Gas gauge problem
08-09-2006, 11:08 AM
#1
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Gas gauge problem
My fuel arm is odd, i drove 100 miles after a fill up quite easily, shows im averaging around 20.9 mpg and it is showing I only have a half a tank of gas left.....But once it gets below half a tank, it hardly moves at all and this kinda bugs me...Its like it doesnt move at the proper rate until less them half empty....
Also, when I fill it up with gas, most the time it stops around 10 gallons, and will only let me put like 15 cents in at a time before it stops the gas pump...I then wait a few seconds and try again, another 15 cents...this is very annoying...any ideas and if they are related?
I have a barely 3 month old 06 Enthusiast...
Also, when I fill it up with gas, most the time it stops around 10 gallons, and will only let me put like 15 cents in at a time before it stops the gas pump...I then wait a few seconds and try again, another 15 cents...this is very annoying...any ideas and if they are related?
I have a barely 3 month old 06 Enthusiast...
08-09-2006, 11:15 AM
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I have an 06 touring and I am having the same problem, My gauge is reading correct, but when I go to put gas in it, it only lets me put 6-8 gallons at a time. I read on some other threads that there is a valve in the tank that needs to be replaced, I am taking mine in on Friday. 
08-09-2006, 11:38 AM
#6
The problem can be a bad shutter valve. I had the same issue and had Nissan replace my shutter valve under warranty. This problem occurred on the 2003-2005 350Z models. Here is a link that tells you in detail what has to be done. And the needle problem on your gas gauge can be a bad sending unit.
Link: http://www.nissanhelp.com/Ownership/.../NTB05-048.htm
Link: http://www.nissanhelp.com/Ownership/.../NTB05-048.htm
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08-09-2006, 12:16 PM
#8
<-- O6 Touring
I seem to be able to fill up completely and have no issues with topping it off. However, the fuel gauge from full to half is quicker than it is from half to empty. Last week I ran as much fuel out as I could mentally handle; gauge pretty much stayed just under 1/4. When I fueled up it only took 15 gallons which is what I usually put in when it is right on 1/4 tank. I generally put about 150 miles on the first half tank and by the time I hit 1/4 I have hit 300. This time I had 365 miles on it. If I would have kept going since the fuel gauge said I had more I suppose I could have got another 100+ miles out of it/but then again maybe not... Oh, DTE said I had 20 miles to go.
I seem to be able to fill up completely and have no issues with topping it off. However, the fuel gauge from full to half is quicker than it is from half to empty. Last week I ran as much fuel out as I could mentally handle; gauge pretty much stayed just under 1/4. When I fueled up it only took 15 gallons which is what I usually put in when it is right on 1/4 tank. I generally put about 150 miles on the first half tank and by the time I hit 1/4 I have hit 300. This time I had 365 miles on it. If I would have kept going since the fuel gauge said I had more I suppose I could have got another 100+ miles out of it/but then again maybe not... Oh, DTE said I had 20 miles to go.
08-09-2006, 04:45 PM
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I was having a problem filling up to.. I could only get 8 gallons and then I only showed 1/2 tank. I have an appt with the dealer tomorrow. I don't think this problem ended with the 2005 model year.. my baby is only a few weeks old.
08-10-2006, 11:13 AM
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Okay, so I got a call back from the service guy and his answer was "there's no fix, just make sure you wiggle the nozzle next time". I went off and pointed out that I've owned 12 cars and 2 motorcycles in 8 years and am well aware of the procedure for filling a gas tank. I've tried different angles, different stations and different pumps...etc.
Anyway, I ended up speaking to the manager and his answer was because gas tanks are no longer allowed to vent to the air and that the design of the tank and the hot weather can "trick" the pump into thinking the car is full because the vapors are taking up space in the tank. He also said letting your tank get low will make this effect worse. His suggestion was that I point the tip towards the taillights and try to refill in the morning and to keep the tank above a quarter of a tank. After thinking if I should ask if I should also only refuel on full moons that fall on the 12th hour of the 2nd Tuesday of every month, I instead asked him to agree that this is abnormal and he said it wasn't... that's it's common on many Nissan model. I have an 05 Xterra and no problem. My friends own a 2003 Altima and a 2005 Pathfinder and don't have this problem. I've know people that have been buying Nissans for years and not had this problem, with the exception of the 03-05 Zs.
Now, I'm a pretty patient guy and I love my Z, but I'm not an idiot. Either they don't know what they're doing or it's a design flaw. I haven't had the Z long enough to test, retest and dispute, but I'm hoping you guys can chime in.
Also, I was kind enough to print up the 03-05 bulletin and the responsewas that problem only applied to people that couldn't get gas into their car at all, and not people that could only get some gas in the tank and that the 06 production models include the new shutter valve.
In the meantime, if you have an '06 and are having this problem, make sure that you let Nissan know (800-Nissan1)... the more issues we report the more likely they'll review.
Anyway, I ended up speaking to the manager and his answer was because gas tanks are no longer allowed to vent to the air and that the design of the tank and the hot weather can "trick" the pump into thinking the car is full because the vapors are taking up space in the tank. He also said letting your tank get low will make this effect worse. His suggestion was that I point the tip towards the taillights and try to refill in the morning and to keep the tank above a quarter of a tank. After thinking if I should ask if I should also only refuel on full moons that fall on the 12th hour of the 2nd Tuesday of every month, I instead asked him to agree that this is abnormal and he said it wasn't... that's it's common on many Nissan model. I have an 05 Xterra and no problem. My friends own a 2003 Altima and a 2005 Pathfinder and don't have this problem. I've know people that have been buying Nissans for years and not had this problem, with the exception of the 03-05 Zs.
Now, I'm a pretty patient guy and I love my Z, but I'm not an idiot. Either they don't know what they're doing or it's a design flaw. I haven't had the Z long enough to test, retest and dispute, but I'm hoping you guys can chime in.
Also, I was kind enough to print up the 03-05 bulletin and the responsewas that problem only applied to people that couldn't get gas into their car at all, and not people that could only get some gas in the tank and that the 06 production models include the new shutter valve.
In the meantime, if you have an '06 and are having this problem, make sure that you let Nissan know (800-Nissan1)... the more issues we report the more likely they'll review.
08-10-2006, 11:29 PM
#18
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I still have hassles often when trying to fill up even on a 4 degree (freezing cold morning). Like you had lots of cars, including 2 previous brand new Nissan's and not had this problem. Mind you my 350 has turned out to be a goldmine of heaps of TSB's.
08-11-2006, 02:04 PM
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Well, nothing pisses me off more than when some 19 year old tech tells me to wiggle the nozzle... wtf?
The good news is that the only way to prove me wrong it to fill up my tank, which they did at no charge.
So, every time I have the problem.. back to the dealer...
The good news is that the only way to prove me wrong it to fill up my tank, which they did at no charge.
So, every time I have the problem.. back to the dealer...
08-11-2006, 09:10 PM
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I went to the dealer today and after 7 hours they concluded that the flaper valve needs to be replaced and that there is a TSB for it. He did not get me the number. They ordered the part and and will be takin the Z in next week to repair(hopefully) the problem.