1063 reasons not to run out of gas!

[Kevin M]

Remember when I ran the T/A dry the other day? Yeah, don't do that. Burned out the fuel pump and it's amazingly hard to get to. So $1,063 later (including the tow), the T/A should be ready just in time for the 4th. No steak for me, I'll be eating Costco hamburgers this year.

So, thanks for all your guys advice. Turns out many on this board and others were right, the fuel pump burned out when it didn't have the gas going through it to cool it off. While they're in there, they're going to replace the filter too. Cha ching $$$.

[MN6WS6]

$1000!!! Somebody needs to make a "Highway Robbery" song. Granted, it's no easy task, but still not impossible even with simple tools and some tall jack stands. I would never pay anybody $1000 to do anything to my car unless the bill said "pull motor, rebuild as a 383 stroker full forged, reinstall motor". Ouch!

[88Cam]

yeah

I'll have to agree with mn6
thats crazy $1000 I try to do everything to my car my self (mainly cause I have no job and nothing to do at this moment but thats beyond the point) I spent 470 redueing my clutch system:
clutch pad, clutch slave (2 on accident didn't know master cylinder came with a clutch slave), master cylinder, new rear shocks, surfacing flywheel,and a new throw out bearing, and a boot for inbetween the clutch slave and the throw out bearing. I did it all my self and it works fine minus me now oweing my dad $470 but it would have cost twice as much as that if I got someone else to do it. BUT!!! I believe u have to drop your gas tank to get to the fuel pump which is alittle hard if you don't have the equipment and the time I bet.

[Mixedpuppy]

Bummer dude

I replied about the fuel pump before mainly because the same thing happened to me once when I 1st got my T/A in 1999 while traveling in it. Fortunately the vehicle was still under warranty so I had the fuel pump replaced for free. Sorry about your luck man.

[Joe K. 99 Zeee!!]

I know I'm not perfect, it's happened to me once or twice...you know when your mind is really wrapped up on somethign else or you're stressed out.

Best recomendation I have is to get a AAA membership! I pay $80/year for the deluxo deal....they'll pay to get your car opened when the keys are locked in, have someone come out and put a gallon or 2 in your tank if you've run out, or tow me up to 400 miles to the repair shop of my choice. Not to mention other discounts and travel info. Heck, I have a AAA credit card that saves me 5% on all my gas purchases too.

Anyway, don't mean to turn this into an advertisement, but if you have a back up you won't worry about burning out your pump to get to that station a mile or 2 away. Just pull over to someplace safe and shut it down and you'll be fine.

[01Y87]

How Low?

How low do you have to be to burn the fuel pump? isnt it true that as long as the motor will get fuel to run there is liquid going thru the pump?

I have run mine on the "check gauges" light which comes on when fuel is low i wonder if i am doing damage?
bruce

[Christopherrr]

holy crap...you're in the same boat as me...sorta

that's way too steep dude...when my GTA had to get a new pump (pump is inside the tank)...it was 800 with two new tires. 680 if I'm not wrong. You should look else where broh...

It's not hard to do...if you don't mind smelling like gas for a few days, you should be able to do it yourself for the better part of the day. After looking at what the guy did (horrible job I might add)...I could have done it myself.

But, if you are in need for someone to do it for ya, 1 grand is too much...I'm facing the same problem with my TA (being charged too much)...read my threads. I told them not to touch my car and want to see everything in detail..not to mention periodic check up while she's in service.

[Christopherrr]

Re: How Low?

Originally posted by 01Y87
How low do you have to be to burn the fuel pump? isnt it true that as long as the motor will get fuel to run there is liquid going thru the pump?

I have run mine on the "check gauges" light which comes on when fuel is low i wonder if i am doing damage?
bruce

No damage if you get to the "Check Gauges" light...you still have 1.5-2 gallons left. But if you ran it dry...that's damage. The only problem that you might have from running so low (I do it sometimes) is that you might pick up some debris from the bottom of the tank...but seeing that your car is a 01', I don't think you'll have a problem like that...you also have a strainer and filter to stop that though.

[TimeLord]

WOW !!! That is expensive,,,,,,

I learned long ago that the fuel needle on our cars is not linear,you have a full tank for 200 miles,half a tank for 50 miles,then it's empty.

Have gotten into the habit of treating my 1/4 line as the Empty line.

Haven't had any problems since.

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

Originally posted by TimeLord
WOW !!! That is expensive,,,,,,

Have gotten into the habit of treating my 1/4 line as the Empty line.

Absolutely! after 1/4, you can actually watch it move.

[01Y87]

hehe.. I learned very early just how long i can go. I was driving home from a long trip and i was in a remote part of Texas (nnothin' but Angus beef as far as i can see LOL) and running low - honestly i was afraid i'd be walking soon. and the car had 7,000 miles on it then. Well, the light came on and i ended up driving it about 14 miles more to the station.

so from then on I use that as my gauge - i would not intentionally go past 14 miles again. But I have done 5 - 10 on a couple occasions.

bruce

[Aaron4TAMU]

hehe.. I learned very early just how long i can go. I was driving home from a long trip and i was in a remote part of Texas (nnothin' but Angus beef as far as i can see LOL) and running low - honestly i was afraid i'd be walking soon.

Hah! I did the same thing on my way up to New Orleans about a month ago. I was on the Baskin bridge (like 10 miles if not more) and this was before I was use to the gas gauge. I was fine until it hit the 1/4 tank mark, then I noticed it dipping down really fast. I didn't think I was going to make it, but I lucked out.

Aaron