I was driving down the road last night, truck sputtered a bit and then died. I have just had the VP and lift pump changed less than a month ago and truck was running just peachy. My fuel gauge showed over a 1/4 tank left and the overhead said I had enough fuel for about 100 miles. I got my son to pull me home, filled the tank with 20 gallons of #2, primed the VP and all is good again.

My question is has anyone ever experienced anything like this before. I am leaning toward the possibility that the pick-up tube in the tank may have seperated from the float assembly and is riding higher in the tank. I am gonna top off tank in the morning and see how much more she holds....

stumped Gary

 

Yup, we've seen this alot.

Either the pickup tube in the tank has a crack in it that causes the system to suck air before the fuel level reaches the bottom of the tank, or the gauge sending unit is bad.


Thanks why I refuel @ 1/2 tank whenever possible, and compare Trip Odometer miles with the gauge reading.
In addition, the VP-44 injection pump is cooled by the excess fuel that is not burned and returned to the tank.
So letting the fuel level drop really low means the fuel temps are hotter as the fuel doesn't have as much "cooler" fuel in the tank to mix with before being sent back forward.

 

The fuel sending unit is probably toast. Lots of folks have had the unit replaced under warranty as well as having to pay for it including me. Luckily, my extended warranty paid for mine.