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Ran out of gas

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Old 12-16-2006, 09:43 PM
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Default Ran out of gas

Did a search= nothing so, my fuel sending unit has been out for a while, I lost track of how much fuel I had and ran out of gas. I put 2.5 gallons in and it dosent start. I tow it home change fuel filter and still no start. I turn the key a few times (to possibly build up fuel pressure and still no start!!! I pushed in the schrader valve on the drivers side fuel rail and got no fuel or even air.

If the fuel pump was working there should be some fuel or air right?
Should I try to put more fuel in?
I cant even hear the fuel pump, but I dont remember if I could hear it when it worked.

I'm pretty sure it is the pump, just checking what you guys think.
Also I know it can be changed (with a little cutting) without dropping the tank. Anybody got a link for this.
Thanks in advance
Old 12-16-2006, 09:50 PM
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Definitely the fuel pump. The stock pumps are weak and running out of gas will most likely fry it.

Letting it run that low is always playing with fire
Old 12-16-2006, 09:55 PM
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yep. the gas cools the pump while it runs and running out of gas is death to an in-tank pump
Old 12-16-2006, 10:22 PM
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Sounds like you burned up the fuel pump. Like the post says above, gas is what keeps the pump cool. Turn the key and see if you can hear the pump run a couple seconds at first.
Old 12-16-2006, 10:27 PM
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you don't wanna hear this.....#1-Do not run out of gas in a Fuel Injected modern car....whatta drag---bet it is the pump..---i never let my car get LESS than 1/4 TANK--EVER.
Old 12-16-2006, 10:48 PM
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Damnit, Anybody know anything about this
I'm pretty sure it is the pump, just checking what you guys think.
Also I know it can be changed (with a little cutting) without dropping the tank. Anybody got a link for this.
Old 12-16-2006, 11:00 PM
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Originally Posted by ws6nick
I'm pretty sure it is the pump, just checking what you guys think.
Also I know it can be changed (with a little cutting) without dropping the tank. Anybody got a link for this.
Thanks in advance

Wouldn't you have to cut a hole in the trunk to pull it out of the tank? It's screwed in on top of the tank. I'd just drop the tank and change it.
Old 12-17-2006, 09:45 AM
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Well the good news is when you change the pump it wiil fix the sender problem.
Old 12-17-2006, 10:20 AM
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The sad part is that I didn't think dropping the tank was that bad. I mean it is already empty anyways. It isn't going to weigh too much. No reason to put a hole in your car.

Not everything should be a 15 min fix.
Old 12-17-2006, 02:41 PM
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It doesn't say what year the car is, but if it's a '98 then pulling the tank will be a lot harder than '99+, from what I hear.

I hope that I never need to pull my '98 tank to find out. I'll take their word for it.
Old 12-18-2006, 10:00 AM
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If you turn the key to run, does the pump make a noise?
If so, is it the normal, good priming noise or something else? My guess is it is not priming. You would have to prime it a few times to get pressure, but it sounds like nothing is happening at key on. You should have around 50 PSI at key on, and from what you said about releasing the schrader, you have about 0.

If you end up having to replace it, the "trap door" with a pair of metal sheers takes about 3 minutes to get to the pump. Sure there is a hole in your car over the pump after that, but you can always get at the pump, and holes can be covered.

I did this to put a walbro in 2 weeks ago. It's not hard at all.
Old 12-18-2006, 11:30 AM
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your gonna need this:

http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/fbody/fuelpump.htm

This was done on an LT1 but I assume the procedures are very similar.
Old 12-19-2006, 11:19 AM
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Yep if your not getting soaked in the face with gas when you press that valve after the system has been primed, your pump is ****




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