Engine stall once gas gauge dips below quarter tank?

[coolhandguenz61]

Hello again I have a 00' xlt that has been giving me trouble once i get to a quarter tank of gas. about 3 months ago i had the fuel pump, spark plugs, and fuel filter replaced because i was running lean and the car wouldnt start. I also cleaned the MAF, IAC valve, and crankshaft position sensor. Now I am getting about 230-240 miles up until I reach a quarter tank. Once I dip below when coming to a stop the engine shudders and feels like its going to die (and sometimes does) almost exactly the same feeling as if i were running out of gas (i know the feeling ) so now everytime i hit a quarter i fill it back up and everything is fine, but when i fill it up its between 15-17 gallons without fail. what is happening with the remaining 4-6 gallons of gas i have left? is my fuel pump weak or has it something to do with the fuel lines or pressure regulator? thank you in advance for your help.

Jim

 

[SoNic67]

You have water in tank. Lots of it. Water stays on bottom of gasoline.

 

[my98nnj]

And the fuel pump pulls from the bottom, therefore it would pull the water before the gas even if the tank was full.

Water is not the issue here.

I suspect the fuel pump pickup is not seated on the bottom of the tank correctly.

 

[drdoom]

Many Explorers are like yours, they come from the factory that way. Ford knows about this, there is a TSB for this somewhere.

 

[ponkotsu]

Possibly vapor lock? Combined with a weak fuel pump or plugged filter it might do that. Next time it does it crack open the fuel cap and see if it fixes it.