Running Fuel Tank Low, damaging?
10-16-2005, 02:47 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Running Fuel Tank Low, damaging?
If I run my tank below 1/4 tank I get some rough running. It still idles well but a loss of some power and rough running is noticable. Is this damaging?
I assume it is air getting in. What are the fixes? Is the FASS the only fix for the Dodges? In the F%&d world this is a common problem.
Any advice?
I assume it is air getting in. What are the fixes? Is the FASS the only fix for the Dodges? In the F%&d world this is a common problem.
Any advice?
10-16-2005, 02:56 PM
#2
Bad idea, excess fuel is pumped thru the injection pump to help cool it. The more fuel in the tank the cooler the IP, I never let mine go below 1/4. Use a laser thermometer on the fuel tank sometime after you have been running awhile, it will surprise you the amount of heat transfered to the fuel, especially when your tank is low.
10-16-2005, 03:20 PM
#3
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is there a fix for this or am I just stuck with not letting it get below a 1/4? My build sheet says I have a 34 gallon tank but I have run 50 miles with the needle sitting on the empty pin and 0 mile DTE and was only able to put 28.2 gallons in the tank. It would be nice to feel comfortable running 500 miles to every tank.
10-16-2005, 07:48 PM
#4
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 8,803
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Larry's right and you especially don't want to do it when it's really cold out or you have a better chance of the fuel gelling. Ask me how I know!! 
That injection pump is too expensive to burn it up so just keep at least 1/2 tank instead of 1/4 tank....
That injection pump is too expensive to burn it up so just keep at least 1/2 tank instead of 1/4 tank....
10-16-2005, 10:10 PM
#5
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This really SUX!!! What good is a fuel tank if you can't use it. If I keep it at 1/2 tank or more I can only go 250 miles at a time. I drive from my home to Gainesville, FL quite often, it's a 400 mile trip and I like making it there without having to stop.
...
10-17-2005, 04:50 AM
#7
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Eastern & Western Merryland
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In my experience, running low fuel in a tank is only a real concern if you have two or more fuel tanks where the empty ones could be left "dry" while operating the engine on the other(s). This pertains to gassers as well.
If there is only one tank, and the engine is running on it, there shouldn't be a concern. Running a tank low is factored into the design and engineering of it - a fact of life if you will.
Now if the tank is dry and the engine won't run due to no/incredibly low fuel (eg. no fuel to keep the pump cool) - turn the key off while you go find some more fuel and you won't burn the pump up. This ain't rocket science.
If there is only one tank, and the engine is running on it, there shouldn't be a concern. Running a tank low is factored into the design and engineering of it - a fact of life if you will.
Now if the tank is dry and the engine won't run due to no/incredibly low fuel (eg. no fuel to keep the pump cool) - turn the key off while you go find some more fuel and you won't burn the pump up. This ain't rocket science.
Trending Topics
10-17-2005, 08:12 AM
#8
Registered User
Well I like to test my truck when I first get them to see how low is low on the Gauge. So far I have run the DTE to ZERO twice and happened to fill up right at Zero and 6 miles past Zero. Here are the results:
Zero DTE filled the fuel up to the top of the neck and got 37.8 Gallons into the tank!
6 Miles Past Zero DTE filled the fuel up to the top of the neck and got 38.3 gallons into the tank.
Now that I know what to expect I will fill up at 100 Mile DTE and use the last 100 as sort of a reserve.
Joe
Zero DTE filled the fuel up to the top of the neck and got 37.8 Gallons into the tank!
6 Miles Past Zero DTE filled the fuel up to the top of the neck and got 38.3 gallons into the tank.
Now that I know what to expect I will fill up at 100 Mile DTE and use the last 100 as sort of a reserve.
Joe
10-17-2005, 10:55 AM
#10
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
By the numbers I can say with relative confidence I don't have a 34 gallon tank. Getting 28 gallons in a tank after 500 miles and on dead empty (but still able to run) gives it away.
What size tank was available other than the 34? I am assuming somewhere in the high 20s,
What size tank was available other than the 34? I am assuming somewhere in the high 20s,
10-17-2005, 07:13 PM
#11
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: northwestern PA
Posts: 656
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i have run my tank until it will take over 39 gallons to fill it up since i installed the vent kit, is there really evidence that this is a risk? i've gone over 700 miles on a tank, another one of the benefits of a real man's bed 
10-17-2005, 08:33 PM
#12
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: minnesota
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
you are all going to laugh at me but I have run mine 50 miles past zero dte. and I get 9mpg! I have put in 41 gallons and the truck was still running just fine. I put about 600 miles on a day and always run till it's empty then fill. If I filled at 1/4 tank all the time I would loose about half an hour each day. I can't afford that. I will be happy to see my titan supertank show its head in november so that I can have 60 gallons on board!!
10-18-2005, 12:24 AM
#13
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: S. Ca.
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Vent Kit
Originally Posted by hovisimo
i have run my tank until it will take over 39 gallons to fill it up since i installed the vent kit, is there really evidence that this is a risk? i've gone over 700 miles on a tank, another one of the benefits of a real man's bed
What is a vent kit? please?
10-18-2005, 08:39 AM
#14
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: CT
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
John here you go http://www.dodgedieseldatabase.com/david_kelley.htm
10-18-2005, 02:25 PM
#15
Registered User
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Oregon
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by PsRumors
If I run my tank below 1/4 tank I get some rough running. It still idles well but a loss of some power and rough running is noticable. Is this damaging?
I assume it is air getting in. What are the fixes? Is the FASS the only fix for the Dodges? In the F%&d world this is a common problem.
Any advice?
I assume it is air getting in. What are the fixes? Is the FASS the only fix for the Dodges? In the F%&d world this is a common problem.
Any advice?