Hopefully this isn't a common question, but I'm still pretty new around here, so please forgive me if it is.

Whenever my 99 is low on gas (1/8 or less), it has trouble turning over. So far, it has always started - maybe not on the 1st crank, but if not definitely on the 2nd. It only happens if the car has been sitting for a while - say 5 hours or more. This has been going on for at least a year without getting any worse.

Any thoughts?

 

Yeah, don't let your gas get that low.

 

Haha. When your commute is <2 miles, it's hard not to let it get that low, often for many days at a time.

 

There's so much crud at the bottom of your gas tank that letting the gas go that low isn't very good. Also, if you fill up with more in the tank, it'll cost "less" and you won't get pissed at the pump.

 

Mine has always done this.. That's when i k now it's time to fill up.

 

Mine just started doing this on the last tank

Fuel pump getting weak?

I will have to upgrade soon anyways I think

 

I had a problem similar to that, actually it was that sometimes, and also when about 1/8th tank and going up a relatively steep incline the engine would stutter and sometimes stall.

Since replacing my fuel filter, I no longer have these problems. When was the last time yours was replaced? If it's been quite a while, it wouldn't hurt to replace it or have it replaced anyway.

 

its common, happens to me all the time when im low

 

Fuel pressure regulator? Since less fuel meaning more volume to maintain fuel pressure, eh?

The other guys brought up a good point. Since the maxima uses an external fuel pump, steep incline are going to affect where the gas is located in the tank. But since the car starts up anyway, the car isn't build up pressure quick enough.

 

never really thought of it as a bad thing, i just know i have to get gas soon. i've had a new fuel filter in my garage for probably about a year and some change. maybe its time to finally put that sucker on since my car has been starting hard when it sits in the sun for a few hours, never did it before but its wierd cuz if i give it some gas, then it likes to start. any thoughts on that?

 

It even happens to us Canadians

Seems to be quite common with 4th gens, I really don't think it's a sign of impending doom for the fuel pump. Mine has done this for quite a few years now & thus I "try" to avoid running the tank low.

 

both my maximas did/do it

 

Try turning the key on on for a short bit before trying to turn the starter over to let the fuel pressure build up first.