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Thread: Question on gas gauge

  1. #1
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    Question on gas gauge

    As I mentioned in an earlier post I just bought my wife a "showroom condition" 98 Z3 Roadster. And she hasn't driven her Nissan 370z since. Anyway I noticed when re-fueling that the gas gauge doesn't ever show full, and I have tried to get more gas in it but the pump handle keeps shutting off.

    So my question is, is this ordinary or might there be a problem with the vent tube?

  2. #2
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    It could be the sending unit, but you don't want to overfill the gas tank. That will cause other issues over time.

    These may help ...
    https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...for-fuel-Gauge
    https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...stuck-on-empty
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  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by SEP1006 View Post
    ... when re-fueling that the gas gauge doesn't ever show full, and I have tried to get more gas in it but the pump handle keeps shutting off.... is this ordinary or might there be a problem with the vent tube?
    Many people in many forums have reported that adding Techron helps the gauge -- possibly by freeing the sender of gum or cleaning its resistor card contacts of corrosion. Run the tank down, put in a double dose, fill up, and see if it helps.

    "... TECHRON Concentrate Plus is formulated with a deposit control additive which can clean sulfur corrosion, a possible cause of fuel gauge malfunction."
    http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...1279/N0407.oap

    Over-riding the gas pump shut-off on a full tank does not affect the gauge, and can put gas into the evaporative vent system and cause an emissions code.
    Last edited by Vintage42; 06-19-2017 at 10:14 AM.
    BMW MOA 696, BMW CCA 1405

  4. #4
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    Thanks for the responses and I guess it's not a big issue just an annoyance. I'm going to let the tank get close to empty and then refill with the added techron as suggested. I'm curious to see how many gallons it will take before the fuel nozzle clicks off.

  5. #5
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    I just got my Z3 a few weeks ago and I have the a similar problem in reverse: My gauge is stuck on full. I reset my trip odometer to look at miles. I drive mostly around town and did 110miles before refilling it and put in 6.5 Gallons, so I'm guessing I can go 180miles safely without running out of gas. I had some seafoam on hand and used that to see if it will clean it. Once I work through this tank, if that did not work, I'll try out the techron.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by SEP1006 View Post
    As I mentioned in an earlier post I just bought my wife a "showroom condition" 98 Z3 Roadster. And she hasn't driven her Nissan 370z since. Anyway I noticed when re-fueling that the gas gauge doesn't ever show full, and I have tried to get more gas in it but the pump handle keeps shutting off.

    So my question is, is this ordinary or might there be a problem with the vent tube?
    Something similar happened to me. I thought this was an issue related to a stuck gas gauge and/or sender not reading what I thought was a full tank, the issue was related to a bad shutoff (purge) valve.
    Last edited by ProductUser; 06-20-2017 at 03:38 PM.

  7. #7
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    My 2000 M Roadster's fuel gauge shows full after a fill up. If anything, it seems to show 1/2 full after ~200 miles, then it drops pretty fast. I can get ~300 miles on a tank, but usually fill it after 200-250 miles. My low fuel light does come on around 1/4 tank.
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  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by potxoli View Post
    ... I had some seafoam on hand and used that to see if it will clean it. Once I work through this tank, if that did not work, I'll try out the techron.
    I think Seafoam lacks PEA, polyether amine, an ingredient found in most of the other fuel system cleaners like Techron, Red Line SI-1, Amsoil Pi, and Gumout Regane.
    BMW MOA 696, BMW CCA 1405

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Vintage42 View Post
    I think Seafoam lacks PEA, polyether amine, an ingredient found in most of the other fuel system cleaners like Techron, Red Line SI-1, Amsoil Pi, and Gumout Regane.
    Good to know. I will get some techron for sure. My list for Autozone is increasing by the day

  10. #10
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    I prefer BG 44k for a fuel system cleaner

  11. #11
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    what is a 2007 Z3? Z3 model years are 1996-2002.
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  12. #12
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    I don't know what you are talking about... Just kidding, thank you for the feedback. Typo on my profile. My Z3 is a Jan 1997 build date.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by potxoli View Post
    I don't know what you are talking about... Just kidding, thank you for the feedback. Typo on my profile. My Z3 is a Jan 1997 build date.
    It's all good. Just bringing it to your attention!
    2001 Z3 3.0i -Oxford Green/Sandbeige
    2016 428xi -Estoril Blue II/Black
    2018 430iC- Estoril Blue II/Black
    2018 330it - Melbourne Red/Venetian Beige/Black

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by ProductUser View Post
    I prefer BG 44k for a fuel system cleaner
    It also has PEA.

    "Chevron Techron Concentrate Plus (or similar known PEA-containing (polyether amine) fuel system cleaner products like Gumout Regane, Redline SI-1, Amsoil Performance Improver, and BG Products 44K)"
    -- a few posts into this thread:
    https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1865221
    BMW MOA 696, BMW CCA 1405

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by ProductUser View Post
    Something similar happened to me. I thought this was an issue related to a stuck gas gauge and/or sender not reading what I thought was a full tank, the issue was related to a bad shutoff (purge) valve.

    That's kind of what I was thinking. Once the tank gets empty I will re-fill and add techron, just curious to see how many gallons it shows that I put in.

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