Any problems with running tank dry?
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Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 119
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From: Wilkeson, Washington
Any problems with running tank dry?
I have a little problem, I fill up the tanks and go, the front tank will read empty after 15 gallons being used, the rear reads empty after only 7-8 gallons. I'm sure these are 19 gallon tanks. When towing a long distance I was wondering can I just run her until she sputters and flip the switch? I don't want to be filling if I've only used half my fuel. It's a pain to attempt filling while towing a 32 foot travel trailer. Should I replace both sending units? HELP
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
It won't usually cause immediate damage, but it isn't a good thing to do. If you have any idea what your mileage is, just figure the max dfistance you can run before getting close to empty, then switch. I run 200 miles before I get close to empty, but every so often I get surprised and there's that quick surge to remind me, and do it FAST or you'll be sorry. The momentum usually will pump it in, but it's hard on the injection pump to be run dry like that, as well as the junk at the bottom of the tank can get sucked up easieer when run dry. You do better than I do, mine shows empty at 100 miles, if that long. I'm thinking of putting different senders in, from a different source than one of my year, can't afford new ones.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 113
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From: Boston, Ma
Something to keep in mind is that if you do run the lifter pump dry from not swithing over in time, it takes quite awhile for the thing to prime with diesel and if you arent thinking straight(Like your sitting at a signal light or theres traffic behind you), you forget toget out of the truck and prime the engine with a little diesel and you can ruin a pretty expensive starter pretty quickly.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,888
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From: Iowa
i agree not a good idea i have a 87 F350 with a 6.9 and dual tanks the other day one ran out while it was idleing and almost died before i got the tank switched, it ran like crap for about 1 minute then 2 blocks later i shut it off to go in a store and came out and it wouldnt start till i cranked on it for 30 seconds, to much air got in the lines i guess.
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