fdouglasa

After running completely out of gas, I filled the tank with about six gallons, but the car wouldn't start. It started momentarily if I put fuel in the carb (actually it's fuel injection) but I know I was burning only that amount. I changed the fuel filter, and except the whitish exhaust for five minutes, it performed well for 20 minutes/miles. I thought it was fine.

I didn't drive it until two days later, same problem, so I towed it to mechanic who expectedly wants $650 for fuel pump and labor.

I still think it could be clogged lines from matter in the tank's bottom, requiring me to put in another new fuel pump. Wouldn't the car have stalled, driving that 20 miles if the pump was shot? (the mechanics couldn't answer why I was able to drive it after the initial fuel filter replacement)

Help or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

jroxx

Sometimes when a pump goes bad it will work and then not work and then work again till it finally quits all together. Have someone lay under the jeep with a big rubber hammer and have them beat on the tank while you are cranking the engine. If it starts then the pump is bad .....Pumps will go bad if someone always runs the vehicle low on fuel because when you turn and the gas goes away from the pump it runs dry and that will kill a pump quicker then hell. How about replacing the fuel pump relay ? That could also be bad or working on and off. Before you ran out of gas did it always start RIGHT up or did it crank a while ? The pump could have been going bad but you did not notice it. Please let me know how you make out. If the mechanic wants 650.00 to replace it then he is going to either replace the entire unit along with the fuel tank sending unit or he is giving you one..... The pump it self is about 60.00 the whole unit is about 500.00 Labor should be no more then 2 hours. Believe me I know.....

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John J Narducci

fdouglasa

I always did run it on close to an empty tank, but it consistently started quickly. WILL definitely try the rubber hammer suggestion, and you're right, they plan to replace the Tank Unit Assembly ($225 part + $75x3hour labor).
Your thoughts are WAY appreciated, and more of them are, of course, welcome.

FDA