[Jondaytona]

So I've got about 6k miles on my Cruze since I bought it a few months ago. I bought it from a salvage yard because it was involved in a rear collision with a secondary front collision and I know vehicles typically sit for a while at the auction yards too. When I first got the car running I had noticed the fuel gauge reading empty when it shouldn't have been, then fill it and it would take a few miles before registering full again. Was hoping this would have worked itself out and thought it did. Well I was at about an eighth tank the other day with the range showing over 100mi to empty, drove 30mi home and the light came on and the gauge showed empty with low range. I filled it, drove it about 80mi now and still empty. So I'm guessing I have to just replace the sending unit now, but was wondering if this is a common issue? I searched the forum and didn't see anything, so it's probably just my dumb luck.

 

[Taxman]

Hope you don't have an algae bloom in the tank.
If there's moisture in the tank, especially if it's sitting parked for a while, the stuff grows where the water meets the diesel. IIRC it lives in the water and eats the diesel.

 

[Robby]

No, the fuel level sender and gauge have not been reported problems on this forum, nor at the dealer I get much info from.

Of course, that doesn't mean none have failed.....just that there is no pattern of failure.

Rob

 

[Jondaytona]

Hope you don't have an algae bloom in the tank.
If there's moisture in the tank, especially if it's sitting parked for a while, the stuff grows where the water meets the diesel. IIRC it lives in the water and eats the diesel.

Thanks for reminding me. I've had several diesel trucks over the years and never had this problem, but heard of it. Does make sense considering the details of my situation with this Cruze. Either way I'm going to have to access the pump/sending unit, so I guess I'll see when I get in there.

No, the fuel level sender and gauge have not been reported problems on this forum, nor at the dealer I get much info from.

Of course, that doesn't mean none have failed.....just that there is no pattern of failure.

Rob

Thanks for the info Rob, I guess it doesn't really matter, but that does satisfy my curiosity.

 

[Blasirl]

If I remember correctly, the bloom stinks!

 

[Jondaytona]

Figured it out! So I ordered a new sending unit w/pump, finally got the time to drop the tank and find these plastic things sitting there interfering with the float. I'm guessing they got knocked out of place when the previous owner got rear-ended. So I just put them back into place (probably backwards, oh well). Now I got this brand new spare fuel pump with sending unit I don't know what to do with. Anyone need a fuel pump!?