Engine dies at 1/4 tank!

[stealth17]

I have an 89 Daytona Shelby 2.5L TI which I just got going again after it sat 10 years. It has a new fuel pump and sending unit but the thing runs out of gas at 1/4 tank. You can tell when it's getting low because it starts sputtering. It died on me and I had to have someone bring me some gas one day

But the most fuel I can fit is 11 gallons. It's a 14 gallon tank (right?) so doesn't that mean that it's not actually running out, it's just not pumping it all out?

I've installed a new fuel filter as well. The old filter was so clogged full of shit I couldn't hardly blow through it.

Thanks,
Jordan

[bill2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stealth17 I have an 89 Daytona Shelby 2.5L TI which I just got going again after it sat 10 years.

Your going to need to remove the tank and if possible have a radiator shop clean it, or better yet just replace it. I had a sililar problem with a sc i picked up that sat for 7+ years, it had sediment in the tank that would kick up after running for a few minutes, then clog the sock on the fuel pump. If i remember correctly fwd performance has new tanks for 140$ + shipping.

[juxsa]

clean it if you can. After they clean have them coat the inside of the tank.

[stealth17]

Is it hard to drop the tank on these without a lift? Or is it possible might be a better question....

[DirectConnection]

I did it on a shadow once. Just 2 bolts at the rear of the tank (facing the rear bumper that is) and the straps hook up in the front. I was going to pull the one in my car this weekend, but decided not to. Fuel sloshed around a bit when low...more than it used to and starved the pump one time on a race doing a 2nd gear roll. Some said it may be the baffle... but anyways. Oh yes, remove the filler tube at the fuel dorr and one vent tube ontop of the tank that goes to the purge.

[stealth17]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirectConnection I did it on a shadow once. Just 2 bolts at the rear of the tank (facing the rear bumper that is) and the straps hook up in the front. I was going to pull the one in my car this weekend, but decided not to. Fuel sloshed around a bit when low...more than it used to and starved the pump one time on a race doing a 2nd gear roll. Some said it may be the baffle... but anyways. Oh yes, remove the filler tube at the fuel dorr and one vent tube ontop of the tank that goes to the purge.

Nice. I may have a go at it next weekend. I got the oil changed this weekend and threw in some of that RESTORE. Supposed to work wonders I've read.

Running some Mobil 1 full synthetic now as well :banaride:

Thanks,
Jordan

[iTurbo]

I had a helluva time last year with the same problem on my Shelby Lancer. It would always die out at 1/4 tank and I could only fit about 11 gallons in when it started sputtering out. I had installed a new aftermarket fuel tank and was convinced it was because of the slosh bowl design wasn't keeping the pickup covered with fuel as well as the OEM tank. Then after tearing it apart, I discovered that I hadn't installed the pump down into the sending unit enough and the pump inlet wasn't connecting to the pickup sock thingy which snaps on with an o-ring seal. So when the gas ran low, the pump would suck in air, bypassing the pickup sock. Hope this helps.

Also make sure the pump assembly is 'clocked' correctly so the pickup screen maxi-pad looking thing rests flat on the bottom. If you get an aftermarket tank, you might also have to sligtly bend the fuel level indicator arm so that it doesn't get hung up on the edges of the slosh bowl like mine did.

[stealth17]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iTurbo I had a helluva time last year with the same problem on my Shelby Lancer. It would always die out at 1/4 tank and I could only fit about 11 gallons in when it started sputtering out. I had installed a new aftermarket fuel tank and was convinced it was because of the slosh bowl design wasn't keeping the pickup covered with fuel as well as the OEM tank. Then after tearing it apart, I discovered that I hadn't installed the pump down into the sending unit enough and the pump inlet wasn't connecting to the pickup sock thingy which snaps on with an o-ring seal. So when the gas ran low, the pump would suck in air, bypassing the pickup sock. Hope this helps. Also make sure the pump assembly is 'clocked' correctly so the pickup screen maxi-pad looking thing rests flat on the bottom. If you get an aftermarket tank, you might also have to sligtly bend the fuel level indicator arm so that it doesn't get hung up on the edges of the slosh bowl like mine did.

Very good info. I will keep this in mind when I drop the tank.

Thanks!