Q: I have a 2006 Chevy Trailblazer LT 4WD. It has about 50,000 miles on it. It is no longer under warranty. I have recently begun having problems with the gas gauge (and also the digital display of mileage left before gas is needed). Both read empty (0 miles left — low fuel) when the tank has just been filled. In fact, the gauge reads empty for several miles after fill-up. Then it will sporadically jump around between empty and full while I am driving around. It goes up and down all day long. It's enough to make you crazy. I have no way of knowing when I need gas except to set the trip meter and fill up when I reach 200 miles. So that is what I have been doing. Any idea what is causing this?
A: It sounds as though your fuel sending unit has gone bad. The ALLDATA information system describes the testing procedures for the tank sending unit, if you are using a General Motors scanner. Basically, all it does is to assimilate the signal sent to the computer by the sending unit. Giving the computer a certain predetermined voltage will make the gas gauge read at different position. The diagnostics should not cost that much. However, if you need a new sending unit, you could expect to spend more than $600 installed.
I have a 2002 Audi TT Roadster. It has 32,500 miles on it. I recently had to visit the Audi dealer when the "check engine" light came on. I need to have two sensors replaced. The technician also recommended that I consider replacing the car's timing belt. He said it has low miles, but the age of the car would indicate that the timing belt might need replacing, at a cost of about $1,300. The manual recommended replacing the timing belt during the 105,000 mile service. My question is, should I have the timing belt replaced? Can they tell if it needs to be replaced by looking at it? Does his advice sound correct?
In this case, I have to agree 100 percent with the dealer. He is right on with his advice, and the prices he is quoting are very fair. You should understand that if the timing belt breaks while you're driving, you may suffer catastrophic engine damage.
I received this tip in the mail and wanted to pass it on ...
Please do not turn on air conditioning as soon as you enter the car. Open the windows after and turn on the A/C after a couple of minutes.
Here's why: According to research, the car dashboard, sofa and air freshener emit benzene, a cancer-causing toxin. In addition, benzene poisons your bones, causes anemia and reduces white blood cells. Prolonged exposure will cause leukemia, increasing the risk of cancer. It can also cause miscarriage.
Acceptable benzene level indoors is 50 mg per square foot. A car parked indoors with windows closed will contain 400 to 800 mg of benzene. If parked outdoors under the sun at a temperature above 60 degrees, the benzene level goes up to 2,000 to 4,000 mg, 40 times the acceptable level. People who get into the car, keeping windows closed will inevitably inhale, in quick succession, excessive amounts of the toxin.
Benzene is a toxin that affects your kidney and liver. What's worse, it is extremely difficult for your body to expel this toxic stuff.
So friends, please open the windows and door of your car and give time for the interior to air out before you enter.
Larry Rubenstein is a master technician who owns a North Shore service station. His column appears sporadically on Tuesdays. Write to Larry at the Gloucester Daily Times, c/o Auto Scanner, 36 Whittemore St., Gloucester, MA 01915, or scanauto@aol.com.
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