Can fuel components be damaged when siphoning old gas?.... I used a Gastapper kit to siphon out 5 month old gas because I didn't add Stabil to a partial tank. However, I couldn't pump beyond the last 1/3 of the tank. After pumping out 5 gallons, I turned on the ignition to check, and the fuel gauge was stuck on the same reading before I started pumping. Is the fuel sensor damaged? How can I reset the fuel gauge to read the actual level?

Thanks.

 

Fill it up and you should be fine... the gauge doesn't read actual fuel level below 1/2 tank... it calcs a predicted level based on usage.

 

Are you serious?

 

Thank you, twnj! Excellent response!

 

yeah, I think it has to do with the design of the fuel tank (a humped shape)... can only be physically measured for the top 2/3 or so (not sure of the exact amount from memory). So if you're on empty and add only a few gallons to the tank it won't register.

 

Mine did this after my winter 93 octane back to E85 tune... it took me 2 fill ups to get the bloody thing to reset but my gauge is never right

 

Turbo and C4 (all wheel drive cars) have saddle tanks to clear the front differential. The gauge sender is located in the center and does not extend into the "saddles". The lower portion (saddles) is therefore calculated from DME on current expected usage . Removing or adding fuel in the lower range will invalidate calculations , also when new sender or gauge is installed it is necessary to recalibrate by removing all fuel then adding a set amount then selecting calibrate using specialized (PIWIS or Durametric?)tester.Also when changing injector sizes or tuning for E85 the expected fuel usage may not be spot on(these cars seem to be more apt to fuel gauge inaccuracies).