Troubleshooting strange problem, please read and vote.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Troubleshooting strange problem, please read and vote.
You can read my post on "Why doesn't my car like reverse" to see where this came from, but here's the question.
When I am low on gas, like 3 bars or the dreaded reserve light is on, if I hammer it the car will jump forward like normal but the bog because I sloshed the gas away from teh pickup. The bog in turn allows the gas to get back to the pickup and the car will go again, however if my foot is still on the floor it will slosh it again. However if I just ease the throttle when I'm low on gas, I don't have any trouble at all.
When I am low on gas, like 3 bars or the dreaded reserve light is on, if I hammer it the car will jump forward like normal but the bog because I sloshed the gas away from teh pickup. The bog in turn allows the gas to get back to the pickup and the car will go again, however if my foot is still on the floor it will slosh it again. However if I just ease the throttle when I'm low on gas, I don't have any trouble at all.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 4,623
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Re: Troubleshooting strange problem, please read and vote. (Nathan Plemons)
If it's only happening when you hit "three bars", you have an unusually excellent fuel pickup situation. All the guys that run on road courses experience fuel pickup problems when their fuel is "low". Depending on the corner, this can range from just below a half tank, to just above 3/4 empty.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,204
Likes: 6
From: St Marys PA
Re: Troubleshooting strange problem, please read and vote. (Nathan Plemons)
Yes,
This is perfectly normal. I believe there was a post about 6 months ago discussing this. It seems to be quite normal. I have an l98 that does the same thing when low on gas. It also runs out of gas shortly after the reserve light comes on. I keep it at a 1/4 tank minimum. The first time it did the bog my father was driving it for the first time after I bought it and I about had heart failure thinking something was wrong with it :eek:. I have also had it happen when taking very sharp turns at higher speeds. I almost feel that there is some kind of sensor in there that keeps you from being at WOT. It seems to me that it would take longer for the fuels lines to empty out than it does....Oh I just thought about that while writing. I guess if it does runout in the tank there is no fuel being picked up to keep the pressure in the line and therefor it would bog out on ya. Therefore no sensors involved. Guess I was sorting this out as I write. But nevertheless I think it is something that is common and has no real merit of concern other than keep your tank level up. Later.
:cheers:
This is perfectly normal. I believe there was a post about 6 months ago discussing this. It seems to be quite normal. I have an l98 that does the same thing when low on gas. It also runs out of gas shortly after the reserve light comes on. I keep it at a 1/4 tank minimum. The first time it did the bog my father was driving it for the first time after I bought it and I about had heart failure thinking something was wrong with it :eek:. I have also had it happen when taking very sharp turns at higher speeds. I almost feel that there is some kind of sensor in there that keeps you from being at WOT. It seems to me that it would take longer for the fuels lines to empty out than it does....Oh I just thought about that while writing. I guess if it does runout in the tank there is no fuel being picked up to keep the pressure in the line and therefor it would bog out on ya. Therefore no sensors involved. Guess I was sorting this out as I write. But nevertheless I think it is something that is common and has no real merit of concern other than keep your tank level up. Later.
:cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 3,588
Likes: 1
From: Volcano, HI
Re: Troubleshooting strange problem, please read and vote. (Nathan Plemons)
I found that the bog went away after I opened up the gas tank and replaced the missing fuel sock from the end of the fuel pump.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: Troubleshooting strange problem, please read and vote. (Mojo)
technically, its called "cavitation". The solution, add gas.
The problem? the historically crappy fuel senders...
you may also have a dieing fuel pump...
The problem? the historically crappy fuel senders...
you may also have a dieing fuel pump...
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
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Re: Troubleshooting strange problem, please read and vote. (bogus)
I think the fuel pump is pretty healthy. I don't think it was a problem, I am just trying to troubleshoot another strange problem and somebody mentioned that this might be related. I always thought it was perfectly normal so I never worried about it. I thought I would ask anyway to be safe.
I like that "solution, add gas" That's what I've always done and it always works ;)
I like that "solution, add gas" That's what I've always done and it always works ;)
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 231
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Re: Troubleshooting strange problem, please read and vote. (bogus)
This happens with every car I ever owned. My old Vette, my current Impala SS, my old Honda Accord, my old Monte Carlo(ran 13's), all the same. I race my Impala SS with a full tank of gas. It might be more weight, but it's over the most needed part of my car for traction(60' times out weigh the addition of a little extra weight to my 4400 pound car), and I don't worry about the car bogging down. I hate when i'm low on gas( I try to keep at least 1/2 in car at all times) and some yahoo pulls up next to me at a light. I know if I stomp it i'll bog down and look stupid. Running your tank low also gives you a chance to pick up any junk that might be in your tank. Just try and keep it as full as possible most of the time to fix this problem, the weight won't make your car run any slower than it would if you had another person in the car. :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 994
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From: Jamison PA
Re: Troubleshooting strange problem, please read and vote. (Nathan Plemons)
Perfectly normal. I asked my dealer's mech. about this and his reply was that the pickup tube is being uncovered. Had this happen once when I was drag racing or trying to. I think I turned in the 16's. :D
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Pro
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Scranton PA
Re: Troubleshooting strange problem, please read and vote. (Nathan Plemons)
Perfectly normal... had the same thing happen to me earlier this year and posted it, difference being my vette was on 2 bars and stalled comletely... Went right to a gas station and never had it happen again for now I keep at least a half tank at all times..
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Troubleshooting strange problem, please read and vote. (Nathan Plemons)
I had to install a new AC Delco fuel pump before I started drag racing and I've never had a problem. I try to launch with 1/4-1/3 tank and sometimes it drops below 1/4 mark (yes even seen the "add fuel" come on).
I suggest you run with more fuel since your FP is having problems to avoid cavitation and a shorter FP life. On the street I try to run around 1/2 tank as a compromize between FP life and performance.
Do the spare tire delete option. It will drop about 50lbs and allow you to run 8gal more fuel with the same performance.
I suggest you run with more fuel since your FP is having problems to avoid cavitation and a shorter FP life. On the street I try to run around 1/2 tank as a compromize between FP life and performance.
Do the spare tire delete option. It will drop about 50lbs and allow you to run 8gal more fuel with the same performance.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 557
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From: Taxahoma
Re: Troubleshooting strange problem, please read and vote. (65Z01)
I got down so low that the gage said I could only go 15 more miles and it didn't do that. I usually don't let it go that low, very bad on fuel pumps to suck air they will burn up very fast doing that. My wifes 91 caddy did that but the vette never has.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 525
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From: Newport MI
Re: Troubleshooting strange problem, please read and vote. (Nathan Plemons)
have never experienced it in my Vette down to 1 bar....in my F150 (dual tanks) have seen this right before a tank is completely empty. Or maybe I just don't hammer it for as long as you do... gets up over 100 pretty quick so I don't stay on the hammer much past that.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Sachse Texas
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Troubleshooting strange problem, please read and vote. (Shark ssn591)
The problem is in the baffles in the tank are terrible. Mine has done it at road course events at just under a half a tank on the guage. Very frustrating when you are in the middle of a 20 minute session and you have to quit and go find a gas station near-by. I always drag race with more than a 1/2 tank (usually I fill it up completely) and you don't usually experience it until you reach about 1/8-1/4 tank.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,516
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From: Lockport NY
Re: Troubleshooting strange problem, please read and vote. (Nathan Plemons)
Reading some of these posts here reminded me of a similar problem I had with my old Dodge Ramcharger...I had just filled up with gas at a poopie gas station, and a mile later it started sputtering, backfiring, wouldn't do more than 35mph...I stopped at the next mini-mart and got a can of "White Gas" and dumped it in...A mile later, it cleared up and ran fine...
...Water in the gas...
You may have water in your tank, too. Toss a can of Isopropyl Alcohol in (not fuel injector cleaner), see if it gets any better.
...Water in the gas...
You may have water in your tank, too. Toss a can of Isopropyl Alcohol in (not fuel injector cleaner), see if it gets any better.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,767
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From: Jacksonville Fl
Re: Troubleshooting strange problem, please read and vote. (Nathan Plemons)
My 87 doesn't miss a beat until dead no bars showing.
My 79 used to loose fuel at anything less than 1/8 tank, then I replaced the fuel pickup tube sock, problem cured.
Sounds like you need a new fuel pickup sock.
My 79 used to loose fuel at anything less than 1/8 tank, then I replaced the fuel pickup tube sock, problem cured.
Sounds like you need a new fuel pickup sock.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,620
Likes: 2
From: Hillsboro OR
Re: Troubleshooting strange problem, please read and vote. (Nathan Plemons)
I had a similar problem that was combined with hesitation when advancing the throttle to lightly ot moderately accelerate. I changed the TPS and both went away.