How Much Gasoline Can I Use?

[RetroGeorge]

Hey Folks. I wanted to see if I could make it from Rogers to Allen on a tank of gas. About 50 miles from home, my warning light came on. I drove to within about 20 miles of home, and chickened out. When I filled it, it only took 16.069 gallons. So, I guess what I need from you is any figures you have BIGGER than 16.069 before you ran out of gas. In other words, of the 18 gallon tank, how much of the 18 gallons is useable?

I wish I knew this up front, as I bought gas at Bob Newhart's "Grace L. Ferguson Storm Door & Airline Company" gas station.

Thanks in advance, GAB

[steelblue5505]

Re: How Much Gasoline Can I Use?

I don't know the answer to your question but IMHO you are a lucky person. You could have been walking.

Since the fuel pump and the secondary fuel pump are located inside the fuel tank submersed in the fuel to keep them cool while operating, taking the fuel level down enough to trigger the fuel empty warning light can cause the fuel pumps to get too hot and eventually fail.

Again IMHO whatever gas costs per gallon a quarter tank fill to get further on to possibly a less expensive gas per gallon is well worth the stop than to burn up a fuel pump.

[Gobird]

Re: How Much Gasoline Can I Use?

What Mike said. Bad idea.

[RetroGeorge]

Re: How Much Gasoline Can I Use?

Thanks, Guys. I will heed your warning. I have always filled up at the 1/4-tank level, and will continue to do so. I did not know about the fuel pumps in the tank. GAB

[HKS]

Re: How Much Gasoline Can I Use?

Thanks, Guys. I will heed your warning. I have always filled up at the 1/4-tank level, and will continue to do so. I did not know about the fuel pumps in the tank. GAB

Porthole Authority fills her 2002 TBird tank at 1/4 full which is 1/2 level in the passenger side tank (where the electric fuel pump resides). The drivers side tank could be empty and that transfer pump has no moving parts.
When you get close to 1/4 tank reading, fill her up.

HKS

[HKS]

Re: How Much Gasoline Can I Use?

After recently learning about in-tank fuel pumps, I can say that going lower than 1/4 tank will not change fuel pump cooling in the wintertime.
The fuel does not do much for cooling the plastic housing in which the pump is located.
The fuel actually goes thought the electric pump motor interior, cooling the armature. It is hard to comprehend that an electric motor has internal parts immersed in gasoline. There are brushes that could make sparks but they are isolated from the gasoline, we hope. I guess fuel needs to be vaporized before it explodes.
So, in the wintertime going lower than 1/4 is not detrimental to pump longevity.
Doing this in July/August and driving on I70 in Utah is not good. The fuel in the tank will be hot due to +140 degree radiation from the pavement. A full tank will take longer to heat up from the pavement. If the fuel tank has a heat shield, that would be good.
HKS

[HKS]

Re: How Much Gasoline Can I Use?

See updated post #6

Showing gasoline flow inside the guts of the electric fuel pump.

HKS

[Sierra977]

Re: How Much Gasoline Can I Use?

You guys take all the romance out of driving...

[HKS]

Re: How Much Gasoline Can I Use?

You guys take all the romance out of driving...

Yes,
If you are running on vapors the whole shebang could blow up, including the passenger and driver.

Enjoy

HKS

[007Cruiser]

Re: How Much Gasoline Can I Use?

Yes,
If you are running on vapors the whole shebang could blow up, including the passenger and driver.
Enjoy
HKS

That would certainly solve the problem.

[HKS]

Re: How Much Gasoline Can I Use?

Gene,
I take it back. Since there are only vapors, an explosion might only send the spare tire, trunk mat and trunk rack flying. Oh, and the 60psi tire might add to the conflagration.

Occupants would not be fleeing on fire like in the movies.

OK I will stop now.
Gene, you can have the last word.

HKS

[Rondor]

Re: How Much Gasoline Can I Use?

To me the biggest risk would be years of sediment in bottom of the tank that would wreak havoc on many things. To have a fire you need oxygen as well as fuel. As for the pump creating a spark,,, I don't know the technology, but I have used submersible pumps and wet dry shavers for years.

[HKS]

Re: How Much Gasoline Can I Use?

Everything after post #8 is for entertainment.

Yes you need oxygen, which may be present when the tank is empty and the gas cap is defective.

HKS

[Rondor]

Re: How Much Gasoline Can I Use?

You could also get hit by a meteorite.