Sloshing Sound from Gas Tank-2006 Sonata

When coming to a stop, we hear gas sloshing back and forth in our new
4 cyl. GLS. I didn't hear this in my test drives, but do now. Anyone
have the same problems and any insights into a fix? Johnboy

 

Without a tad more info I would dare to say you are hearing gas
sloshing around in your gas tank. Whats your read on the
origin??.............Doc

 

wrote in @o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com:

You know, this is something I am noticing more and more with my '06 GLS.
It is definitely gas in my tank sloshing around, and I really only hear it
from when the tank is full until about 1/8 empty.

With Hyundaitech mentioning that these tanks have no baffles (I think that
is what he said), it is not surprising, and doesn't really concern me
except for the fact that it seems to be getting worse over time.

Eric

 

I hear this occasionally in my GL as well. No idea if there is a fix.
I'm guessing Hyundai didn't baffle the tank sufficiently or at all and
this isn't something easily fixed. Turning up the radio helps.

I also hear noises from the rear occasionally when applying the brakes,
but haven't taken it in yet to have someone else listen.

My dash also makes a fairly sharp cracking/popping noise when I hit a
very abrupt bump (edge of a bridge apron for example). Anyone else have
this problem?


Matt

 

I don't think this will cause a problem, but I do wonder if it will have
any affect on the electric fuel pump. Might cause something to fatique
and fail after a few years of this. Also, it might let the pump run in
air occasionally when the tank is low and you are stopping, cornering or
accelerating hard. I'm assuming the Sonata has the standard in-tank
electric fuel pump as do most FI cars. These pumps are lubricated and
cooled by the gas they are pumping. If they run in air, their life can
be shortened rather dramatically.

A separate but related question, has anyone had their low fuel light
come on yet? I ran mine down to less than 1/8" by the gauge and still
no light. I put in 15.5 gallons in a tank that I think is claimed to
hold 17.7. Most cars I have give the low-fuel warning at about the 1/8
tank level. I'll run it down a little lower next time know that I know
that I still have two gallons left at the 1/8 mark.


Matt

 

Agreed. Definitely a concern.

The light came on for me when I hit "E". Strangely enough the trip
computer showed I had "0" miles left, but when I filled up (about 10 miles
later) I still only took 16.9 gallons. My guess would be that it gives you
a 1-1.5 gallon reserve.

All of my Hyundai's have acted the same, with the light not coming on until
about the "E" level.

Eric

 

Ok, I'll have to put a can of gas in the trunk and test my own car.
That seems like a pretty small margin. Where I live, it isn't unusual
to be 20 miles from the nearest gas station, and at night, the nearest
open station might be even farther away.


Matt

 

I live near a new facility that is starting up to make plastic fuel tanks
for Kia and, I assume, Sonata. It's in Lavonia, Ga. They are using a new
technique designed to minimize emisiions to meet the government's standards.
They are blow molding the tank around all of the fuel components at one
shot. That is, the fuel pump, level sensor, and all of the various hoses
are contained inside the tank when it is blow molded. There is one small
access hole, but it is too small to remove or replace any of the components.
Guess what? When anything fails in the tank, you replace the entire gas
tank!!! Thank our forward thinking government for that one. Also, in the
cut up parts that I saw, there were no baffles. The only thing that
prevents sloshing are all the components and hoses in there.

Tom

 

How is blow molding with the parts in place any better at minimizing
emissions that blow molding the tank with a hole in it to contain the
pump and sending unit? I assume you are talking about emissions from
the manufacturing process, but maybe I missunderstood you.

Yes, blow molding baffles into a tank would be a real innovation!

Matt