It is safe to let the gas run out?

[alxtronics]

Hi all

I wonder if I can fill my gas tank, reset the odometer, and run my truck until the gas run out for the sake of knowing my MPG ratio, without the risk of blowing or breaking something?

Thanks

Alex

 

[Dan Whitaker]

No it is not safe.

1: Fuel itself cools the pump. If you run it completely out you risk burning up the pump

2: The the settlement in the tank will get sucked into the fuel filter and clog it. Settlement can also get past the filter and clog your fuel injectors.

 

[alxtronics]

Then definitely a No-No

Thanks for your input.

Alex

 

[Dan Whitaker]

That's what we're all her for.

 

[BrooklynBay]

How many different size options are there for the tank? I know that my van has 2 options. I don't know about the Explorer's tank.

 

[snoborder42]

I think that all the v6 expos have a 19 gallon tank, i may be wrong though.

 

[DMacLennan14]

I think that all the v6 expos have a 19 gallon tank, i may be wrong though.

i think it might be a little bigger than that. i just put 20 gallons in my '04 v6 yesterday when it said i had about 40 miles until empty. although that is also something that could have changed among generations.

 

[Willard]

they have a 21 gallon tank

 

[aldive]

You need not run the tank to empty to calculate MPG.

 

[rck2drums]

So I hear all the time about the settlement in the bottom opf the tank. Other that actually taking off the talk itself, is there a way to clean this out by siphoning and then some sort of vacume or something. I know, I probably sound rediculous.

 

[aldive]

So I hear all the time about the settlement in the bottom opf the tank. Other that actually taking off the talk itself, is there a way to clean this out by siphoning and then some sort of vacume or something. I know, I probably sound rediculous.

Not to worry; just don't run very low/out of gas.

 

[trucku]

Is running to E acceptable as i have done so a few times in the past 2 months.

Good question. I have been wondering myself. I usually take it some miles into the E. Fill up can be over 20 gallons easy.


I have only run her dry once.

 

[Mic_]

Unless you may be in bev hills ... you must carry a 40 if you decide to run the tank dry

 

[schmidlkofer]

fuel lubes the pump as well as cools it...and if you run it dry then debri can getin the pump and cause problems... so dont run out of fuel or run it dry. its not good for the pump. case closed. lol.

 

[CDW6212R]

Try to leave a good three gallons or more at all times. Really high outside temperatures are when you should be more cautious about running low.

There should be very very little sediment in the tank. The pump sock should keep whatever is there from getting into the pump. Good luck,

 

[mikeinri]

I've run out of gas several times (bad gauge, I wasn't paying attention to the odometer), and have never had a problem. Not recommended practice, for sure, but not the worst thing you can do.

BTW, I have over 270,000 miles on the original fuel pump. Now I've gone and said that out loud, so next week, that will be the next thing to go...

The best way that I've seen to calculate MPG is to fill the tank and reset the odometer. Run it down (to whatever level you're comfortable with) and fill it again. Divide the mileage on the odometer by the amount of gas you put in, presto, there's your MPG. For best results, do this several times and take the overall average to factor out different driving conditions.

Mike

 

[mawrazen]

I've run out more than a Dozen times! CEL and codes! Try not to run out of gas.

No gas gauge! :fire:

I Get a CEL and codes 542, 543 (Fuel pump related) when I let her run dry.

Calculating mileage is easy!

1) Top off tank.
2) Reset trip meter.
3) Drive.
4) Top off tank.
5) Divide miles driven by Gallons needed to fill TANK UP!

436 miles/ 19.4 Gallons= 22.47 MPG

1994 Ex Eddie Bauer: 231K miles

 

[ATiredExplorer]

So when is a good time to replace the fuel filter? Had the truck for about 8 to 10 years now, and I think there's only about 78 thousand miles on it or so?

 

[aldive]

So when is a good time to replace the fuel filter? Had the truck for about 8 to 10 years now, and I think there's only about 78 thousand miles on it or so?

Now sounds like a good tme.

Good luck ....

 

[Bwana Bob]

The first generations had 19 gallon tanks. The current generation has (I think) a 22 gallon tank.

On my 92, I can safely run about 300 miles. 275 miles leaves about 1/4 tank. I have run as much as 320-340 miles on atank, but that's playing Russian Roulette. I get about 19 mpg.

I ran mine dry twice. It would run on level ground, but on a downward slope, the pump would suck air and she would stall. Scary and not recommended.

Bob