Running out of gas at 3/4 of a tank?

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Old Aug 18, 2009 | 02:22 PM
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dephtone's Avatar
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Default Running out of gas at 3/4 of a tank?

Hey everyone. A little back history on the situation. 91 Civic Hatch b16a swap.

This winter I replaced my factory fuel pump with a Xenocron 255lph fuel pump as I was running a boosted setup.

The car is NA for this year, however whenever my gas gauge says 3/4 of a tank, the car just dies out like it's out of gas. If I try and turn the key, fuel pump purges but sounds like the tank is empty, but I can only put 2 gallons of gas in it before it's full. So I know it's not out of gas.

So today coming home from work, I was at 62 miles and car died, fuel pump was purging everything, so I had someone bring me out some gas, filled it to the top where gas was coming out of the fill hole ~2.5 gallons, turned the car on, fuel pump purged but stil sounded like the tank was empty. Popped off the return line from the FPR turned the key, bone dry, so I got a tow, while going home, I bump started the car, started up and ran fine the rest of the way home.

Anyone have any idea? The pump as been in use for ~2 months, there are no dents in the bottom of the tank. Is it possible that something fell off from the assembly causing the pump not to pickup gas from anything lower than 3/4 tank still being full?

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: I plan on dropping the tank this weekend, just seeing if maybe there is something I should look for when I drop it, as this is the only 2nd time I'v dropped the tank.

Last edited by dephtone; Aug 18, 2009 at 02:54 PM.
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Old Aug 19, 2009 | 04:50 AM
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Default Re: Running out of gas at 3/4 of a tank?

bmp
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Old Aug 25, 2009 | 07:31 AM
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Default Re: Running out of gas at 3/4 of a tank?

...when was the last time you changed your fuel filter?
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Old Aug 25, 2009 | 07:42 AM
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Default Re: Running out of gas at 3/4 of a tank?

Well I figured if it were a fuel filter issue that the car would do it all the time.

This started right after I replaced the pump in the tank with a 255 lph. Last year ran fine with the stock pump.

However when I get stranded (have a gas can) when I open the tank there is no fuel pressure being released when removing the cap, I was thinking that maybe the little rubber line that goes from the pump to the sending unit had a hole in it, and when it got to that point, it couldn't create enough pressure to pull the fuel to the sending unit.
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Old Aug 25, 2009 | 07:52 AM
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Default Re: Running out of gas at 3/4 of a tank?

Your fuel system has both a fuel return line, and a vapor return.
CHeck that both ar eclear.
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Old Aug 25, 2009 | 08:06 AM
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JOE BD-0's Avatar
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Default Re: Running out of gas at 3/4 of a tank?

You might check that the sock filter that extends lower than the pump has not fallen off inside the tank. I never installed the xenocron pump I bought, didn't like it for some oddball reason. I went with another stock type fuel pump. Good Luck.....
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Old Aug 25, 2009 | 08:12 AM
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Default Re: Running out of gas at 3/4 of a tank?

^up
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Old Aug 25, 2009 | 08:36 AM
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Default Re: Running out of gas at 3/4 of a tank?

Maybe your tank is rusty? Just check your fuel filter first to see if the gas in it is dirty.
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Old Aug 25, 2009 | 08:46 AM
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Default Re: Running out of gas at 3/4 of a tank?

The gas looks clean coming out of the filter, have removed the nut to ensure I was getting gas through the filter.

I was thinking the sock as well, but the sock shouldn't really matter when the gas is obviously above the fuel pump still ~7 gallons still in the tank when I have to fill it up.

Up for more suggestions.
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Old Aug 25, 2009 | 10:28 AM
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Engage's Avatar
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Default Re: Running out of gas at 3/4 of a tank?

i have this same problem with my 1990 Si with stock D16A6. It started when I swapped in a Walbro fuel pump. I'd like to hear suggestions for him as well. You're not alone, hahaha.
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Old Aug 25, 2009 | 10:33 AM
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Default Re: Running out of gas at 3/4 of a tank?

I'v seen one other thread about this where a guy swapped in a walbro and xenocron fuel pump and he would get to 1/2 tank, I mean I know high flow pumps don't like below a 1/4 but nonetheless
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Old Aug 25, 2009 | 10:45 AM
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Default Re: Running out of gas at 3/4 of a tank?

Yeah. Mine started running out at a half tank. now it's at three quarters of a tank. I figured the pump may have shifted because the car has a rough ride or something.

Not trying to thread jack. I just need this info as well lol.
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Old Aug 25, 2009 | 10:55 AM
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Default Re: Running out of gas at 3/4 of a tank?

No no thread jack at all. I plan on dropping the tank this weekend to try and see whats up. Hopefully I will be able to solve the issue because it's frankly annoying lol.
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Old Apr 22, 2011 | 01:16 PM
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Default Re: Running out of gas at 3/4 of a tank?

i now this is like 5 years old but did you get to the bottom of the problem having the same problem
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Old Apr 25, 2011 | 12:39 PM
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Default Re: Running out of gas at 3/4 of a tank?

bump. anyone heard of this problem before with a new fuel pump. I did put a small dent in the tank with the jack but i dont think that would hurt anything. But then again maybe thats the problem. The weathers crap right now any ideas
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Old Apr 25, 2011 | 05:22 PM
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Default Re: Running out of gas at 3/4 of a tank?

I had this exact problem about a year ago, I changed the pump, filter and the sock trying to fix it. The problem turned out to be the tank itself. It had no external damage but the inside looked like it had barnacles growing in it, It kinda looked like the inside of the tank was made out of cheeto puffs now that I think about it. Anyways I bought a tank off of ebay for 50 bucks and it's ran like a champ ever since.
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Old Apr 25, 2011 | 05:34 PM
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Default Re: Running out of gas at 3/4 of a tank?

Originally Posted by diamondstarsforever
I had this exact problem about a year ago, I changed the pump, filter and the sock trying to fix it. The problem turned out to be the tank itself. It had no external damage but the inside looked like it had barnacles growing in it, It kinda looked like the inside of the tank was made out of cheeto puffs now that I think about it. Anyways I bought a tank off of ebay for 50 bucks and it's ran like a champ ever since.
That's ****ing disgusting. lol
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Old Apr 25, 2011 | 07:13 PM
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Default Re: Running out of gas at 3/4 of a tank?

My civic is doing that, I have to pump every 2 gallon, and it's my tank (it's bad). Rusted flakes, plug inlet on the pan, and i'm getting a new tank by Wed. 13.5 gallon tank 15g max
EG car
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Old Apr 26, 2011 | 05:12 AM
  #19  
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Default Re: Running out of gas at 3/4 of a tank?

My issue was that when I installed my new fuel pump, I didn't install the sock correctly, so when it got down to a certain level, it was just sucking air into the pump. I have since reinstalled the sock and it works like a charm.
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Old May 10, 2011 | 05:12 AM
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Default Re: Running out of gas at 3/4 of a tank?

I had this same problem with my pump and tried to correct it a few times. I would run out of gas at about 1/2 a tank. I've since went back to my stock pump, and all is good once again. I'm going to try installying the Xenocron pump again soon and hope that everything goes OK. Previously I had inspected the install of everything throughly, but couldn't find any issues. If I have any again, I will make sure to let everyone know my findings.
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Old May 10, 2011 | 06:05 AM
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Default Re: Running out of gas at 3/4 of a tank?

<---had dual whinebro HP 255'z in my 88 sedan,got tired of dropping tank so installed oem fp for pickup and a "zex" (whinebro) "booster" inline gss392? (IIRC part #),problem solved!!! Hard to get teh whinebroz low enuff,and in the stock position (alwayz acted out of gaz on cornerz below 1/4 tank-sucked!) Juzt muh solution...
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Old May 10, 2011 | 09:22 AM
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Default Re: Running out of gas at 3/4 of a tank?

well hey if i install my stock pump well it work, my cars turbo pushing 10psi with 450cc dsm injectors
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Old May 13, 2011 | 09:26 AM
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Default Re: Running out of gas at 3/4 of a tank?

Originally Posted by tim15401
well hey if i install my stock pump well it work, my cars turbo pushing 10psi with 450cc dsm injectors
Stock pump + linez good for alot more hp than folk realize,but hard to say from "muh turbo pushing 10psi" lol. Most likely run out of injector before fuel pressure unless huge turbo cfm (like holsets I run lately,etc...) I recommend the " booster" inline,retaining stk pump as "pickup" (and no "out of gas on cornerz,lol) Do it!

(Oh,and several OEM inlines in JYz that push high pressure/high gph also btw,hint late model ford trucks,etc...)
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Old May 16, 2011 | 04:45 AM
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Default Re: Running out of gas at 3/4 of a tank?

OK. I installed my Xenocron pump again this weekend, and.....ran out of gas this morning at half a tank. I will be calling them to see if they have any ideas today, but if anyone else has had this issue please chime in!
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Old May 17, 2011 | 05:19 AM
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Default Re: Running out of gas at 3/4 of a tank?

Its all about how the SOCK is installed/positioned. You have to make sure there is a GOOD, tight seal around where the sock secures to the pump.

If its loose at all, air WILL get in around that sock and cause low or no fuel pressure.
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