Ran Her Empty
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 193
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Ran Her Empty
Yesterday while towing my rig down the highway, I unintentionally ran out of fuel, about a quarter-mile from the station (first time I've ever done this 
). I brought back a 5-gallon jug of fuel to pour in, turned the ignition on and off 10 times at 30-second intervals, then made 4 start attempts before she ran. Drove to the station and filled up the rest of the way and added the usual 6 oz of PM-22A.
I'm a little concerned about the HPFP. Does anyone know if running out of fuel has been known to cause damage or excessive wear? Any advice is appreciated!
Thanks,
Carl
). I brought back a 5-gallon jug of fuel to pour in, turned the ignition on and off 10 times at 30-second intervals, then made 4 start attempts before she ran. Drove to the station and filled up the rest of the way and added the usual 6 oz of PM-22A.I'm a little concerned about the HPFP. Does anyone know if running out of fuel has been known to cause damage or excessive wear? Any advice is appreciated!
Thanks,
Carl
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
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All I know to recommend is to check the filter pleats next time you change fuel filters.
Was the computer at 0 MTE or did it die before 0?
I've been as far as 24 MTE and I'm to chicken to repeat it although even then full was less than 22 gallons.
Was the computer at 0 MTE or did it die before 0?
I've been as far as 24 MTE and I'm to chicken to repeat it although even then full was less than 22 gallons.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
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Never have run mine clear out but I've filled it a couple of times at a shade over 36 gallons, that pretty much empty for a 37.5 gallon tank.
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Prolocutor
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Western MA
I've run both my 09 and current truck on 0 to empty for 25+ miles. They computer is WAY off to protect us stupid Americans. In all cases I've always had 2-4 gallons left in the tank.
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Prolocutor
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Western MA
Well, when you know it's off by around 1/5th, it's not much of a risk...
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: DFW, TX-GoldCanyon, AZ
In tank fuel pumps are typically cooled by the flow of fuel through them and around them. GM pumps are famous for failing when run below 1/4 tank. I've replaced a half dozen of them in my own trucks before we just adopted the 1/4 tank = Empty rule..
I would hope that there was still enough fuel left in the system that the high pressure fuel pump's internals were lubricated.. Also I would think that the ECU or other fuel management programming would be set to minimize the run time of the pump(s) without pressure in the system.
I would hope that there was still enough fuel left in the system that the high pressure fuel pump's internals were lubricated.. Also I would think that the ECU or other fuel management programming would be set to minimize the run time of the pump(s) without pressure in the system.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 6,801
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From: DFW, TX-GoldCanyon, AZ
Wishing you continued good luck.. If not so lucky, we'll stop and help you out on the side of the road...
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
It was at 0 MTE but I'm not sure how long because clearly I wasn't paying close enough attention. I got a "Low Fuel Pressure" warning, followed by "Reduced Engine Power" about 2 seconds before it died.
Filling up, it took 36.1 gallons total. So I don't see how Ford's 37.5 gallon claim can be true, unless they're counting unusable fuel in the tank.
Big-foot, not sure if you're aware, but our trucks don't have an in-tank fuel pump. The low pressure pump is in the DFCM.
Thanks all for the advice and recommendations!
Carl
Filling up, it took 36.1 gallons total. So I don't see how Ford's 37.5 gallon claim can be true, unless they're counting unusable fuel in the tank.
Big-foot, not sure if you're aware, but our trucks don't have an in-tank fuel pump. The low pressure pump is in the DFCM.
Thanks all for the advice and recommendations!
Carl