I have heard from several reliable sources that in newer vehicles if the fuel level drops below 1/4 of a tank repeatedly, you can damage your fuel pump. Something to do with cooling it. Has anyone heard of this?

 

While it is true that "in-tank" electric pumps do use the fuel for cooling, I've never heard of the 1/4 tank minimum. Sounds a bit over-precautious to me.

Neal

 

My friend just had this happen in his motor home. It was frustrating to diagnos because it ran fine with more fuel in the tank. Even with only a little bit of fuel in the tank, once the pump cooled down, it worked for a while. I don't know that running the tank low caused the problem, but his motor home has a relatively small tank and he'd just done a cross country trip where he was stretching each tank out to the max. I would think that any fuel pump will wear out eventually.

 

jonboy,
You can run your fuel pump below a 1/4 of a tank in your F-150 and not worry..I did it all of the time in my 98 F-150 without a single problem. Be very careful NOT to run it empty...because this can easily ruin your pump or clog your filter. In fact, you have to go below a 1/4 of a tank before the low fuel light will come on.

Some other newer vehicles just might have this restriction. There are no published restrictions for the F-150s to date about this that I have found.
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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II

 

Ever notice even on "E" and low fuel light on that there is still about 3-5 gallons left?? Now you know why.