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Old 11-25-2007, 02:07 PM   #1
Bullwinkle
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Default 96 AWD Legacy Wagon Gas Tank Quandry

We've owned this 96 for a few months now and each time the gas gauge says we're really low on gas, we fill it and only are able to get at most 10 gallons in the tank that's spozed to hold 15.9. Upon looking at the Haynes repair manual, I see a tube sort of connecting the two saddles on the tank, so is there something in there that's preventing fuel from getting to the other side of the tank, or is the gauge just way off? Car has 136k on it and runs fine otherwise. if this tube is the culprit, is cleaning an option or is repacement the only step. Dealer only or after market part available? Would like to fix this before the really cold winter weather sets in.

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving belatedly

DM&FS
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Old 11-25-2007, 03:18 PM   #2
jey
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1995 Legacy Wagon

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Define what you mean by "really low" - I've had my gauge sit below the last tick mark and I still can't get more than 13.5 or so gallons in it. Does the gauge go all the way to Full when you fill it up?
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Old 11-25-2007, 04:46 PM   #3
vitai0
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Also have you ever ran it down so low to see your fuel light turn on ? Ive done this and it takes awhile after the gauge reads E... Once that light turns on, you have another gallon i think or so . . not sure though. would need to look at my Haynes.

m.
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Old 11-25-2007, 04:55 PM   #4
aross
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Ditto.. My 96 Fuel guage rests on the needle past E before the 10Litre left low warning light comes on.

You need to run the tank lower, Guage is totally inaccurate.
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Old 11-25-2007, 05:31 PM   #5
MCarp22
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2013 Impreza
Deep Cherry

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bullwinkle View Post
We've owned this 96 for a few months now and each time the gas gauge says we're really low on gas, we fill it and only are able to get at most 10 gallons in the tank that's spozed to hold 15.9.
I seem to remember reading that the gas gauge indicates E early on purpose to prevent running out of fuel.

Try driving it until the low fuel light comes on. You should be able to fill up 13 gallons with the light on.
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Old 11-25-2007, 06:40 PM   #6
Bullwinkle
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Thanks troops, my wife drives the wagon more than I and she hates running out of gas. We haven't procured an owner's manual yet so it's highly unlikely that we've seen the low fuel light yet since we didn't know the car had one., Anyone got a spare manuaal laying around they wanna part with for a 96? Ebay folks want way too much money for them IMHO.

Avoiding more repairs on this car right now would be a plus for our family

Thganks again.

DM&FS
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Old 11-26-2007, 02:02 PM   #7
jey
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I think if the gauge goes all the way up to Full when you fill it all the way up, I don't think there's anything wrong with it.
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Old 11-26-2007, 02:18 PM   #8
runninstrong
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Its the fuel sending unit above the fuel tank. There is probably nothing seriously wrong, the contacts are just dirty or slightly corroded on the floats.
Mine had the same issue. Filling it would raise the needle to F, but it would drop really quick.
In the cargo area, under the carpet there are 2 oval trap doors secured down by a few nuts. Each side of the tank has a unit, so I did both. All I used was a pencil eraser to clean the contacts where the electrical senders are located, and it took me 2 tries, but never had a problem since. The units are kind of awkward to pull out, some finessing is needed, the passenger side is longer, so its a little more trouble.
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Old 11-26-2007, 08:03 PM   #9
breakfasteatre
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1996 Legacy LS
Silver

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Ive actually ran out of gas, and ive never been able to put more than 50 litres in a tank that is supposed to hold 60.

half tank yesturday, i had only run 150 kms, my fuel mileage is brutal
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Old 11-27-2007, 12:08 AM   #10
Jonathan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bullwinkle View Post
Anyone got a spare manual laying around they wanna part with for a 96 ?
Try out mysubaru.com (you will need your Subaru's VIN to join). IIRC there is a full ONLINE owner's manual there.

Oh, and when I fill up my '96 Legacy L, the low fuel light has typically been on for a while, I rarely put in more than 12 1/2 gallons. I seem to be getting around 19 MPG with lots of short trips and a fair amount of idling in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
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Old 11-27-2007, 02:49 PM   #11
IronMonkeyL255
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I dunno about the newer models, but I read in my '91 owner's manual that the light comes on with 2 gallons left in the tank.

I generally fill up between 10 and 12 gallons.
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Old 11-27-2007, 04:07 PM   #12
breakfasteatre
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Silver

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I thought i was ok for a bit after the light went on, like 5 minutes later i ran out of gas. It took me an hour to walk to and from the closest gas station, and i in north york, just north of Toronto
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