Unusable Fuel in Tank
randal...@gmail.com
mechanic at the Jeep garage not to burn down the fuel below 1/4 tank,
lest the engine quit on curves. What I actually discovered is that
when my gauge says "1/4" I am out of fuel. Has anyone else
experienced this?
Does it mean that there is 1/4 tank of unusable fuel in the tank, OR
does it mean that the gauge is really wrong and is reading 1/4 when
the tank is empty. Note: I have experienced fuel exhaustion at 1/4
with two different gauge clusters.
Thanks in advance...
Apple2Steward
troubleshooting.
And a properly functioning GW fuel system, despite what the
mechanic told you, will not normally run out of gas at 1/4 tank
even on a curve.
First you have to do basic stuff- the tank has a volume of ~20.3
U.S. gallons. Do something like this. Carry a 5 gallon can of
gas around town with you and do errands near gas stations until
it runs out of gas. Check the indicated fuel level on the gauge
then fill with the 5 gallons and go to a nearby gas station and
fill the rest of the way. Do the arithmetic and figure how much
gas was really in the tank when it ran out. If it really runs
out at 1/4 tank full then there is a fuel delivery problem. If
it was really empty at 1/4 tank indicated, then it is a bad
sender, bad gauge, bad wiring or connections. I would also say,
do NOT do as some recommend and try to correct any of these
problems by putting resistors in the circuit. I just think this
is a bad approach to addressing a problem with a component, and
is likely to confuse you or someone else in the future.
The reason a GW should not "run out of gas" on a curve or
otherwise when the level is low is because the tip of the fuel
pickup on the sender is positioned in a well in the tank. Unless
on extreme inclines with very little fuel, the pickup should
remain immersed.
The problems I can think of that can mimic an out-of-fuel
condition are as follows:
1. Clogged in-tank fuel filter sock
3. Replacement sender with incorrect short pickup tube
3. Upside down fuel filter with the vapor nipple at 6:00
4. Clogged gas tank vent (normally runs back to the charcoal
cannister)
5. Bad vent check valve
6. Weak fuel pump.
If venting is the problem, removing the gas cap when you seem to
run out of gas should let the engine start again.
Be aware that the sender (and the vent check-valve) can be
checked or changed out without dropping the tank using the access
panel on the driver's side of the cargo area (back seat folded
forward). It is under the carpet and may be riveted, but the
rivets can be easily drilled out and then replaced with sheet
metal screws when you are done.
"If needed, BJ's Off-Road has the senders and socks (which should
be attached to the pickup tube with a hose clamp).
http://www.bjsoffroad.com/cartgenie/prodList.asp?scat=33
Your GW did not "run out of gas" at 1/4 tank when new, so if
repaired properly, there is no reason for it to do so now to do
so now.
"randal...@mac.com" <randal...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:b97b2638-96f8-4a30...@r12g2000vbm.googlegroups.com...
L.W.(Bill) Hughes III
Many times the float will jam against a reservoir it sits in. I don't
know if it's the plastic that distorts or the last time float was
reinstalled the wire was bent as there is a twist trick to installing it.
Anyways, bend the wire and bench test it with jumpers from your Wagoneer.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:BillH...@billhughes.com
http://www.billhughes.com/jeep_bookmark.htm
"randal...@mac.com" <randal...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:b97b2638-96f8-4a30...@r12g2000vbm.googlegroups.com...
randal...@gmail.com
>
> Your GW did not "run out of gas" at 1/4 tank when new, so if
> repaired properly, there is no reason for it to do so now to do
> so now.
>
>
> news:b97b2638-96f8-4a30...@r12g2000vbm.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
> > When I bought my latest Grand Wagoneer, I was casually advised
> > by the
> > mechanic at the Jeep garage not to burn down the fuel below 1/4
> > tank,
> > lest the engine quit on curves. What I actually discovered is
> > that
> > when my gauge says "1/4" I am out of fuel. Has anyone else
> > experienced this?
>
> > Does it mean that there is 1/4 tank of unusable fuel in the
> > tank, OR
> > does it mean that the gauge is really wrong and is reading 1/4
> > when
> > the tank is empty. Note: I have experienced fuel exhaustion
> > at 1/4
> > with two different gauge clusters.
>
> > Thanks in advance...
Thanks for this very informative response. I will work on doing this
and get the fuel system back to normal, as my GW only gets about 8.8
mpg, I sometimes need all the fuel in the tank!
randal...@gmail.com
>
> Your GW did not "run out of gas" at 1/4 tank when new, so if
> repaired properly, there is no reason for it to do so now to do
> so now.
>
>
> news:b97b2638-96f8-4a30...@r12g2000vbm.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
> > When I bought my latest Grand Wagoneer, I was casually advised
> > by the
> > mechanic at the Jeep garage not to burn down the fuel below 1/4
> > tank,
> > lest the engine quit on curves. What I actually discovered is
> > that
> > when my gauge says "1/4" I am out of fuel. Has anyone else
> > experienced this?
>
> > Does it mean that there is 1/4 tank of unusable fuel in the
> > tank, OR
> > does it mean that the gauge is really wrong and is reading 1/4
> > when
> > the tank is empty. Note: I have experienced fuel exhaustion
> > at 1/4
> > with two different gauge clusters.
>
> > Thanks in advance...
In reference to the fuel filter vapor nipple, are you referring to the
inline fuel filter in the engine compartment?
randal...@gmail.com
<BillHug...@billhughes.com> wrote:
> Hi Randle,
> Many times the float will jam against a reservoir it sits in. I don't
> know if it's the plastic that distorts or the last time float was
> reinstalled the wire was bent as there is a twist trick to installing it.
> Anyways, bend the wire and bench test it with jumpers from your Wagoneer.
> God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
> http://www.billhughes.com/jeep_bookmark.htm
>
> "randallbr...@mac.com" <randallbr...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:b97b2638-96f8-4a30...@r12g2000vbm.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
> > When I bought my latest Grand Wagoneer, I was casually advised by the
> > mechanic at the Jeep garage not to burn down the fuel below 1/4 tank,
> > lest the engine quit on curves. What I actually discovered is that
> > when my gauge says "1/4" I am out of fuel. Has anyone else
> > experienced this?
>
> > Does it mean that there is 1/4 tank of unusable fuel in the tank, OR
> > does it mean that the gauge is really wrong and is reading 1/4 when
> > the tank is empty. Note: I have experienced fuel exhaustion at 1/4
> > with two different gauge clusters.
>
> > Thanks in advance...
I'll look into it. Does the float and sender sit under the access
panel, or do I need to drop the tank to check this?
Thanks, Bill.