Everyone always tells me i should not let my gas get below a quarter tank b/c it screws up your fuelpump... i dont want to do that b/c them things are expensive and an absolutel b*tch to change... is this true??

 

Actually it is not good to let any vehicle get real low on fuel. There is more of a chance to pick up any dirt, etc. that could be in the tank.

 

The whole reason people tell you that is most likely your fuel filter will clog faster (Note to self: change fuel filter). Half the time I run on less than 1/2 tank though.....

 

It's generally OK to run under a 1/4 tank. The main thing you DO NOT want to do is run it out of gas or run it real low every time. Fuel lubricates and cools the fuel pump and running it dry will shorten its life.

 

both moderators post in the same thread.. and to only give advice.. wow..

anyways.. its not the best for the car for the reasons above..

 

Agreed 100%!!! 1/4 tank is fine as long as you're crusing on the highway, and not doing any turning, or stopping, or accelerating. If your car starts cutting out on a turn-off from the highway, don't think "I need gas", think "my fuel pump's going to run dry and break and then I'll be screwed!"

I've replaced my pump twice. First time was the original pump, and I used to run it low on gas.. .the car would always cut out, I thought it was cool. Second pump, I never came close to empty, and have no idea why the pump died. Oh well. Pump was $100 (lifetime warranty so I didn't have to buy a second), and I did the labor myself, but if you have a shop do it, expect $300-up for labor.

 

I never had to change the fuel pump in my car (untill I changed engines) but I tried to push it every tank, turning corners as fast as I could to see how far it could go before cutting out, I did that to that engine about every tank for 100K no probs, by the way I never "ran out of gas either" one time i could not turn a corner at more than 10mph but that was going into the gas staition.

 

Well that's cool; you got lucky. It's still a proven fact. Without gas, the pump runs dry. Even if you don't run the tank dry, if the pump isn't submerged in gas, it gets hot.

 

pumps on third gens are a bitch to change, why they have to put em in the tank?

 

They're in the tanks of all fuel injected cars. EFI uses high pressure pumps, and typically, pumps push fuel better than they pull it.

 

Not only is running out of fuel bad for the pump, but for the FI system also. It doesn't react to air being in the fuel lines and injectors.
Also, it sux having to walk carrying the infamous "see how stupid I was for not getting gas at that last station" red fuel can!

 

Is it just me or does the car "howl" when its low on gas and you take a corner like a Chevy would? That's not good, huh... I know "E" does not mean "enough" but sometimes im just too broke to get gas and heck yeah changing that fuel pump is a bitch, especially for a girl....

 

pumps, for your info pull just as hard as they push, they would just need a safe way to prime the fuel line

 

The gas helps keep the fuel pump motor cool and extends its life. Thats another reason you should keep gas in the tank.
I wish GM did put an access plate over the pump to make them easier to change , Wonder why they didnt

 

ASK DAN THAT QUESTION
Be smart, find a weathly person to support your speed freak habit.
It helps!
J/K!
I've changed the f---ing pump.
BUT, it will eventually go, no matter what ya do.
Honest on that detail.
IF over 100K, expect it, accept it.

 

If your getting a new engine in your car.. is it worth to tell them to change the fuel pump also?

im going from a 305 and I run it low sometimes, once I ran it so low I was amazed haha. But now a 350 is going in. Should I ask for change?

 

Re-read my last line.
Ya should wait until it dies, tho.
Expect it to do so.

 

dave, that is like saying, "If your getting a new Window in your car should i change the fuel pump also?". like KED85 says, wait till it goes, it's very expensive.

 

Yea that would make it easy for the average guy to change it themselves!!! not like GM wants us to bring it to them to fix it for us for a few hundred dallars anyway.

 

Karl , why would you wait till it goes??? I'd rather save the trip on the flatbed. (Although I do know how to get a car running even with a dead fuel pump )

Also, on some Buick's, they DO have access panels inside the trunk to replace the fuel pump. Unfortunately for the F-body's though, no access panel.

 

I remember when I changed my tank and pump, ah it was so fun. From the dust in my eyes to the busted nuckles, and sore neck and head. Even though my old pump was doing great I thought it would be better to have a new one in my newer tank. Still love the fbods though no matter what

 

It can be dangerous to ride on a low tank , what if you run out of gas and your stranded in the ghetto ?

 

Or you could be pulling out onto the highway and get hit from the hesitation due to low gas.

 

Why wait until fuel pump goes.
It may not die in your car ownership,
IT may die next day or NEXT YEAR.
If you do not have access to tools/easy way out fix (THANKS DAN!!), hey, let it hang in there.
NOW if you have the extra time, money hey go for it!
When I rebuilt the rear axle/suspension of my 1974 Corvette, I only resealed the posi housing differential. I went ape**** on every other **** detail you could think of. (meaning it was pretty until I drove it, I don't trailer cars!)
I need to remove that diff & rebuild it now (about $300-500. I rebuilt whole rear stuff for less than the $300-ran low on funds)
I got oh 3-4 years of usage....
Sometimes you can "cheat", until the kitty is fed again, to withdraw funds.
Some/Many peoples lives are NOT living under a car, anymore.
Just have to roll dice and give best decisions for the money spent.
But if ya got the time, yeah enjoy the dirt!