01 Max SE Gas gauge acting funny.

[912.0turbo]

Last night I put 20 bucks in the car and it gave me a reading of a little under 3/4 of a tank. I drove about 25 miles to the other side of town but when I was driving back I noticed the gas gauge was at the halfway mark. It just kept falling after that. I pulled off of the highway into a gas station and took a look under the car to see if there was anything leaking but found nothing. I turned the car off then back on and it went all the way down to E and the gas light came on. It did not effect the way the car drove(no hesitation, etc.). This morning I got in the car and started it up and the gauge went in between the 1/4 mark and the 1/2 mark. As I drove back to the other side of town it gradually went up to where it was supposed to be(a little above half). Anyone experience something similar? Should I be looking for something? I would hate to take it to the dealership and have them find nothing. Thanks

[Jesda]

Possibly a dirty or corroded floater arm. Sulfur buildup caused this problem in my Mazda MPV. It would be stuck at half, then suddenly drop down to E and the fuel light would come on. Sometimes it would go back to half.

[912.0turbo]

So I guess I should try some Seafoam or something. The guy who had the car before me had the air filter caked with sand like dirt. There was even some around the gas cap.He lived in Laredo down by Mexico. Could be just buildup. Thanks Jesda.

[Jesda]

If the floater is attached to the fuel pump, you may have to remove it and clean it yourself, or replace the pump. Try adding a can of BG44k to your next full tank.