First some preface...
I have an 03 350Z with 75,405 miles on it. I bought it used with about 55k miles on it. Its driven very little, so I usually only put about $10 worth of gas in it, which gives me roughly 3 gallons (depends on price of gas). That will usually last between 70 to 90 miles, depending on how I drive. 99% of my driving is all local, literally - we live in a great central location in our area. Everything we need is within 5-8 miles of us.

Now the situation...
About 2 weeks ago on a Wednesday night, I put my regular $10 worth of gas in and had to do an errand run the next day. The next day as I started my errand run, I noticed that my gas light came on quicker than usual and the 'DTS' reading went down much quicker than usual. It took it almost no time at all for the dashed lines to appear, indicating no more gas! I usually don't even worry about that because I have 3 gas stations, literally right around the corner!

So I simply tried to estimate how much gas I had and put more in according to my estimates. That lasted (and worked) for about a week or so.

Now yesterday (Superbowl Sunday) I made 3 small trips to different stores in the morning - all ok. Then in the evening I had to make another trip to the store, and the car started fine but when I got to the first traffic light, I noticed on my tach that the revs were falling to about 500 or so when I was stopped at the light. So I put it in neutral (w/ parking brake engaged) and just tapped on the gas a bit to keep the revs up around 1k. Got to the store, let it idle and the revs went down to about 500 or so. Got my stuff, went home and enjoyed the superbowl!

Next morning (having forgotten about my little rev issue), I had to take my wife to work (her SUV is getting plugs) and when I went to turn on the engine - no go! It did want to start but DID NOT. I tried pumping some gas in it - and that did nothing. I just replaced the battery about 2 years ago, so I am pretty confident thats not it. Thinking that I might be out of gas, got my gas can and walked to the station and then walked back and put it in about 3 gallons of gas. No go, car still would not start...

Since I bought the car about 4 years ago now, I have not had to do anything to it (except the battery). So I am wandering if this is maybe a bad fuel filter, fuel pump, or fuel pressure regulator? Maybe (and this is hopeful thinking here) a blown fuse? What could it be?

NOTE: The car has had the Nissan TSB work done regarding the fuel rails at a local Nissan dealer.

 

hmm why dont u just fill your tank whats with this 5dollars of gas here n there bs? also in 20k miles uve only changed your battery? im sure u should of change some fluids IE: OIL by now.... even if you drive 50 miles in half a year u should change your oil.... i hope your cheapness has not cost you an expensive repair good luck

sorry i have no idea what could be wrong

 

I don't think anyone here trusts your "depending on how I drive" gas gauge... Plus you stated 3 gallons will get you 70-90 miles of City driving which is really really pushing it in the Z for no good reason??

1. Are you putting in premium gas??
2. Do you think your car runs better on fumes??
3. Is your driveway angled??

I suggest you put at least 10 GALLONS not dollars worth of gas in your poor starving Z and see what happens... If nothing, post back here and then we'll tell you tow it to the dealer and get a $100 diagnostic but since you didn't state that there are any lights on the dash, I doubt that would help much...

 

Bwhahaha. What's up with the $10 of gas? Fill it up masochist.

If in fact you did run out of gas, it probably mess up your fuel injectors. Your fuel filter is probably all clogged up too working off the bottom of the tank and refueling with that dirty gas can.

 

I was thinking it could be your fuel filter.

also wouldn't be surprised if this was a troll.

 

The reason I fill up $10 at a time is bcuz sometimes the car just sits there for a week or more. Its basically a second car. By not doing anything to my car, I meant to imply no major repairs. I change my oil every 3k or 3 months, whichever comes first. I tend to doubt that anyone who drives a Z is cheap, as they are not cheap to buy OR own.

 

Yes, I put in premium. I keep pretty good tabs on my gas mileage, I know it quite well. I've been doing it this way for quite some time. Whether it was smart or dumb to 'fill-up' the way I have been, doesn't matter right now - I can always change that. Just need some possible solutions. No lights came on the dash. Thanks.

 

That was my first thought, based on the mileage. And knowing now, that my refueling habit probably needs to change.

BTW - What is a 'troll'?

 

Nope, didn't run out of gas. I'm thinking it might be my fuel filter too. Need to change the way I fill up, got into a bad habit there. Gas can was relatively clean - only used once before. Thanks.

 

How many years did oil sit in the ground before he poured it in his car? I don't see what sitting in his oil pan does different than sitting in dirt....

Actually it does. Ever poured a cup of gas and put a lit cigarette in it? If not you should try it. It puts out the cigarette.

The fumes are the most flammable part of the gas. Why do you think the injectors spray such a fine mist? And when you are running a carb'd motor putting a spacer under it to lift the carb up away from the motor farther so your air and fuel can mix better (turning into more of a vapor or fume) will make it run better.

Running out of gas will do nothing to the fuel injectors. They come out of the box with no fuel in them. They are just a solenoid that allows fuel to go through. You can run them all day with no fuel and they will be fine. If you run out of fuel you need to cycle your key a few times letting the fuel pump get fuel back into the lines, crank the motor for 5-10 seconds, cycle the key a couple more times to build up pressure, then try cranking it again and it should fire up.

These cars don't have a fuel filter. The only thing that "Filters" the fuel is the sock on the fuel pump. And it sits on the bottom of the tank all the time anyways, so the fuel level has nothing to do with where it pulls the fuel from.

 

If you don't think its the fuel filter, since there isn't one, could it be the fuel pump/pressure regulator? Thanks for your post.

 

I'm gonna say check your fuel pressure.

First off, when you turn the key on do you hear the pump run? Should be a higher pitched noise. Don't start the car, just turn it to on. It should run 5ish seconds to prime the system to ready it for start.

I'm 95% sure it is your fuel pump as they rely on the fuel to stay cool. Since you have been keeping it almost empty is has been hanging out in the air instead of in the fuel letting it get hot.

 

@92K1500
Thanks for your post. I'll 'listen' for the pump today. What you say makes sense. I know heat wouldn't be good for it.

BTW,FYI - Check out justanswer.com (if you haven't already) and you could get paid for your answers.