fuel issue after parked on incline

This happened twice lately:
once after leaving Xterra ('03 SE 2WD) parked tilted with driver side up on 2 ramps
& again weeks later after leaving it parked overnight with front end up on 2 ramps...
Fuel gauge suddenly reads E, though tank is more than 1/2 full.
Starts up & drives fine under 30 mph 3/4 mile to main road, then chugs & bucks like it's running out of fuel when i try to get it up around 40 mph.
After a restart or two the gauge responds accurately and it runs normally.
After the 1st incident i replaced the fuel filter and have had no issues till parking it with the front end up last night.

I can understand why parking at an angle/incline might affect the fuel level float/arm and send a bad read to the gauge, but why would it also act like it's low on fuel when it's not?

I would guess. if your Fuel pump is The original, it might be getting weak in its pumping abilities.. If filters were changed.. that rules out plugged up.

That is the only thing that really stands out, Angle should not matter. OR small leak and its getting air bubble.. till it clears?

Least your model is easy access to the fuel pump, Vs the later models of dropping Whole tank..

all I got!.

Are all the gauges acting funny when it happens or just the fuel gauge?

Had a very similar thing happen to our 1st gen. Its the fuel pump / sending unit. You need to replace it, and it'll be just fine. Unfortunately you have to drop the tank to do it.

Apparently the low fuel reading from the sensor will put this into a sort of "limp mode", which explains my situation.

TerryD said:

Are all the gauges acting funny when it happens or just the fuel gauge?

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just the fuel gauge & it coincides directly with the performance issue

IM1RU said:

fuel pump/sending unit. You need to replace it, and it'll be just fine. Unfortunately you have to drop the tank to do it.

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access panel under the rear seat isn't enough room to replace the fuel pump?

visitor said:

Apparently the low fuel reading from the sensor will put this into a sort of "limp mode", which explains my situation.


just the fuel gauge & it coincides directly with the performance issue


access panel under the rear seat isn't enough room to replace the fuel pump?

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I didn't do mine, that's what I was told. If Nissan had the brains to give access to that through the cabin I'd be surprised... weirder things have happened though...lol

Want to say the older Gen's had a Hatch under the driver-side passenger seat.. For access to the pump. Now, replacing it via that hole.. DUNNO.

Go find some Tiny kids, teach them the ways of the Tools.. They have tiny hands and arms. Vs us Gorilla arm adults.

Nissan Hired a funky engineer, that never was outside a Cubicle office..

There is a recall / TSB on the fuel pump. I had mine fixed for free on my 02 at the dealer.

That sucks.