quick question take a look!

[camaroz87]

hey guys maybe i can get an answer im just wondering why i can see my fuel gauge going down after a short drive i hardly ever get on the car it just puzzles me the car does smell of fuel if i start it in the garage and idk if this has anything to do with it but the operating temp is very low the car is a 3.8 btw any help would be great

[youngsc]

Re: quick question take a look!

If the temp is running low your car will most likely compensate by running rich therefore burning more fuel. If it's a stock thermostat verify it's not failed open. There are other factors that could cause it to run rich but I'm inebriated and that's all I could think of in my present state.

[camaroz87]

Re: quick question take a look!

alrite im pretty sure its stock and thank you for the help..if anyone else sees the post feel free to jump in...also the screw that is on the thermostat housing what does that do?

[youngsc]

Re: quick question take a look!

Probably the bleeder screw, haven't really looked at it to in depth so not 100%. Our cooling systems are sealed so make sure whatever you change (thermostat, hoses, etc.) that you bleed all the air out otherwise you will over heat and go boom.

[vanbibber]

Re: quick question take a look!

lets stay on topic fellas

[black98V6]

Re: quick question take a look!

get get a good reading on mileage after some fill ups that will be a place to start. My next question would be what do you mean by cooler than normal, our cars have a 195 degree (or 190 can't remember) thermostat. In the dallas 100+ degree summer I was running close to 200deg, during the winter I would get to the 180 deg mark and go no further unless sitting in traffic. Last summer I changed to a 180 deg thermo and since proably november my car rarely gets above the 160 mark while moving.
If you bought the car used and don't know for sure take off the thermo cover and check to be sure, the temp should be stamped on there but without more information I doubt anyone can give you much more advice than what was stated.
As was stated the screw on the top is used to bleed the air from the system, due to the way our cars are designed the radiator cap is not the highest point on the cooling system so you can't totally bleed the air from the system with the cap off like on most vehicles.

[camaroz87]

Re: quick question take a look!

well im guessing it is not the thermo then because the car does stay at the 170 mark and no higher during driving but if i sit in long traffic it does go up to 200 but thats not my main question its the problem with the mpg thats really getting me here. I will take a ride maybe 10 miles away and i can see my fuel gauge drastically drop. Im guessing it could be the injectors i just dont know. I dont want to guess and spend money. The car had a tune up not even a year ago but idk i seafoamed it twice in the year and i never changed the spark plugs and i only put 15000 miles on the car. So what can you guys tell me?

[Camaro Dom]

Re: quick question take a look!

if you're smelling fuel theres gotta be a leak somewhere. plain 'n simple really. unless it takes you like 3 or more tries to start the damn thing you shouldnt smell gas especially if you got a cat still on there. I'd do what black98 said and check your gas milage. most of us here average about 18-19 city and 23-25 highway. You might just simply not be filling the gas tank all the way for whatever reason or perhaps the level sensor is busted (had that happen b4). most important thing is to verify that you are indeed actually getting bad gas milage. fill up, run it down to 1/8 tank and fill up again. take miles driven/gallons pumped and voila! mpg!

[camaroz87]

Re: quick question take a look!

Well yea ill get back to you guys about the gas mileage thanks for the help! im also going to check for leaks.

[CHEVYINSIDE]

Re: quick question take a look!

check the cooolant temp sensor . if it's failed it goes to -40 f . it just pumps fuel into the motor trying to richen the mixture. it'll give you that fuel smell to .if your getiing the fuel smell i wouldnt recommend driving it cause it can wreck the cats .

[bah]

Re: quick question take a look!

honestly i bet its normal, our stock gagues are not the pinnacle of accuracy and they start off high when you turn on the car and kind of go down, and the fuel is also sloshing around when you drive which does not help things, and keep in mind your fuel tank is triangular as well