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Hello, haven't posted here in a few years but having some random problems with the car recently.

About a year ago, I filled up my tank and immediately notice that the gauge only showed half full. I went back to the station to complain and then realized that the needle was slowly rising to full. Over the next few months, this started happening more often. Then it got worse. The gas needle started randomly dropping to empty while I was driving. Then 5 seconds later it would shoot back up to wherever it was before. Now for the past 3 months or so, it just stays on empty regardless of how much gas is in the car.

I saw some old threads about the sender unit going bad? Any ideas what this could be or how to DIY fix it?

Car is a 2001 Civic EX 5spd coupe. Thanks!

 
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more than likely a bad fuel sender, since the gauge was technically moving. it requires getting to the fuel pump and changing the sender, a big job if youve never done it.

 
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Mine occasionally will show empty with the gas light on and slowly over the course of like 5 minutes realize that it's full. Seems to happen in the summer more than the winter.

 
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Alright, that's what I figured. I'm going to tackle the timing belt next weekend, maybe fuel sender the weekend after. Does the service manual cover the replacement well enough? How does it compare in terms of work to the timing belt?

 
Rep Power: 813

its easier than a timing belt, but messy. be careful not to spill gas everywhere when removing the fuel pump under the rear seat. and do it outside so you dont die from gas smell lol.