Start car Up = Burning up a chunk of gas?

[daflameking]

Ok. Ive noticed this for a while now and I just now payed attention to it since I had my tank filled up to the brim when i refueled earlier this week.

Theres a problem whenever I start my car, (1995 e34 525i), it always takes out a chunk of gas (not that big) but its noticeable.

For example, I filled my tank to the top top top and the gas station is like 2 miles away from home. I park my car at home, check the gas meter, its still at the top top and turn it off. The next day I go in, start the car, boom, the car went down like 1/8.

An example is below. Thursday evening, i parked and turned off the car at exactly half a tank.
http://kartextreme.net/other/davis/gasgauge1.jpg
Then when i start the car on Friday morning it moved down this much.
http://kartextreme.net/other/davis/gasgauge2.jpg

Is this normal? I'm thinking its the fuel injectors or fuel pump. Anyone? Im just saying cuz i saw how big the e34 fuel tank is (its huuuuuuuge) lol

[SC David]

Most fuel gauges are not accurate below 1/2 tank in my experience. Take the reading with a grain of salt. I rely on the trip odometer and I usually fill up once I get to about 350 miles. The tank is 18 gallons for 525i's I believe.

[Rebel635csi]

yea, my guage is not accurate either...

when i drive it would show me 20L, park it (slight incline) and when i turn it back on its glowing amber...reverse out, leave and start driving and BAM goes back up to 20L

[screwbiedoo15]

I wouldn't worry about it all. The fuel gauges aren't very accurate on these cars. For example, I can go like 200 miles and it'll be at half a tank. and then within 15 miles it can drop down to where it says it only has 1/4 of a tank. i really doubt your car is guzzling gas when you start it, it's just the gauge isn't that accurate

[daflameking]

ah ok. i was confused cuz other cars i drive its pretty accurate lol.

ill take up your advices on using the trip to keep me on pace.

thanks

[bmwpower]

You should try driving an older Ford. My truck's gas gauge swings from high to low all the time, when stopping/starting. New sender should fix it, but eh, it's an old Ford truck...why bother.

[4500 RPM]

Meh, who cares...I just fill it up when the light is being serious...it false alarms when parked on a hill.

[skylinergtr]

You should try driving an older Ford. My truck's gas gauge swings from high to low all the time, when stopping/starting. New sender should fix it, but eh, it's an old Ford truck...why bother.

my explorer is like that all the time. it bugs the shiz out of me. it would have over half a tank, then it would go way down and then the computer would keep beeping at me to say low fuel. mind you the car is very bad in city driving, and i have a heavy foot. but i know the guage is in accurate and that it moves all over the place.

[zubbie]

The fuel gauge on E34 is fed by a float in the tank. It's gonna move depending on the angle of the car and the slosh in the tank. As a point of note it generally is a bad idea to fill a tank to the top-top-top as this is when dangerous fumes escape that can be ignited. And yes "static" can ignite the fumes particularly if you get back in the vehicle and then touch the fuel nozzle again. (thus creating a static charge)

http://www.pei.org/Uploads/static.avi