Gas tank capacity....

[NCturbo75]

I have searched and found that the gas tank capacity for a 1990 240sx is about 15 7/8 gallons. My question is: Why is it that I am only being able to fill up with less than 6 gallons when the needle is on the second to the empty mark? It is weird because when I first bought the car about two months ago, I was able to pump more than 9 gallons at the same needle position? Anyone have a clue why it has changed dramatically? I don't really want to run the car to empty.

[KASilvia90]

I'd get a gallon container of gas and drive it one day till it just runs out. Nissans like to read low fast, mine if its filled stays on F for a while then shoots way down to E within 150miles and then I put another 100miles on it sometimes. I dont think I've ever put more than 13gal in though.

But since you said it seems to be changing how much you put in at the same time, I think your problem is in the float. There is a little arm with some foamy material iirc on the fuel pump, known as a float. What this does is send a signal to your gauge telling you how much gas you have in it, those can be knocked out of adjustment or installed wrong and then give off readings. Best thing to do is pull the pump and check, if your not comfy then maybe a knowledgable friend could help or worst case, take it somewhere. Just dont smoke near it!!

There could be other problems as well that I am not aware of but a guy who bent his float arm installing a new fuel pump and now is 1/4tank notch = empty. That or you could have possibly put a large dent in your gas tank bottoming out?

[NCturbo75]

I think when the weather permits, I will take a look at the "float" to see if it's damaged/bent. I'm kind of skeptical because one of the previous owners replaced the fuel pump screws with self-tapping screws. Who knows what that bastard have done to the car. If I ever see his rice a**, I'm gonna him for being so cheap and retarded!!!

I usually fill up with 87octane when it reaches the mark before the "E". I just think it's weird because I know I should be able to get more than 150 miles every fillup. BTW, the tank looks decent without any dents.....and my coupe is still stock height.

[KASilvia90]

Where I live stock height = loss of exhaust in some areas, lots of poorly designed roads and drive entrances.

The gauge itself could have a loose connection but that would be picking at it a bit. If the previous ricer had used self-tappers, chances are its been tampered with and incorrectly installed or bent. I had the "ignorant redneck previous owner" and anytime I have a problem with my car there always seems to be some sort of non-factory rigging going on

[NCturbo75]

I had the "ignorant redneck previous owner" and anytime I have a problem with my car there always seems to be some sort of non-factory rigging going on

What a coincidence!!! I have the same problem. Want to hear something really cheap and GHETTO??? The retard that had the car before me BONDO'ed the front bumper turn signal light (housing). Bastard was too cheap to buy one off of ebay so that's what he did to keep it intact.

[KASilvia90]

Wow! I always just have mismatched/stripped bolts everywhere. Well that and the minor electrical issues, seriously who twist-ties the copper wire and then wraps a gum wrapper with used gum in it as a sealant for the MAF!? My car was beserk for 3months until I was able to find that. Dont even get me started his ability to RTV...especially the exhaust manifold/head joint and the upper/lower exhaust manifold joint.

lol end rant.