Fuel Related Issues

[lwall]

I own a 2000 SSEi, and have been having issues for the past few months with something fuel related??
List of issues so far:
-Gas gauge fluctuates.
-Gas cap extremely tight due to pressure.
-When filling tank, have to use lower than the lowest setting on the pump otherwise fuel overflows and shoots back towards me. The pump shuts off, but it is always too late.
-Can't fill over 1/2 tank otherwise when gas sloshes around it seems to get into a vent?? and causes car to die. Will always restart, but needs to run for a while to regulate that problem.

Some things we have tried are a new fuel filter, filler neck tube, and gas cap. A mechanic told me it was not the fuel pump. Possibly something in the vents? lines? We are lost.

Thank you!

[Ken_W]

I can't comment on every issue here, but the first one is a known issue that affects almost all 00-05 Bonnevilles eventually. Your fuel level sensor has little metal "fingers" that have worn down and are no longer consistently effective. They may work on and off, but as more time passes they will wear further and become even more useless.

The good news is that you can fix this yourself for under $40, assuming you have a basic level of wrenching ability and some basic tools. Here is a link to an excellent video by club member Hans that will tell you almost everything you need to know. If you still have questions after viewing it, feel free to ask them here.

Part One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7cY_IPCVfI
Part Two: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FST1whbc ... re=related
Part Three: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N16YmV9 ... re=related

The other issues are likely unrelated, but they may all be results of a single separate problem. Have you tested your fuel pressure? You can borrow a fuel pressure test kit from Autozone or Advance or O'Reilly's and test it easily at no charge. The result may shed some light on this issue.

Also (just to be sure) do you usually use Premium gas (91 octane or higher) in this car?

Ken_W