Gas tank wont go to full

AbeFroman · 07-02-2009, 12:14 PM

I got the car from a relative 2 weeks ago and got gas twice at Chevron. Both times it only went up to 7/8ths full. This last time it put in 10 gallons when the level was between 1/8 and 1/4. Do - really have 7/8 or is the guage broken?

M_Six · 07-02-2009, 01:12 PM

If your feet smell like gasoline and the gauge says it's not full, you need a new gauge.

reRESERVEDFX · 07-02-2009, 01:14 PM

LMFAO

Good one M six :P

caseysc · 07-02-2009, 02:10 PM

Run a tank with Techron added. This cleans the fuel system including the sensor. Might take two tanks to clean the system adequately. This treatment is recommended by BMW every 3K miles.

I also recommend you use "Top Tier" gas which has a cleaner in it. BTW, Chevron is one of the Top Tier gases. I personally use Shell V-tech here in SC and my particular station also advertises no ethanol added.

Check out this web site: http://www.toptiergas.com/index.html

Konketsu · 07-02-2009, 06:22 PM

I had this same problem using Chevron in my car a couple times over the 1st year I had the car (occurred using 92 and 94 octane). Once, the gas gauge wouldn't go past 2/3 full, but the next day it started to slowly go up to full.

Then I switched to Shell V-power 91 octane and have never had this happen again. I read somewhere that something in the Chevron gas makes the sensor dirty and read wrong.

imz4n · 07-04-2009, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AbeFroman

I got the car from a relative 2 weeks ago and got gas twice at Chevron. Both times it only went up to 7/8ths full. This last time it put in 10 gallons when the level was between 1/8 and 1/4. Do - really have 7/8 or is the guage broken?

There are two sensors one inside the tank and one outside the tank IIRC. I just fill the tank and go. I do not always get the indication of a full tank on mine 7/8 just like you. the 03-04 had issues with this. Most had a larger issue than I have only showing 1/2 of a tank. IMHO as long as it tells me when empty I am good to go.

AbeFroman · 07-14-2009, 06:40 PM

I went with Shell V-Power 91 Octane today. I had driven about 298 miles, the gauge was just under the 1/8th mark, and the low level light was on. I filled it with 11.8 gallons. The level only went up to 7/8ths again. Is the tank really at 7/8ths or is it full?

I recently had inspection 1 done and they were supposed to add techron additive, so I assume I don't need to do that again, do I?

caseysc · 07-14-2009, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AbeFroman

I went with Shell V-Power 91 Octane today. I had driven about 298 miles, the gauge was just under the 1/8th mark, and the low level light was on. I filled it with 11.8 gallons. The level only went up to 7/8ths again. Is the tank really at 7/8ths or is it full?

I recently had inspection 1 done and they were supposed to add techron additive, so I assume I don't need to do that again, do I?

I suggest you ask your relative if he had the same problem. I filled mine today when the gage read just under 1/4 tank and it took over 11 gal. Sounds like your gage is off. The problem is not critical to operation since it reads in the conservative direction (you have more gas than the gage says). Relax and enjoy the ride.

AbeFroman · 07-14-2009, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caseysc

I suggest you ask your relative if he had the same problem. I filled mine today when the gage read just under 1/4 tank and it took over 11 gal. Sounds like your gage is off. The problem is not critical to operation since it reads in the conservative direction (you have more gas than the gage says). Relax and enjoy the ride.

When is the low level light technically supposed to come on? Unfortunately, I can't ask my relative since I inherited the car.

aerobod · 07-14-2009, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AbeFroman

I got the car from a relative 2 weeks ago and got gas twice at Chevron. Both times it only went up to 7/8ths full. This last time it put in 10 gallons when the level was between 1/8 and 1/4. Do - really have 7/8 or is the guage broken?

The last few litres in the tank need to be put in more slowly on some pumps to avoid the pump cutting out too soon, I usually ease the pump trigger to about half way for the last 10 litres (2.5 gallons) or so.

The tank is about 55 litres / 14.5 US gallons, so 10 gallons from between 1/8 and 1/4 full will probably only take it to 7/8.

caseysc · 07-15-2009, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AbeFroman

When is the low level light technically supposed to come on? Unfortunately, I can't ask my relative since I inherited the car.

The technician training manual says the light comes on when fuel level drops to 8 liters which is about 2 gallons. Mine comes on at around the the 1/8 mark. That equates to about 2 gal based on a 14.5 gallon tank.

cabear · 07-21-2009, 10:27 PM

try resetting the battery, i had the same problem and i thought i had a faulty gauge or sender unit. i unhooked the ground from the battery, waitied 20 min and put it back, it worked correctly right after.

AbeFroman · 08-03-2009, 10:47 PM

I filled up again and this time I pumped a little more gas after it clicked. It clicked again pretty quickly after. The gas gauge went between the 7/8th mark and full. So I assume the gauge is working? It always went to the 7/8th mark before and not over. Is there a way to make the nozzle not sense the tank is full prematurely? I tried pumping the gas at the slowest rate and with the nozzle not fully in. I used Shell again.

07-02-2009, 12:14 PM	#1
AbeFroman Private First Class 13 Rep 140 Posts Drives: Z4 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Gas tank wont go to full I got the car from a relative 2 weeks ago and got gas twice at Chevron. Both times it only went up to 7/8ths full. This last time it put in 10 gallons when the level was between 1/8 and 1/4. Do - really have 7/8 or is the guage broken?
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07-02-2009, 01:12 PM	#2
M_Six Free Thinker 16788 Rep 7,454 Posts Drives: 2016 MB GLC300 4matic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Foothills of Mt Level iTrader: (0)	If your feet smell like gasoline and the gauge says it's not full, you need a new gauge. __________________ Mark markj.pics "There is no shame in dropping fruit in your glass." -UncleWede
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07-02-2009, 01:14 PM	#3
reRESERVEDFX (oO (\|\|\|\|) (\|\|\|\|) Oo) 10 Rep 165 Posts Drives: 06 BMW Z4 3.0i 03 BMW M5 DINAN Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Downers Grove, IL iTrader: (0)	LMFAO Good one M six :P __________________ 2006 Porsche 911 C4S Black/Black 6MT/Sport Chrono/Extended Leather/GT2 bucket seats/Turbo wheels Soon to come 07 BMW Z4M Coupe Black/Red
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07-02-2009, 02:10 PM	#4
caseysc Second Lieutenant 9 Rep 274 Posts Drives: 2010 128i Conv. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Aiken, SC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 Z4 2.5i [8.00]	Run a tank with Techron added. This cleans the fuel system including the sensor. Might take two tanks to clean the system adequately. This treatment is recommended by BMW every 3K miles. I also recommend you use "Top Tier" gas which has a cleaner in it. BTW, Chevron is one of the Top Tier gases. I personally use Shell V-tech here in SC and my particular station also advertises no ethanol added. Check out this web site: http://www.toptiergas.com/index.html
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07-02-2009, 06:22 PM	#5
Konketsu New Member 0 Rep 14 Posts Drives: 2003 Z4 3.0i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vancouver, Canada iTrader: (0)	I had this same problem using Chevron in my car a couple times over the 1st year I had the car (occurred using 92 and 94 octane). Once, the gas gauge wouldn't go past 2/3 full, but the next day it started to slowly go up to full. Then I switched to Shell V-power 91 octane and have never had this happen again. I read somewhere that something in the Chevron gas makes the sensor dirty and read wrong. __________________ 2003 Z4 3.0i Black Sapphire Sport Premium Convenience Hardtop 18x8.5 TRMotorsport MT1 225/40ZR-18 Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric
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07-14-2009, 06:40 PM	#7
AbeFroman Private First Class 13 Rep 140 Posts Drives: Z4 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	I went with Shell V-Power 91 Octane today. I had driven about 298 miles, the gauge was just under the 1/8th mark, and the low level light was on. I filled it with 11.8 gallons. The level only went up to 7/8ths again. Is the tank really at 7/8ths or is it full? I recently had inspection 1 done and they were supposed to add techron additive, so I assume I don't need to do that again, do I?
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07-21-2009, 10:27 PM	#12
cabear Enlisted Member 4 Rep 31 Posts Drives: 03 Z4 2.5i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: fresno, ca iTrader: (0)	try resetting the battery, i had the same problem and i thought i had a faulty gauge or sender unit. i unhooked the ground from the battery, waitied 20 min and put it back, it worked correctly right after.
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08-03-2009, 10:47 PM	#13
AbeFroman Private First Class 13 Rep 140 Posts Drives: Z4 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	I filled up again and this time I pumped a little more gas after it clicked. It clicked again pretty quickly after. The gas gauge went between the 7/8th mark and full. So I assume the gauge is working? It always went to the 7/8th mark before and not over. Is there a way to make the nozzle not sense the tank is full prematurely? I tried pumping the gas at the slowest rate and with the nozzle not fully in. I used Shell again.
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