas, not the case. The gas gauge is completely wrong, I figured after 3 or 4 days the gauge would have moved, but no, so I stoped and put $10 in, it took all of it. Which if you do the math 10 bux is like 1/3 of the tank, I think. I parked it on a hill this morning and then for the first time while the car was running I had 2/3 tank of gas, so obviously something is messed up. When the key is on, its past full, when the key is off it goes to empty, any ideas?

Thanks ahead of time!

blue89vert

It might be the sending unit. Those are really expensive and hard to install. If I was you I wouldn't mess with it, my car has the same problem.

96camaro

I know the 4th gen. tanks are shaped kinda like an upside down pyramid, so it takes longer for the gauge to go down in the top end. Once you actually get it to halfway it usually drops like crazy. I know when I first got my car I thought I was going to get like 800 km(roughly 500 miles) per tank because at the time I didn't know the shape. I'd say find out haw far other people are getting out of one tank, fill yours up and use the odometer to make sure your gauge isn't working. I'm sure after 200 miles you should see some difference if it's working.

archemedes

it's a modern car problem (most brands have the issue) the sending units are garbage, the gp is doing it now too

sman

Well for the last 3 fillups I have been going by the trip meter, reseting it each time, and for the last 3 times the trip meter hit the 115 range, my check gauges light comes on and seconds later the gas guage goes to E. Would that still be the sending unit?

Adric

My jeeps really dumb sometimes. Sometimes when im at 1/4 tnk the next thing I know im far below E.

blue89vert

my cars is just retarded it goes way up and than way down and just keeps moving. other times it just sits there and does nothing.

sman

Ok so if im not going to get it fixed, ill just continue to use the trip meter. About how many miles do all you non z28, 3.8L people get on a tank?

blue89vert

i guess 130-180 depending on habits...but dont listen to me

archemedes

it's the sending unit more than likely, you should get 250 to 300 a tank really, but I use 200 as my gauge in the gp with a s/c 3.8

Adric

I know paarman allmost got 400 on a tank with his 3.8 when your driving on highway forever.

blue89vert

oops