Fuel pick up problem

[tiggfall]

Not sure if that's the correct wording but the problem I have in my 2000 5.4L EB is that when I get down to about an 1/8 tank (70 miles left on the over head gauge) I get a feeling like the engine is getting no fuel when I slow down (all most to a stop) then speed up. I never loose power or engine shut down but it feels like I am going to.
Any ideas what it could be?

 

[IMINYOURCHAIR]

I have a similiar problem but haven't verified it. when I first got mine running I was a bit short of cash and had to push the limits of the low fuel light. turns out it's really short. about three to 8 miles after that light comes on It will begin to suck vapor and nearly stall. at about 1/8 or just before the light comes on I risk a no start if I park facing down hill

fun note. where I park at home, is on an incline and this has happened once. it stalled in reverse and I couldn't back out before it stalled....


how did I resolve it? simple, I NEVER allow it to go below 1/4 unless I am on flat ground or still driving. then I can use the tank to the light. it sounds difficult but I just treat the 1/4 mark as empty and fill up before it gets there. the last 1/4 is reserve capacity to me anyhow, and always has been with all my cars for my own personal safety reasons.. if something goes amiss, you still have 1/4 to get you about 80-130 miles depending on the sensor accuracy.

 

[BAD RONALD]

Regularly riding with less than 1/4 tank of gas is asking to burn up the fuel pump.

Search THAT r&r to see how much fun it is and you won't likely run low often.

 

[toms89]

The fuel tank is not well baffled and the sump is not very deep.

The sump is towards the rear so a slight incline or during acceleration is the best chance for it to be covered. During braking or going down hill it would not be difficult for the remaining fuel to flow towards the front of the tank uncovering at least a portion of the sock (pickup) when fuel is low. This allows air into the pump and lines. This will cause inconsistent fueling. Also fuel is what cools the pump so running low fuel can burn up the pump over time.

Deeper sump or better baffling could cure this but unfortunately that's not how they are made.

Never let mine get below 1/4 tank because of this.

 

[IMINYOURCHAIR]

I think the pump is actually almost at the rear most part of the tank. With the spare out you can see the top of the pump connections

 

[toms89]

I think the pump is actually almost at the rear most part of the tank. With the spare out you can see the top of the pump connections

That's what I was trying to say but if memory serves it's still 6-12" from the end. My Stealth 340 lph pump just failed and received replacement from ups today. So maybe I will take photos or video this time when I replace it?! Hope the weather cooperates.

 

[fogger347]

sump issue!

Its without a doubt a sump issue...got a 99 with the same issue...gets low on gas and starts to cough on acceleration or the biggest issue is the left turn stall or hesitation....its actually dangerous....im a die hard ford guy, but they should have owned up to this...thats weak on their part. I had my tank out and apart and the issue is clearly in the design...there is barely a little retaining wall for the one side and NOTHING on the other...and its not like its close enough to the wall of the tank to try and say the side wall does the job...NO....the only way to fix this issue is redesign the pickup area so it retains the fuel during turns and acceleration. Im actually gonna try and come up with a way to do this, hopefully something that could be installed in the tank. It would suck to have to resort to welding on a sump of some sort, but that would definitely fix it.

 

[BAD RONALD]

... It would suck to have to resort to welding on a sump of some sort, but that would definitely fix it.

Resolving to run at least 1/4 tank of fuel would also work.

Why fight it?

 

[BearTree]

My "99" Eddie Bauer on steep areas of my drive will run out when at a half tank on a slight uphill.

 

[488joe]

Sorry, BearTree but that doesn't make sense to me. Did you mean downhill perhaps?

 

[1955moose]

Joe, you do realize your trying to elicit a response from a four year old post! Anything over 3 months don't waste your time. Anytime a member has same or similar issues, always start a new post.

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