Rev Limiter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,254
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 759
Likes: 22
From: Slatington PA
What happens when you run on reserve? What is reserve?
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Nothing "special" about reserve. It's just when the fuel level gets to a certain point (maybe 2 galllons left?) it kicks on the reserve light.
Trouble is that the car accelerates fast enough that you can actually slosh the fuel away from the fuel pump intake. I've never heard of it causing fuel filter problems but the theory being that if you're running on reserve and sloshing it, you might be more prone to stirring up the trash and sludge that eventually accumulates at the bottom of the tank.
One thing that can be a problem is the fuel pump itself. The pump is an in tank design that is actually cooled by the fuel flowing through it and around it. If you get low enough that the pump starts sucking air it can shorten the life of the pump.
Trouble is that the car accelerates fast enough that you can actually slosh the fuel away from the fuel pump intake. I've never heard of it causing fuel filter problems but the theory being that if you're running on reserve and sloshing it, you might be more prone to stirring up the trash and sludge that eventually accumulates at the bottom of the tank.
One thing that can be a problem is the fuel pump itself. The pump is an in tank design that is actually cooled by the fuel flowing through it and around it. If you get low enough that the pump starts sucking air it can shorten the life of the pump.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
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From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
Reserve = you're walking or you have 2 gal left.
Depends on your fuel level sensor.
I don't pay attention to mine at all, its how many miles I've gone or at the track it 5 gal at lunch and 5 gal in the AM.
Depends on your fuel level sensor.
I don't pay attention to mine at all, its how many miles I've gone or at the track it 5 gal at lunch and 5 gal in the AM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The CF frowns on discussing or mentioning things like street racing or really excessive speeds on the street.Yes,, the LT1 and LT4 C4's had a built-in rev limiter that kicked in at around 5850 RPM. IIRC, it was a fuel cut-off done by the ECM.
As others said, keep a minimum of 1/4 tank of gas in there. Always running fuel levels really low will wither burn up the pump or cause the pump to suck up stuff on the bottom of the tank. That will clog the "sock" on the bottom of the pick-up and will also clog the fuel filter.
Chances are the filter has not been changed either at all or for some time. It would be well worth changing the filter and pulling the pump to replace the sock.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,062
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Try and keep some gas in the tank period, with any fuel injected car
That pump gets hot the only thing that keeps it cool is the fuel its submerged in. Run it low a lot and your pump will go south prematurely.
They are easy to change but who wants to pay for something if they can avoid it.
That pump gets hot the only thing that keeps it cool is the fuel its submerged in. Run it low a lot and your pump will go south prematurely.
They are easy to change but who wants to pay for something if they can avoid it.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
I'd say you're alright as you didn't give any details. Granted the car can easily exceed the speed limit of most highways in the country in 2nd gear..... maybe you were just playing on the interstate in 1st, yeah that's it.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,768
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From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
I like to keep mine full enough that if I do have some reason to punch it, it won't be an embarrassing experience.
I've never run out of gas but I've come DANG close. IE, my fuel pressure gauge was holding a not so steady 10 PSI as I limped up to the pump. Needless to say, I don't let it get that low anymore.
I've never run out of gas but I've come DANG close. IE, my fuel pressure gauge was holding a not so steady 10 PSI as I limped up to the pump. Needless to say, I don't let it get that low anymore.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 759
Likes: 22
From: Slatington PA
Yes, on the track. *cough*
The gauge went from 1/2 tank to 1/4 to reserve quicker than I expected.
When I filled up this morning I realized I was running on fumes. That would have sucked if I would have run out of gas.
The gauge went from 1/2 tank to 1/4 to reserve quicker than I expected.
When I filled up this morning I realized I was running on fumes. That would have sucked if I would have run out of gas.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 759
Likes: 22
From: Slatington PA
No, I didn't notice. I'm going to pay much closer attention to this tank of gas.
