Hello all,

I'm having a couple of problems with my 99 Chevrolet Suburban (1500).

The first thing that happened, about a year ago, is that I got the dreaded "crazy needle". I figured I knew my gas mileage city and highway, so no big deal.

Then, I found out my car hates Shell gasoline. Unfortunately, it was after I filled up with Shell gas that my needle started acting weird. And everytime I put Shell gas in my car, the service engine light comes on. So now, I use conoco/phillips almost exclusively.

Anyway, yesterday the check engine light came on again. And on top of that, I cannot put more than 5 or 6 gallons of gas in the tank, even though I know for a fact that my car is not full.

I have no idea what to do. I've had this car for over two years, and this is the first time I've had a problem with it that I think is serious. Like I said, thus far, the only time my check engine light has come on was if I put Shell gas in it, or the electrical system got wet. But the only taking 5 gallons of gas thing really has me worried. There is no way my tank could be full.

Any thoughts or suggestions (besides going to a mechanic)?

 

I'm not sure about your gas problem, but your check engine light sounds like an o2 sensor problem. Go to your local auto parts store and have them check the code next time the check engine light is on. Only takes a minute.
Keep us posted.

 

Any idea what code is causing he check engine light to come on?
if not you can take the truck to your local Advance Auto or Auto zone and have the check the code for you

As for the 5-6 gallons
does it matter if you fill the tank slowly?

 

Well, bad news.

I took it to a dealership to get a diagnostic this past Monday (I figured the $50 flat rate was fair, especially considering the Chevy dealership back home charges $60 an hour), and I came out with a bill for around $2500 to get my baby back to normal. Unless I decided to buy a new engine, which would be a lot more ( in the neighborhood of $4k for parts and labor). And that's just under the hood. That doesn't count the $300 they were going to charge me for dropping the tank and seeing what the problem was with that.

Just to let you guys know, the problem was getting worse. When I originally posted this message, I was able to get about 6 to 7 gallons in the tank. Before I took the car to the dealership, I was only able to get 2 gallons in max.

The check engine light was due to the O2 sensor btw.

It was a hard decision, but I decided to let it go. With how much the repairs were going to be, the bad fuel economy, etc., I just didn't have the money to keep it. I loved having all the room, but I don't need it anymore. I really hated to get rid of it, since it has been so good to me over the past couple of years, and up until all of this, it had never given me a problem. But little did I know, the car was getting very close to crapping out on me. If it hadn't been for the problem with the gas tank, I would have never suspected anything was wrong with it other than the common "crazy needle" problem. So in hindsight, it was probably a good thing I got that problem.

The next thing was, what do I buy now? I live about 15 miles away from my place of employment, which includes the 10 miles I have to drive just to get to town. So, I drive a good 20-30 miles every weekday. As much as I love the new Silverado, considering the miles I drive, and the rape prices for gas these days, a new truck would have to wait. However, I am also 6'3 so I still needed leg room. Anyway, I am now the owner of an 07 Impala LT.

 

What was wrong with it that was going to cost $2500.00???

 

It wasn't one particular thing that was going to cost $2500, it was a long list of things that added up to that amount.

 

I'm having trouble understanding why you can't put fuel in the tank?
Will it not physically go through the filler tube?
Can you provide a list of what you were told the issues are?