Really gettin' pissed.... fuel gauge issues

[physicshogon]

Excuse the expression guys but I'm really getting ticked off about this fuel gauge issue. I'm nearing the end of my warranty and the gauge is getting suck-ier with every fill up. At this point, the needle won't move past the second-from-last tick mark towards full when the tank is full. And this wouldn't be so bad if it would remain there until the actual fuel level reached that point, but the sensors seem to take that as being "full" and rides downhill from there. To the point that when I'm empty and re-fill I can only get ~14gal in the tank.

I've read here (maybe a month or so ago) something about recalibrating your gauge using VCDS but have any of you had any luck w/ the accuracy of the gauge by doing that?

 

[tdiatlast]

Crudeness aside, you'll get a better response here if you put your problem in the title of your thread. Maybe the moderator can edit it for you.

Where are you in VA? Who's your servicing dealer?
I don't have this issue, so I've not asked this question of my dealer service advisors (Marten's and Stohlman) but it might be worth a call to them. They might advise you differently than your current servicing dealer.
Do you have access to VCDS? Maybe recalibrating would solve your issue?
Did I read here about someone getting a new tank? Did that solve the problem?
I'm sure others will weigh in.

 

[kydsid]

Are you sure it is the gauge and not the tank? IIRC there have been some that had issue with the tank and not getting more than 14 gallons in and there was even a recall for the early production cars.

If this is the case the gauge could be correct as the tank holds 18.5 gallons.

Also, I know that in my car filling up is dependent on the station. Even at the same fuel level if I go to one store, it will click off at 14 gallons, another station will click off at 16. I've figured just that some places the fuel is more foamy or that its the tank. Either way I just let it burp out a bit and keep on fueling. Takes some more time to defoam but thats okay with me.

So it could be that too.

 

[physicshogon]

Are you sure it is the gauge and not the tank? IIRC there have been some that had issue with the tank and not getting more than 14 gallons in and there was even a recall for the early production cars.

If this is the case the gauge could be correct as the tank holds 18.5 gallons.

Also, I know that in my car filling up is dependent on the station. Even at the same fuel level if I go to one store, it will click off at 14 gallons, another station will click off at 16. I've figured just that some places the fuel is more foamy or that its the tank. Either way I just let it burp out a bit and keep on fueling. Takes some more time to defoam but thats okay with me.

So it could be that too.

I've done the de-foaming and everything else you can think of and that's not the problem...it's a faulty gauge. In the past I've been able to get up to 17.6 gal on fuel in after reaching empty. Even then, the need never reached the "full" mark. The problem w/ the deal is that they won't do any 'recall' work unless it shows up in their system as being a recalled item for that particular VIN. And yes, mine was the dealer's demonstration car so it can be classified as "early production".

 

[physicshogon]

Crudeness aside, you'll get a better response here if you put your problem in the title of your thread. Maybe the moderator can edit it for you.

Where are you in VA? Who's your servicing dealer?
I don't have this issue, so I've not asked this question of my dealer service advisors (Marten's and Stohlman) but it might be worth a call to them. They might advise you differently than your current servicing dealer.
Do you have access to VCDS? Maybe recalibrating would solve your issue?
Did I read here about someone getting a new tank? Did that solve the problem?
I'm sure others will weigh in.

I've look for the re-calibration instructions again and have had no luck in finding them. Do you have a link to it?

 

[compu_85]

As I understand it there is a revised fuel tank available...

-J

 

[Niner]

Being a pre production car, you should be able to get the revised fuel tank, point it out to the service writer after you talk to the parts manager about the new part number for the newer style tank.

 

[kydsid]

The new tank would have a new float in it and that could be the issue. Maybe not the needle but the device measuring the amount in the tank?

That would at least rule out one of the possibles for why it isn't reading right. And since they did the revision and your car is new enough they should be willing to do that.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Go back to the dealer and complain again. Mention that you would like a new fuel tank - I believe it is shaped differently. I will edit your thread title to include fuel gauge for easier searching in the future.

 

[gergg]

Not sure if this accurate, but this is what I found as the replacement tank part# 561-201-055B......I've been trying myself to get this problem fixed, nothing yet, the dealer doesn't even want to respond to the possibility that there is something wrong with the tank, and won't confirm/deny that the part # I referenced above is the real deal. One problem at a time for me, tomorrow is the door rattle, then I'm back at the fuel tank issue until resolved.

 

[Coffeemade]

Sounds like you where just like me, upset and frustrated. I drove into the dealership on zero to empty and said I think we have a problem as the tank is supposed to be 18.5 gallon and I can only get 15.1 at most when it says 0 to empty. They replaced a cluster and when i filled up I could see needle go to the F in full. But I still couldn't fill more than 15.1 to 16.1 gallons. I went back with 0 to empty and they couldn't get more thatn 16.1 gallons. They contacted VW and installed a new revised fuel tank. On 0 to empty now I can fill 17.1 gallons. The dealership said they put 2 gallons in the revised tank prior to installing it and then when to the gas pump and could put 16 gallons.

I know your frustration, I am fine with 17 gallons, just not the 14 I started with. Now when the light comes on I can put 15-16 gallons.

I never once paid for gas the dealership/VW paid for it since it was something they had to troubleshoot and I got a couple free full tanks of diesel out of it. Below is my thread telling my story and it includes the part number in the very top. Hope this helps.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthre...gallons-of-fuel)-but-the-tank-is-18.5-gallons

 

[dachman1]

Sounds like you where just like me, upset and frustrated. I drove into the dealership on zero to empty and said I think we have a problem as the tank is supposed to be 18.5 gallon and I can only get 15.1 at most when it says 0 to empty. They replaced a cluster and when i filled up I could see needle go to the F in full. But I still couldn't fill more than 15.1 to 16.1 gallons. I went back with 0 to empty and they couldn't get more thatn 16.1 gallons. They contacted VW and installed a new revised fuel tank. On 0 to empty now I can fill 17.1 gallons. The dealership said they put 2 gallons in the revised tank prior to installing it and then when to the gas pump and could put 16 gallons.

I know your frustration, I am fine with 17 gallons, just not the 14 I started with. Now when the light comes on I can put 15-16 gallons.

I never once paid for gas the dealership/VW paid for it since it was something they had to troubleshoot and I got a couple free full tanks of diesel out of it. Below is my thread telling my story and it includes the part number in the very top. Hope this helps.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthre...gallons-of-fuel)-but-the-tank-is-18.5-gallons

I'm in the same position as Coffeemade, just had my tank replaced. Go report it to the dealer and read our Vortex thread.

 

[Niner]

My fuel gauge showed 717 miles today on the MFI, 200 miles left on the tank, and I was dead nuts on the second white mark above the red zone. Topped it off at the same pump at the same station as last time, and she took on 14.71 gallons for 48.8 MPG. This was trailering a mountain bike in my hitch mount the whole tank, which typically costs me 3-4 MPG.

I also think I got some really, really good fuel in Reno, NV from Texaco, as this seems to be a regular occurence when I buy diesel fuel in Great Basin based states. Fuel stinks like hell when filling up in those states, compared to California diesel fuel, high in aromatics, but it delivers the MPG in spades on the highways there, kept the cruise at 68 indicated, 71 MPH GPS indicated almost half of the whole trip, the rest was mountain canyon driving, with plenty of engine braking.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Not bad at all! That's some pretty serious fuel range.

 

[physicshogon]

I ended up taking it to WH Volkswagen and provided them the part# for the new fuel tank and expressed my frustration w/ the issues (a tad bit more than I did in the original posting here) and the service advisor told me "Gee, that's really unusual that's happening. We'll see what we can do." I wasn't really satisfied w/ that answer so I firmly told them not to return my vehicle until the gauge reads FULL on a full tank of fuel b/c it makes no sense to pay that kinda of money for the vehicle that has a faulty gauge. We'll see what happens and I'll keep you guys updated.

Thanks for the info on VW providing new fuel tanks for the earlier production vehicles.

 

[physicshogon]

West Houston VW SUCKS ASS for service, seriously. Now I'm being told that the ECU has to be "re-flashed" to add 2.5 gal to what it reads and 'hopefully' that will fix the problem. However, the flash can't be done with more than 1/4 tank of fuel so they want me to burn off 3/4 talk of fuel THEN bring it back. THEN pay to fill it back up so they can troubleshoot if that doesn't fix the problem.

Do any of you know any dealers in the Houston area that will just cut to the chase and replace the damn talk w/o all the run-around?

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Have you called VW yet? Perhaps they can apply some pressure to the dealer.

 

[dachman1]

Have you called VW yet? Perhaps they can apply some pressure to the dealer.

That's the route I went and it worked perfectly. I called VWoA. They said to make an appointment with the dealer and tell us when that is. We'll have the Regional VW Rep contact them and he/she will report back to you.

 

[Niner]

I could have sworn that I saw a fuel adjustment feature in VCDS under 17 Instruments > Adaptation > Long Code helper > and one of the parameters was fuel gauge adjustment or something along those lines. Find someone with a VCDS cable and have a full tank of fuel, and see what you can do with your gauge adjustment.

 

[kydsid]

Call vw clear Lake. I haven't been for service yet vut I talked with a mechanic and service manager about recording for auto wipers and some other things other dealers said no way too. Sm seemed to be really reasonable and the service department layout etc seems enthusiast focused.

Course everyone here says all the dealers suck and have history of f ups. Also check the regional sub forum there is discussion about this for you to look at.

 

[physicshogon]

Call vw clear Lake. I haven't been for service yet vut I talked with a mechanic and service manager about recording for auto wipers and some other things other dealers said no way too. Sm seemed to be really reasonable and the service department layout etc seems enthusiast focused.

Course everyone here says all the dealers suck and have history of f ups. Also check the regional sub forum there is discussion about this for you to look at.

What/Where is the 'regional sub forum'? I'm going to give Clear Lake VW a call b/c I'm seriously at the end of my rop w/ WH. VWoA said they'd give me a call regarding the issue before COB tomorrow so we'll see what happens before I give Clear Lake VW a call.

 

[kydsid]

What/Where is the 'regional sub forum'? I'm going to give Clear Lake VW a call b/c I'm seriously at the end of my rop w/ WH. VWoA said they'd give me a call regarding the issue before COB tomorrow so we'll see what happens before I give Clear Lake VW a call.

http://forums.tdiclub.com/forumdisplay.php?f=76

 

[physicshogon]

So WH VW called me back on Friday and said "You were right, the tank does have to be replaced b/c changing the fuel pump and sensor didn't fix the problem". Well...no ****, Sherlock.

Now the problem is FINDING a vendor of the tank; so I have no idea when I'll actually get my TDI back.

 

[Niner]

So WH VW called me back on Friday and said "You were right, the tank does have to be replaced b/c changing the fuel pump and sensor didn't fix the problem". Well...no ****, Sherlock.

Now the problem is FINDING a vendor of the tank; so I have no idea when I'll actually get my TDI back.

No worries Hogan... Vw has a huge parts warehouse in Texas, they hopefully have the new part numbered tank in stock.

 

[physicshogon]

No worries Hogan... Vw has a huge parts warehouse in Texas, they hopefully have the new part numbered tank in stock.

They don't...that's the problem.

 

[big_ole_truck]

They don't...that's the problem.

Check the TX lemon law for your benefit, assuming you purchased your car from a TX dealer. Most lemon laws allow a maximum number of days your car can sit without use at a dealer waiting for repair before the manufacturer has to accept it as a buyback. Look it up for your state's specific terms and requirements.

Or tell the dealer to swap out tanks with a new Passat on their lot. Good luck with that one.

 

[physicshogon]

Check the TX lemon law for your benefit, assuming you purchased your car from a TX dealer. Most lemon laws allow a maximum number of days your car can sit without use at a dealer waiting for repair before the manufacturer has to accept it as a buyback. Look it up for your state's specific terms and requirements.

Or tell the dealer to swap out tanks with a new Passat on their lot. Good luck with that one.

Negative, I didn't purchase my vehicle in TX, and it has about 32k miles on it now--which brought up the question of "Why's this guy JUST NOW bringing this vehicle in for this problem" by VWoA...which really pissed me off b/c I'd brought it up MULTIPLE times before w/ two other dealers and it was just brushed under the table and I was ignored. The only reason it's being dealt w/ this time is that I was firm about not taking my vehicle back w/ the malfunction and got VWoA involved.

 

[Niner]

Negative, I didn't purchase my vehicle in TX, and it has about 32k miles on it now--which brought up the question of "Why's this guy JUST NOW bringing this vehicle in for this problem" by VWoA...which really pissed me off b/c I'd brought it up MULTIPLE times before w/ two other dealers and it was just brushed under the table and I was ignored. The only reason it's being dealt w/ this time is that I was firm about not taking my vehicle back w/ the malfunction and got VWoA involved.

Looking at your Fuelly fillups, there's been a fillup where you put in 17.96 gallons, quite a few other 17 gallon plus fillups, and a few at 16 plus gallons. I adjusted it to show your last 50 fillups.

http://www.fuelly.com/driver/Olivia/passat

I guess I don't see the problem with your fuel tank either.

 

[Coffeemade]

Looking at your Fuelly fillups, there's been a fillup where you put in 17.96 gallons, quite a few other 17 gallon plus fillups, and a few at 16 plus gallons. I adjusted it to show your last 50 fillups.

http://www.fuelly.com/driver/Olivia/passat

I guess I don't see the problem with your fuel tank either.

you have to look at the note on the one, it says he drove for about 25 miles on empty....every once in a while I do that.

It is very frustrating. Niner do you have Fuelly?

If you look at mine, I wanted to track it and I am tracking the cetane and I think I will also try to track mileage till fill up just to confirm it in my head. I really want to take my car back because the last fill up I drove 20-30 miles on "0 to empty" which is scarry and nerve racking because maybe 15-20 miles I should run out of gas, but it just keeps going.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Let's consider that VW made it say 0 miles to empty early so that you wouldn't run out of fuel. Running the HPFP dry isn't exactly good for it, as it's lubricated by fuel. On that note, if you run out of fuel and suffer premature HPFP failure, perhaps it shouldn't be covered under warranty because the car gave you plenty of warning. Just a thought?

Not being able to fill up completely is another issue which I believe has been corrected by the revised fuel tank.