Here is the scenario. 10 years ago, my 2001 F250 4wd, XC, SB, with the V10 used up a fuel pump...at 18K miles. Replaced under warranty. Fast forward to 2 months ago, same issue, fuel pump went out...however, I'm at 107K miles when it went. Took it to my local mechanic (not Ford mechanic). And although they saved me $400 over the local Ford repair quote, I have noticed something.

Either my fuel gauge is messed up, or it's getting about 5-6 mpg. Let me explain. I have the 29 gallon fuel tank. At 10 mpg (never less up until this point, 14 out on the highway), I should be able to go...290 miles on a tank. Making each quarter of a tank is roughly 70 miles. And that is really close to how much it was indicated prior to this new fuel pump. After the new fuel pump install however, I am getting no more than 40 miles per quarter of fuel gauge (indicated). Or 160 miles per tankful...or just over 5.5 mpg.

I know I need to top off the tank and see how many mile vs gallons I have truly used. But this just seems to over the top. My fuel pump caused me to lose over 40% mpg? Is it possible when they did the replacement, they either bent the sending unit arm, or put the wrong sending unit in...say for either a smaller or bigger tank capacity? Or, is it possible that the install of the new fuel pump is REALLY using up this much fuel. I drive this thing often, almost always unloaded.

What say you??

 

Well, first thing to do is fill it up and see how much it takes versus what the gauge says.

 

Agreed, how much gas are you putting in on fill ups???

My 2002 gas gauge is the worst I have ever seen in any vehicle.

When I bought the truck this year used it would never go above 3/4 after fill up. I decided to replace fuel pump since the truck was 11 years old, and did not make since to drop tank for just a sending unit.

Replaced it with a new direct replacement from Airtex... it was plug and play install.

Now my gauge reads full on fill ups but it still is very quirky.... the first 1/2 tank goes down at an erratic rate, and sometimes I will drive a mile or two after fill ups and get back in and gauge reads just over 3/4 tank???

If seems to be much more linear in its readings from 1/2 tank to empty. I am going about 240 to 250 between fill ups, and putting in 24 to 25 gallons.

I believe the gauge cluster on these truck has an anti-slush circuit that may be causing our troubles.