my '04 gc laredo randomly sucks up around 1/16th of a tank when I start the engine. could a bum terminal cable cause this? my negative connection is tempermental but I just haven't had the time to replace it.

 

No. Fix your battery terminals asap tho, it can cause lots of problems. "..sucks up around 1/16th of a tank when I start the engine"? That means it burns a gallon just by starting it up. Again, No.. it's not.. just no.

 

Are you sure it's not leaking out when it's parked?

 

No leak. I always park in the same spot and even put out cardboard. Thought maybe it was a power compensation issue. But now that I've been thinking about it, it's due for new spark plugs and probably needs a new cat.

 

Just FYI, a fuel leak will most likely not even make it to the ground. Gasoline is a solvent so it evaporates very quickly. I had a fuel leak on my old XJ at the pump, and I could watch it stream out and evaporate before it ever could reach a low point and create a drop.

 

Thanks. I added some seafoam to my oil and gas and I'm already seeing some improvement. I think it's a maintenance issue. Just waiting on my refund to have my cat check and swap out my spark plugs.