How big is my tank?

Hey all,

Just wondering how big my gas tank is on my 1997 PA. When I fill up I can barely get 14 gallons in. I would have thought that my tank was bigger.

Thanks,

DH

Should be 18 gallons

My 99 is 18.5 gallons. I thought it was 18, then put slightly more than that in there, thought I must have been running on fumes, checked the manual, and found it to be 18.5. I had a 93 once upon a time, I believe it was bigger than that, but I don't recall for certain.

18 is good enough for govt work heh

If you are pumping more than 15 gals on a fill you are running your tank too low IMHO.

18 is good enough for govt work heh

If you are pumping more than 15 gals on a fill you are running your tank too low IMHO.

Yes.. I agree, running the tank that low is just asking for the fuel pump to check out:smile:

Why is that, is it engineered that poorly ?

Why is that, is it engineered that poorly ?

This is for several reasons... The Sending unit and pump design has changed a bit but still does the same job in the same manner..

Problem is if there is any junk in the tank and you run it low enough you can actually suck up all of the dirt and clog up the filter sock at the bottom of the pump assembly.. If you do that it can get starved for fuel..

The Fuel pump uses the fuel in the tank as both its coolant and lubricant.. Run the tank low all of the time and the fuel in the tank will get pretty warm, this does not help the pump in terms of long life... Run the tank out of fuel and the pump can and will run dry... This will damage or destroy the internals of the pump..

I tell everyone to keep the tank 1/4 or above at all given times.. I have seen too many people kill pumps by running low and or running out of fuel..

1995 Transport 174,000 on the van before I put a pump in it..

1995 Bonneville 145,000 On the Bonneville, It didn't fail but was not producing the Service manual spec pressure so I tore the tank out and replaced the pump..

1991 Bonneville 250,000 still on the original( I have no idea how, Its not driven anymore )

1991 Bonneville, 146,000 Original as well and to factory spec..

On all of these I always refueled before I ever got to 1/4 of a tank..

To continually run a tank low on fuel is hard on the pump, I simply recommend its kept above 1/4 to extend the life of the fuel pump and keep it happy..:smile:

148k on my original fuel pump. I try not to run it low either. It is also good to change the fuel filter often. I do mine every year.