gas tank mistery: 3 gallon missing
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
gas tank mistery: 3 gallon missing
Hi, 1997 Civic LX, 5 speed, US model.
The owner's manual says my gas tank has 11.9 US Gal. Each time the
needle reached the EMPTY line, I refilled and usually I put 8.5-9
gallons of gas. This time I wanted to try higher octane (to
troubleshoot a pinging problem) and I decided to run just a little bit
longer before I refill. Usually a gas tank lasts 230 miles, this time I
run 260 miles and I was about to stop to the first gas station, when I
run out of gas on the highway. The momentum kept me going, I was able
to take the first exit and there was a gas station, I bought a plastic
gas can and went back to my car, then I drove to the gas station and
filled up. The total amount of gas it took was 9 gallons, 1 in the
plastic can and 8 more when I drove to the pump.
So, from dry empty to full I put 9 gallons. The manual says I have a
gas tank of 11.9 gallons. Almost 3 gallons of gas are unaccounted for.
WHAT IS GOING ON???
Now I realize how close I came to running our of gas, almost each time,
thinking I have so much gas left in the tank. WRONG. Then, I felt like
a moron, running out of gas, pregnant wife waiting in the car, hot and
humid outside, you figure it out... not fun at all. she wants a divorce
now!!!
To add insult to injury, my experiment also failed: the sound that I
thought was pinging is still there, even though I filled up with 93
octane (usually I get 87). True, I drove only 15 miles since the fill
up, maybe it needs some time to clean the pipes and the fuel injector
of the old gas, or perhaps the engine needs a few more miles to adjust
to the new octane, but still, if the sound remains, I wonder what it
is. If it does not go away with 93 octane, then it is not pinging...
weird. I think this car is haunted. and whatever it is, it lives in the
gas tank, it takes up a volume equal to 3 US gallons, and it makes a
sound similar to pinging. Anyone want to buy this car???
The owner's manual says my gas tank has 11.9 US Gal. Each time the
needle reached the EMPTY line, I refilled and usually I put 8.5-9
gallons of gas. This time I wanted to try higher octane (to
troubleshoot a pinging problem) and I decided to run just a little bit
longer before I refill. Usually a gas tank lasts 230 miles, this time I
run 260 miles and I was about to stop to the first gas station, when I
run out of gas on the highway. The momentum kept me going, I was able
to take the first exit and there was a gas station, I bought a plastic
gas can and went back to my car, then I drove to the gas station and
filled up. The total amount of gas it took was 9 gallons, 1 in the
plastic can and 8 more when I drove to the pump.
So, from dry empty to full I put 9 gallons. The manual says I have a
gas tank of 11.9 gallons. Almost 3 gallons of gas are unaccounted for.
WHAT IS GOING ON???
Now I realize how close I came to running our of gas, almost each time,
thinking I have so much gas left in the tank. WRONG. Then, I felt like
a moron, running out of gas, pregnant wife waiting in the car, hot and
humid outside, you figure it out... not fun at all. she wants a divorce
now!!!
To add insult to injury, my experiment also failed: the sound that I
thought was pinging is still there, even though I filled up with 93
octane (usually I get 87). True, I drove only 15 miles since the fill
up, maybe it needs some time to clean the pipes and the fuel injector
of the old gas, or perhaps the engine needs a few more miles to adjust
to the new octane, but still, if the sound remains, I wonder what it
is. If it does not go away with 93 octane, then it is not pinging...
weird. I think this car is haunted. and whatever it is, it lives in the
gas tank, it takes up a volume equal to 3 US gallons, and it makes a
sound similar to pinging. Anyone want to buy this car???
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: gas tank mistery: 3 gallon missing
In article <1123969593.988861.89750@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups. com>,
"chibitul" <chibitul@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> Hi, 1997 Civic LX, 5 speed, US model.
>
> The owner's manual says my gas tank has 11.9 US Gal. Each time the
> needle reached the EMPTY line, I refilled and usually I put 8.5-9
> gallons of gas. This time I wanted to try higher octane (to
> troubleshoot a pinging problem) and I decided to run just a little bit
> longer before I refill. Usually a gas tank lasts 230 miles, this time I
> run 260 miles and I was about to stop to the first gas station, when I
> run out of gas on the highway. The momentum kept me going, I was able
> to take the first exit and there was a gas station, I bought a plastic
> gas can and went back to my car, then I drove to the gas station and
> filled up. The total amount of gas it took was 9 gallons, 1 in the
> plastic can and 8 more when I drove to the pump.
>
> So, from dry empty to full I put 9 gallons. The manual says I have a
> gas tank of 11.9 gallons. Almost 3 gallons of gas are unaccounted for.
> WHAT IS GOING ON???
>
> Now I realize how close I came to running our of gas, almost each time,
> thinking I have so much gas left in the tank. WRONG. Then, I felt like
> a moron, running out of gas, pregnant wife waiting in the car, hot and
> humid outside, you figure it out... not fun at all. she wants a divorce
> now!!!
>
> To add insult to injury, my experiment also failed: the sound that I
> thought was pinging is still there, even though I filled up with 93
> octane (usually I get 87). True, I drove only 15 miles since the fill
> up, maybe it needs some time to clean the pipes and the fuel injector
> of the old gas, or perhaps the engine needs a few more miles to adjust
> to the new octane, but still, if the sound remains, I wonder what it
> is. If it does not go away with 93 octane, then it is not pinging...
>
> weird. I think this car is haunted. and whatever it is, it lives in the
> gas tank, it takes up a volume equal to 3 US gallons, and it makes a
> sound similar to pinging. Anyone want to buy this car???
Did you find out whether or not you have a Knock Sensor on your car? If
not, you need to check the timing. I once owned a car that did not have a
knock sensor and found out if I slighly retarded the timing, that it
solved the pinging problem. I should note that if you retard the timing
too much--your engine will run poorly.
--
NEWSGROUP SUBSCRIBERS MOTTO
We respect those subscribers that ask for advice or provide advice.
We do NOT respect the subscribers that enjoy criticizing people.
"chibitul" <chibitul@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> Hi, 1997 Civic LX, 5 speed, US model.
>
> The owner's manual says my gas tank has 11.9 US Gal. Each time the
> needle reached the EMPTY line, I refilled and usually I put 8.5-9
> gallons of gas. This time I wanted to try higher octane (to
> troubleshoot a pinging problem) and I decided to run just a little bit
> longer before I refill. Usually a gas tank lasts 230 miles, this time I
> run 260 miles and I was about to stop to the first gas station, when I
> run out of gas on the highway. The momentum kept me going, I was able
> to take the first exit and there was a gas station, I bought a plastic
> gas can and went back to my car, then I drove to the gas station and
> filled up. The total amount of gas it took was 9 gallons, 1 in the
> plastic can and 8 more when I drove to the pump.
>
> So, from dry empty to full I put 9 gallons. The manual says I have a
> gas tank of 11.9 gallons. Almost 3 gallons of gas are unaccounted for.
> WHAT IS GOING ON???
>
> Now I realize how close I came to running our of gas, almost each time,
> thinking I have so much gas left in the tank. WRONG. Then, I felt like
> a moron, running out of gas, pregnant wife waiting in the car, hot and
> humid outside, you figure it out... not fun at all. she wants a divorce
> now!!!
>
> To add insult to injury, my experiment also failed: the sound that I
> thought was pinging is still there, even though I filled up with 93
> octane (usually I get 87). True, I drove only 15 miles since the fill
> up, maybe it needs some time to clean the pipes and the fuel injector
> of the old gas, or perhaps the engine needs a few more miles to adjust
> to the new octane, but still, if the sound remains, I wonder what it
> is. If it does not go away with 93 octane, then it is not pinging...
>
> weird. I think this car is haunted. and whatever it is, it lives in the
> gas tank, it takes up a volume equal to 3 US gallons, and it makes a
> sound similar to pinging. Anyone want to buy this car???
Did you find out whether or not you have a Knock Sensor on your car? If
not, you need to check the timing. I once owned a car that did not have a
knock sensor and found out if I slighly retarded the timing, that it
solved the pinging problem. I should note that if you retard the timing
too much--your engine will run poorly.
--
NEWSGROUP SUBSCRIBERS MOTTO
We respect those subscribers that ask for advice or provide advice.
We do NOT respect the subscribers that enjoy criticizing people.
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: gas tank mistery: 3 gallon missing
Your car has to be empty on the side of the road to put in 11.9 US Gal.
"chibitul" <chibitul@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:1123969593.988861.89750@g47g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> Hi, 1997 Civic LX, 5 speed, US model.
>
> The owner's manual says my gas tank has 11.9 US Gal. Each time the
> needle reached the EMPTY line, I refilled and usually I put 8.5-9
> gallons of gas. This time I wanted to try higher octane (to
> troubleshoot a pinging problem) and I decided to run just a little bit
> longer before I refill. Usually a gas tank lasts 230 miles, this time I
> run 260 miles and I was about to stop to the first gas station, when I
> run out of gas on the highway. The momentum kept me going, I was able
> to take the first exit and there was a gas station, I bought a plastic
> gas can and went back to my car, then I drove to the gas station and
> filled up. The total amount of gas it took was 9 gallons, 1 in the
> plastic can and 8 more when I drove to the pump.
>
> So, from dry empty to full I put 9 gallons. The manual says I have a
> gas tank of 11.9 gallons. Almost 3 gallons of gas are unaccounted for.
> WHAT IS GOING ON???
>
> Now I realize how close I came to running our of gas, almost each time,
> thinking I have so much gas left in the tank. WRONG. Then, I felt like
> a moron, running out of gas, pregnant wife waiting in the car, hot and
> humid outside, you figure it out... not fun at all. she wants a divorce
> now!!!
>
> To add insult to injury, my experiment also failed: the sound that I
> thought was pinging is still there, even though I filled up with 93
> octane (usually I get 87). True, I drove only 15 miles since the fill
> up, maybe it needs some time to clean the pipes and the fuel injector
> of the old gas, or perhaps the engine needs a few more miles to adjust
> to the new octane, but still, if the sound remains, I wonder what it
> is. If it does not go away with 93 octane, then it is not pinging...
>
> weird. I think this car is haunted. and whatever it is, it lives in the
> gas tank, it takes up a volume equal to 3 US gallons, and it makes a
> sound similar to pinging. Anyone want to buy this car???
>
"chibitul" <chibitul@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:1123969593.988861.89750@g47g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> Hi, 1997 Civic LX, 5 speed, US model.
>
> The owner's manual says my gas tank has 11.9 US Gal. Each time the
> needle reached the EMPTY line, I refilled and usually I put 8.5-9
> gallons of gas. This time I wanted to try higher octane (to
> troubleshoot a pinging problem) and I decided to run just a little bit
> longer before I refill. Usually a gas tank lasts 230 miles, this time I
> run 260 miles and I was about to stop to the first gas station, when I
> run out of gas on the highway. The momentum kept me going, I was able
> to take the first exit and there was a gas station, I bought a plastic
> gas can and went back to my car, then I drove to the gas station and
> filled up. The total amount of gas it took was 9 gallons, 1 in the
> plastic can and 8 more when I drove to the pump.
>
> So, from dry empty to full I put 9 gallons. The manual says I have a
> gas tank of 11.9 gallons. Almost 3 gallons of gas are unaccounted for.
> WHAT IS GOING ON???
>
> Now I realize how close I came to running our of gas, almost each time,
> thinking I have so much gas left in the tank. WRONG. Then, I felt like
> a moron, running out of gas, pregnant wife waiting in the car, hot and
> humid outside, you figure it out... not fun at all. she wants a divorce
> now!!!
>
> To add insult to injury, my experiment also failed: the sound that I
> thought was pinging is still there, even though I filled up with 93
> octane (usually I get 87). True, I drove only 15 miles since the fill
> up, maybe it needs some time to clean the pipes and the fuel injector
> of the old gas, or perhaps the engine needs a few more miles to adjust
> to the new octane, but still, if the sound remains, I wonder what it
> is. If it does not go away with 93 octane, then it is not pinging...
>
> weird. I think this car is haunted. and whatever it is, it lives in the
> gas tank, it takes up a volume equal to 3 US gallons, and it makes a
> sound similar to pinging. Anyone want to buy this car???
>
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: gas tank mistery: 3 gallon missing
I run out of gas. Isn't that "empty" enough? yes, it was on the side of
the road... and teh pump shot of at 9 gallons, not 10, not 11, not 12.
that leaves 3 gallons unacounted for. Unless there is water or
something else in the tank.
thanks
the road... and teh pump shot of at 9 gallons, not 10, not 11, not 12.
that leaves 3 gallons unacounted for. Unless there is water or
something else in the tank.
thanks
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: gas tank mistery: 3 gallon missing
On 15 Aug 2005 15:35:31 -0700, "chibitul" <chibitul@sbcglobal.net>
wrote:
>I run out of gas. Isn't that "empty" enough? yes, it was on the side of
>the road... and teh pump shot of at 9 gallons, not 10, not 11, not 12.
>that leaves 3 gallons unacounted for. Unless there is water or
>something else in the tank.
>
>thanks
I agree that this is a problem. While there is such a thing as
unusable gas in the tank, it should not be anywhere near 3 gallons in
a 12 gallon tank. Have you inspected the tank for obvious physical
damage?
wrote:
>I run out of gas. Isn't that "empty" enough? yes, it was on the side of
>the road... and teh pump shot of at 9 gallons, not 10, not 11, not 12.
>that leaves 3 gallons unacounted for. Unless there is water or
>something else in the tank.
>
>thanks
I agree that this is a problem. While there is such a thing as
unusable gas in the tank, it should not be anywhere near 3 gallons in
a 12 gallon tank. Have you inspected the tank for obvious physical
damage?
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: gas tank mistery: 3 gallon missing
Where was the gage's needle after filling? Some pumps like to turn off
way too early, leading to a short fill. Still, three gallons is a lot to
be missing!
chibitul wrote:
> I run out of gas. Isn't that "empty" enough? yes, it was on the side of
> the road... and teh pump shot of at 9 gallons, not 10, not 11, not 12.
> that leaves 3 gallons unacounted for. Unless there is water or
> something else in the tank.
>
> thanks
>
way too early, leading to a short fill. Still, three gallons is a lot to
be missing!
chibitul wrote:
> I run out of gas. Isn't that "empty" enough? yes, it was on the side of
> the road... and teh pump shot of at 9 gallons, not 10, not 11, not 12.
> that leaves 3 gallons unacounted for. Unless there is water or
> something else in the tank.
>
> thanks
>
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: gas tank mistery: 3 gallon missing
the needle was all the way up, actually a hair ABOVE the full line,
like usual. I fill at different gas stations, so this is not an issue.
what scares me is that I came close to running dry so many times, and
the light never came on, and I though I had 3 gallons left in the tank
:) I had not!
like usual. I fill at different gas stations, so this is not an issue.
what scares me is that I came close to running dry so many times, and
the light never came on, and I though I had 3 gallons left in the tank
:) I had not!
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: gas tank mistery: 3 gallon missing
chibitul wrote:
>
> Oh, one more thing: the low fuel light never came on!!!
Are you sure you even have a low fuel light? My '94 civic does not.
--
================================================== =====
A very modest collection of Honda tech info can be found at:
http://www.geocities.com/ng_randolph
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: gas tank mistery: 3 gallon missing
Gordon McGrew wrote:
> Have you inspected the tank for obvious physical
> damage?
Just such a condition came up here a couple of months ago. Fellow found
a huge dent in his tank, as I recall. Check the tank, chitbul.
> Have you inspected the tank for obvious physical
> damage?
Just such a condition came up here a couple of months ago. Fellow found
a huge dent in his tank, as I recall. Check the tank, chitbul.
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: gas tank mistery: 3 gallon missing
Abeness wrote:
> Gordon McGrew wrote:
>
>> Have you inspected the tank for obvious physical
>> damage?
>
>
> Just such a condition came up here a couple of months ago. Fellow found
> a huge dent in his tank, as I recall. Check the tank, chitbul.
Whoops, make that chibitul. Sorry!
> Gordon McGrew wrote:
>
>> Have you inspected the tank for obvious physical
>> damage?
>
>
> Just such a condition came up here a couple of months ago. Fellow found
> a huge dent in his tank, as I recall. Check the tank, chitbul.
Whoops, make that chibitul. Sorry!
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