1999 Silhouette fuel guage

[Scott Dunn]

The feuel guage floats up to full when it is empty. Is there a float in the fuel tank that needs replaced? Is there something else to look at replacing?

[roadrunner2]

Originally Posted by Scott Dunn

The feuel guage floats up to full when it is empty. Is there a float in the fuel tank that needs replaced? Is there something else to look at replacing?

This fault is very common with the vans.

The fuel level sending unit is located in the fuel tank.

The only way to it is to drop the tank.

FWIW, I had this problem with the 2000 Silo I had. The sending unit was replaced and a year later it quit again, even with using an additive from GM to keep the unit from gumming up.

I never fixed it again.

[Scott Dunn]

this aught to be fun without knowing how much fuel is in the tank.

[roadrunner2]

Originally Posted by Scott Dunn

this aught to be fun without knowing how much fuel is in the tank.

Scott, I don't know if you have the overhead computer in your van but I did and used it.

What you can do is reset your trip odometer each fill up and keep track of your mileage/fuel consumption.

Do you remember how many miles you got to a tank? (roughly?)

[jimslaid]

Buy a new fuel level sending unit on ebay $ 20.00. It's a 3 hour job if you get it right the first time.
Jack up the rear and support it with stands block off the front tires. Wear gloves and safety glasses and some clothes you don't care about burning.
Empty out the fuel tank with a siphon $ 8.00 a walmart, or you'll have gas all over the place. Remove the tank straps along with the filler hose, electrical wire harness and the tank will drop. Disconnect the fuel lines. Hammer and chisel the ring counter clockwise, remove the fuel pump housing. The sender is on the outside. Undo the clips and remove it and the connecting wires. Re-use the floater on the new sender, clip the sending unit in place and plug the wires in (note: make sure the wires are connected properly before you re-assemble the tank otherwise the pump will not work, and you will add hours to the job. Carefully put the pump back in the tank and secure the ring clockwise. Lift and align the tank with a floor jack or two, replace all of the fuel lines, Canister/sending/reserc/pressure/ and filler hoses that you took off, then bolt the straps in place.

[woscarr]

I just did all four wheel hubs/bearings, brakes and sending unit on my 02Silo I just got this past December.

I have already did wheel bearings on my 98TS and was a little worried about dropping a gas tank !!

Well in the end the four wheels were a pain and the gas tank was a breeze.

Had to do it all over I'll take the gas tank any day. Mine ended up having about 30 liters in it. Getting the fuel lines disconnected was the only troublesome spot for me (first time doing it was extra careful). Put a trolley jack under it and let it come down gently. When I had it out from under the car I cleaned it and drained it. Working with a empty tank is a breeze. I also found those plastic milk cartons were perfect to fit under the tank for reinstall.

We (me and my son) did this during my Christmas holidays in a old unheated barn we have. It has a concrete floor with carpet I put down. Mind you the average day temp around here is about -5C !!

Next up is Tranny service and water pump (not leaking but noisy)

Cheers
Wayne.