So here is the story.

I was driving my '01 HD and was very low (past E) on gas. So I throttle it and the engine begins to cut out and start up again. It didn't turn off...but it would cut the throttle and give back throttle (even at light acceleration)

Is this normal for having low gas? - I always thought it would just cut out like my other cars I have drivin have.

Anyways...so I fill her up with about a 1/4 tank with the little cash I have on hand and start ignition again. Well, the gas ticker didn't really move. So I am like whatever...and start driving her - She no longer cuts the ignition but the hand is still on E. As I continue to drive her...it SLOWLY (VERY SLOWLY) begins to rise towards the 1/4 mark. I drove her for about 20 min since this started happening and the ticker reads 1/8 tank so far.

I know I may sound paranoid...but just wanted to make sure everything was O.K. - I always fill with 89 octane gas.

 

Have not encountered this problem...I always run 93+ octane and have never had a problem. I have noticed the gas gauge is not consistant...stays on full or 3/4 for long time them drops quickly once it gets past 1/2. May be the way it's mounted in the tank.

 

Did you shut off the ignition before fueling? The guage will not recognize the fuel level again until you do so or until you run it for a short time. It may also read erratically until an ign. off/on cycle is performed.

As for the stumble before refuel, the remaining gas may have sloshed away from the pick-up tube upon acceleration.

 

i was just gonna post that but FXDX posted it before me. Thats probably what it is...

 

The needle not raising up quickly is normal, esp. when putting very little gas in when it is already very low. Mines does it all the time when im extremely low on gas. Plus they say not to let your gas go that low, not good for it.


Jesse

 

I have also noticed the gauges inconsistancy. -- But lately I've been filling only to about 1/4 tank anyways, fuel = weight, a full tank weighs as much as 2 of my friends. On another note though, has anyone been able to get more than 200 miles off a full tank? I've triend many times, the most milage I got off a full tank was 180/.

 

darkroller, what year HD do you have?
ever figure out your mpg?

 

It's nothing to worry about. I noticed my would have that same problem when I would try and cram to much gas in the tank. (Road trip )

 

I'm getting around 15mpg...can go about 300-350 miles on a tank. Primarily highway commutes at 55-65mph and trying not to want to hear the blower whine!

 

I ALWAYS turn off ignition to fuel but it usually shoots up once I fill...Was the mis-throttle normal for having low gas? She was good to me today-so I am feeling more comfortable about everything

 

Only 200 miles on a tank? ACK! I am getting over 300 and still have go-go juice left. It's a 25 gallon tank and I prob' fill up always around 18-21 gallons as it normally costs around 28-32 bucks depending on gas prices. 91 or better octain too.

/tg

 

-- Harley#356,

to answer your question I own a 2002 # 4525 - My MPG all depends on how hard I decide to drive it. I do mostly city driving so somewhere around 5-9 MPG, 7.2 AVG. - I fill with 91 octane - it's been getting me pulled over like crazy./ A cop told me the other day that it was illegal to mash the gas and ease off when you get to the speed limit! Is this true? What fun is that? -- I deal with the outrageous car payment and expensive gasoline habit just to mash the gas and hear it growl. -- Maybe I should look into getting some kind of "fuel economy" chip? --

Casey./

 

Yeah, I think the owner's manual says the gauge will not register unless you put something like 7 gallons or more of gas in it. My wife's 02 Expy has this problem quite a bit especially if it is backed into my driveway (we're on a slope). The tank can be full and when you turn it back on the gauge will show empty. Ford says this is 'by design'. Kind of think it sucks myself.

I don't know why, but I was also always told( my father was a Ford service tech for 40 years) to not let vehicles with newer engines (fuel injected, electric fuel pumps, etc.) to run out of gas.

Besides, it's much cheaper to fill up with if you only let the gauge go to 1/2 tank instead of waiting until it's empty

 

yikes! 5mpg? you must have a lead foot

 

The main reason to not drive on EMPTY believe it or not is the following:

The gasoline in liquid form is actually what keeps the fuel pump from over-heating.

When you run low, the pump is not submerged in gas, it runs hotter and lowers the life expectancy. Not to mention that you start pulling crud through your fuel lines. This is why there is a fuel filter, running on EMPTY will just lead to you needing to replace your fuel filter and eventually your fuel pump sooner than if you don't run on EMPTY.

I actually run close to EMPTY all the time. I figure I'll drop in a high performance fuel pump when the stock one goes out. Less gas = less weightv= better acceleration = more mileage. I have not ran it all the way EMPTY nor experienced the problems you did.

I get about 15 in the city and over 16 on the highway, I have the Stacker 8.

On a side note, old cars had mechanical pumps hence you had to tap the gas pedal before cranking it, mechanical pumps are not prone to overheating nor to being in the tanks. Easier to replace and work on. But, more moving parts, break down more. Electical ones are smaller and more reliable but they do need gas in the tank to keep cool.

Hope this helps.