First of all, i would like to apologize if there answer is easily found on search. I've been searching for 2 days and can't find the answers so I am just going to request some help.

I bought a 2003 Base Z with 55k miles on it a few days ago. One of the two problem it has deals with the fuel gauge. I'll try to explain it to the best of my ability.

When I first refueled the car, the tank was assumed to be full since the gas station pump "clicked" and cut off the gas to my car. Upon start up, I saw that the gas meter was 3/4 full, so I turned off the car and attempted to refuel again, but only ended up topping it off.

As I drive the car more, the fuel gauge seems to empty faster then what is expected, of course I do not know what's typical of the Z, having it for a mere few days. Now my fuel gauge stays on empty, but the "DTE" says I have like 160 miles left... I'm baffled. My initial guess is the fuel sensor has gone bad. I've checked my garage and there's no signs of leaks or anything along those lines. Does anyone know what's going on or is able to point in me in the right direction for help? It would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

the fuel guages are notorious for working wierd... when i park on a hill i lose half a tank of gas :/

 

The orginal owner probably changed the fuel pump and the hoses/wiring are caught on the basket or float tang

 

These fuel gauges for some reason do that alot, I still havent figure out why. Mine does that $hit too but mainly in the city. Your gonna have to manually calculate inbetween refueling milage/amount of gas put in to figure it out.

 

Yes this is a common problem in the 03's. Here is where I fixed mine: https://my350z.com/forum/maintenance...e-problem.html

You will probably need to replace both fuel level sensors inside the fuel tank like I did.

 

Thers a problem with the gas sensor w.e its called had to get mine replaced but not before i ran out of gas 50 ft from my house

 

Thanks, I appreciate it. The sensors seem a bit pricey, but at least I'm re-assured it isn't any other major problem. I'll probably hold off on repairs till after I buy a few mods. I'm itching to get an intake and exhaust ASAP.

On a side note, is the DTE relatively correct or does that rely on the same sensors that need to be replaced as well? Lastly, what's the typical mileage you guys get on a full tank? I'm not shooting for dead accuracy, but +/- 50 miles works for me. I just want a ballpark so I don't push my luck and get screwed...

 

Yes the sensors are a little high. I bought the secondary one off ebay for around $60 and put it in first and it fixed my problem halfway. Later on I bought the main one thats on the fuel pump and I had to get it from the dealer for around $100. Yes I believe your DTE works off the same sensors. When I had this problem I used the trip meter and filled up around every 200-250 miles, but thats just driving in town at like 18mpg. I can get well over 300 miles to a tank on the freeway with 28mpg. Like you said, these are ballpark figures.

 

Okay, thanks for the information. I'll look online every once in a while to see if I can score a deal while I still keep working on the car. I'll just fill the gas more often if I do a lot of "spirited driving"

 

DTE display is not accurate on my '03. I've driven 60 miles after the - - - display and never
managed to squeeze 18 gallons in a 20 gallon tank. Yeah, I know - living dangerously, lol. Just had to try it once.

 

the aforementioned sensors cost me $71 each from West Covina Nissan. my local dealer. The new o-rings came out to $11 for the pair.

 

That's not that bad... and West Co is only 15 minutes away from my house haha.

Does anyone have a detailed DIY on how to go about doing this? I've never have any experience with replacing these sensors, working on fuel pumps... and I've never actually worked on a 350z, yet.

 

You can find the Factory Service Manual on-line for free - it is on several of the other 350Z forums (which can't be mentioned here)

 

Sorry if this was mentioned on another post, but first try the self diagnostic pictured below. If the gauge doesn't reset it is more than likely a sensor issue like previously stated.

 

The fuel gauge on the Z is tricky truthly. I would go more with how many miles till empty do you usually get. I know its around 220-260 miles to a full tank.

 

Interesting you say that, I've noticed that the gauge is very conservative. The FSM states "If the fuel remaining is less than
approximately 8 (8-1/2 US qt, 7 Imp qt), the indication will show “----”." This would suggest there is only 2 gallons left (approx). When I stop to fill up I can barley get 14 gallons in. Now, the only thing I can imagine is the lines and filler neck take up a few gallons and skew the reading.

 

Hi Guys,

I have this fuel gauge problem for a long time, while I tried to search for a
cure, I learned that you have to replace it or at least take it out for loosing
its part, some claimed that it will fix it just moving the floater.

I had no chance to tried the fix.

Then, a few days back I bumped into an auto mechanic who had fixed my front windshield before.
I mentioned this issue to him, and he asked about the make of the car, he said that it is a common problem for Nissan, and there is an easy fix.

Here it is,

re-fuel the car every time the fuel level needle (in the panel) comes down to between 1/2 and 1/4, and repeat it several times, it will fix it.

Be honest, I really doubt it, but what do you have to lose by trying.
So, I tried it today, I re-fuel when the needle is in the middle of 1/2 and 1/4.
You know what, the needle went up all the way pass the top bar of fuel gauge, I have not seen it go up there for one year.
I only added 8 gallons this time.

I will repeat it and see how it goes.

I just thought may be I should post it before people spend the money in case
the fix works. (now, I have more faith in it.)

Good luck.

 

DUDE Im glad I found this post I have been trying to find owners that have the same problem as me. You fuel gauge will just get worst especially when its below the half and the reason that is because our cars have 2 fuel sending units and one of them is bad the one that measures from E-1/2 tank. Have you noticed that when its above the 1/2 it works great and when it falls below it start tripping. I took mine to the dealer and the idiots could not find what was wrong with it when I told them what was wrong but because the car didn't do that when the had it. They didn't fix it so I called Nissan care and they told me that if enough people report the same problem they might issues and recall for this problem to our Z's. Other Nissan car have this problem already reported to them but not ours yet. SO Call NISSAN CARE @1-800-647-7261 lets get this on recall when you call make a big deal about it and hopefully more people will call I have posting ever where about this..

 

The reason he told you that is because when it above the 1/2 its fine because it being controlled by the good sending unit

 

I've seen something like this in this forum somewhere. Look around, they had a clear explaination of why this works.