Running Fuel Level to Near Empty ?

[youroo]

Originally Posted by Ejs4029

Is there any truth to this ? And if so does it also apply to diesel engines ?


That the gas in your car “acts like a coolant for the electric fuel-pump motor, so when you run very low, this allows the pump to suck in air, which creates heat and can cause the fuel pump to wear prematurely and potentially fail.”

I’ve read where you should never go below a ¼ tank…I’ll admit on both my gas engine and diesel vehicles on occasion I have let the level get down to the low fuel light before re-fueling if so maybe it’s habit that should be avoided curious to know other opinions on the subject.

I have Lots of Research on this and have found NO Reason to let a Fuel Tank run LOW! It costs NO more to Keep it FULL,you will eventually Use it and Not look GOOFY along the side of a road,OUT of FUEL! Youroo!!

[A32Deuce]

Originally Posted by youroo

I have Lots of Research on this and have found NO Reason to let a Fuel Tank run LOW! It costs NO more to Keep it FULL,you will eventually Use it and Not look GOOFY along the side of a road,OUT of FUEL! Youroo!!

X2!

[BandJCarm]

Gracious. More "Let's dream up something to worry about", seems to me.

I drive till I need fuel, OR it's convenient to go get some because I'll need some tomorrow. Then, I go get some. Then I drive some more. Same with DEF.

I get there. I get back. My tool (the truck) does its job.

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by dbarr

Oil pressure switch prevents pumping of fuel of a stalled engine in the event of an accident and cut fuel line.

For me, 1/8 of a tank I get off at the nearest exit and gas up at the nearest station.

I am looking sooner that that !!!
Genny will not run with less than 1/4!!!

[soconor]

As this relates to a Class A or C, keep in mind that the generator generally won’t work if the fuel supply is below 1/4 tank.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by soconor

As this relates to a Class A or C, keep in mind that the generator generally won’t work if the fuel supply is below 1/4 tank.

I understand the reasoning but also question why there isnt a generator only tank. At least have that option from the manufacturers.

A little different with tt's. Run out of generator fuel you just take the tow vehicle to town and fill the containers. With a MH, unless you have a toad it's break camp and go find fuel.

FWIW, fuel pumps are also cooled from the inside as fuel passes through. Their intake floats and takes fuel from the upper level of fuel in the tank, following that down to almost the bottom. Short answer is that I doubt it makes a bunch of difference with today's vehicles other than the embarrassment of running out.

I worried less about damage to a fuel pump than I did about the wrath of my wife should we get stuck.

[A32Deuce]

If you had to do it yourself or pay someone to drop the tank to change the pump, you would worry about it. Now if you are going to camp,in the boonies, then fill your tank before going in. If the genny stops, you know you have a quarter tank to get out with. A separate tank would be a waist unless you run the genny all the time. Most gas types have 55 to 80 gallon fuel tanks.

[A32Deuce]

One more thing. I don't know of any pumps going bad with an empty tank. All the ones I know about, the tank was between three quarters and full!

[2Evil4U]

I always run all my vehicles to dead empty before I fill up. I put 110 miles per day back and forth to work so fewer fills is less wasted time. 240k on my Dodge Stratus and currently 270k on my 97 f150. I change the fuel pumps preventively at 100k intervals. Never had a problem. I don't do it as much with the Cummins as I'm towing and don't want to be stranded with a 10klb trailer attached. The new diesels seem to have lift pumps in the tanks to help with priming in case of fuel filter changes or otherwise. Not sure if they'd work for run dry.

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by 2Evil4U

I always run all my vehicles to dead empty before I fill up. I put 110 miles per day back and forth to work so fewer fills is less wasted time. 240k on my Dodge Stratus and currently 270k on my 97 f150. I change the fuel pumps preventively at 100k intervals. Never had a problem. I don't do it as much with the Cummins as I'm towing and don't want to be stranded with a 10klb trailer attached. The new diesels seem to have lift pumps in the tanks to help with priming in case of fuel filter changes or otherwise. Not sure if they'd work for run dry.

You would not do that in this part of the country in the winter,,,
or you could be found frozen to death alongside the road !!!
We NEVER drop below 1/4 in the winter,,, usually fill @ half empty !!!

[2Evil4U]

Originally Posted by Wolverine 1945

You would not do that in this part of the country in the winter,,,
or you could be found frozen to death alongside the road !!!
We NEVER drop below 1/4 in the winter,,, usually fill @ half empty !!!

Why? I've done it growing up in CT and when I lived in Appleton, WI for 5 years. Never had any issues.

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by 2Evil4U

Why? I've done it growing up in CT and when I lived in Appleton, WI for 5 years. Never had any issues.

You must must be a lucky Man !!!
LOL !!!

[RacerRalph]

I used to be a drive until empty guy. I had a Buick Roadmaster wagon that started blowing the fuel pump fuse. When I replaced the fuse, sometimes it would blow immediately, usually it would go for a while. Finally dropped the tank and found that the insulation on both fuel pump wires inside the tank was completely burnt off. When the bare hot and ground wires would vibrate together the fuse would blow. I'm amazed the tank didn't blow from the spark. Now I always fill up at a quarter tank or more.