Plum empty......Fill'er up!.......What the hey?

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I'm running just my stock fuel tank with the long bed. 35 gallons, supposedly. I've ran it down to dang near empty a few times. Once I ran it until the trip computer read, "0 miles," on the DTE screen. Last night I ran it until it read, "11 miles," on the DTE screen.

I'm getting about 18 mpg (city/hwy combined). That means when I fill it up I should be able to put over 34 gallons of fuel in it. But in all my fill-ups, I don't think I've ever even put over 32. 5 gallons in it. Last night with just 11 miles left on the DTE screen, I put about 31. 4 gallons in it. I need to mention that I always fill it up to the top of the neck (sometimes I wait a while, check other things, and go back and find the fuel level has dropped and put more in, again to the top of the neck).

What's the deal? Does anybody else's do this? I can't make up my mind if there's more fuel in the tank than what the computer is indicating OR is there an odd shape to the fuel tank that would not allow you to get it totally full? My guess is there's more fuel there than the computer is indicating, but I don't want to chance it because of the scare of pulling air into the fuel lines and not being able to get it re-fired without having to have it manually primed.

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Y2K 2500 Cummins ETC/DEE, SLT+, 4X4, Quad, LB, Intense Blue Sport, 3. 54 anti-spin, rear aux. springs (camper special), sliding rear window, all options except cab clearance lights including agate leather, totally stock, some ring fell off, whistles louder since & D/C must have screwed up on the wiring cause the fogs stay on with high beam. Since everybody else listed their toys, I will too.
1995 Kawasaki ZX6-R (For Sale)
1990 Toyota Celica
1983 Mazda RX-7 GSL (For sale)

[This message has been edited by JyRO (edited 11-30-2000). ]

 

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There's more fuel in the tank. The computer does not know when it's empty. That is if the factory didn't forget to remove the red vent line cap from the fuel tank. My wife has run her Durango -35 miles DTE on her computer. My truck doesn't have one though.

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99 2500 QC, LWB, 5spd, 3. 54 limited slip, Intense Blue, 275HP Injectors
Tow Lite trailer
96 KTM 360 EXC
99 Durango 4x4 360cid

 

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The computer is not reliable for fuel mileage or DTE. When my low fuel light comes on the tank will hold 28 gallons. My computer shows 18 to 21 gallons per mile empty but the old pencil and paper show about 17. The only thing the computer shows that is accurate is the distance traveled and the elapsed time. It is a novelty and should be treated as such.

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White 99 3500, QC, 3:55, auto. most options except leather, Line-X bed liner, fiberglass running boards Rancho 9000s, bug shield and window vents, black vented 5th wheel tailgate, 100 gal. aux. fuel tank.

 

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There's a federal (?) regulation requiring atleast a 10% (or so) margin for error after it reads empty. But usually the gauges are setup to read empty when there's approx 5 gallons left in the tank.

I have a 36 gallon tank -- most I've ever put in it is 35. 5 (!). I was praying.

Usually I fill it when it says empty and it takes 30 gallons. When the warning light comes on there's five gallons left.

This is my truck; every one is slightly different.


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Big MAK
98. 5 ISB 5spd 4x4 Quad Cab 3500, 275s and Original PowerMax
A "WARRANTY FREE" ZONE
https://www.turbodieseltrucks.com

 

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very seldom does mine go below 1/2 tank. I have ran it a couple time until the check fuel light comes on and there is still 7 gallons in the tank (I think that is in the owners manual somewhere)

I wonder if I have never had sending unit problems because I never let the tank get very low? (knock, knock, knock on wood)

 

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Ah yes, the game boy.

I use the trip meter in the dash for fuel range.
I use the trip meter and chronometer in the game boy for my oil change intervals.
I use the instant economy feature of the gameboy and my EGT gauge to monitor my driving, ie to help me keep my fat right foot in check.
I use the DTE feature to make my spouse nervous. #ad


Mad Max

Ps. When my idiot light comes on, there are nine gallons left in my tank. I have a SWB QC w/ 34gallon tank fwiw.

 

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What's a Computer #ad
- Mine was ordered without so I can't get nervous. Also use the Trip Odometer as a fuel guage cuz I don't trust the infamous sending unit. I usually hit 500 miles and put 28-30 gallons in the tank. If towing, 400 miles is plenty to start looking for fuel/potty stop.

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'99, 2500, QC, SLT, LWB, 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 3. 5xlsd, tow pac, HD tcase, tow mirrors, camper pac.

Alias: Martin Allen Bursell (posted per guidlines)

 

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This probably constitutes "telling a story" on myself.
The other day, I was in a gambling mood. The fuel light came on at about 77 DTE, just like it always does. Knowing I still had well over 100 miles to go before I would reach the Flying J, I slowed to 55 mph. The DTE went to 0. Onward I drove. 50. 6 miles AFTER the 0 DTE, I pulled in to the Flying J and put 35. 1 gallons in. Once before I went to 40 miles past 0 DTE. My conclusions:
1) At 0 DTE, I have about 2 gallons left.
2) Yes, the tank really is 35 gallons.
3) Been there, done that, it was fun, but I won't be doing this again.
4) Anyone who thinks they can go 50 miles past 0 DTE just because someone else did is an even bigger gambler than me. #ad



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2001 ETH, QC, LWB, 4WD, 3. 54, SPA Pyro & Boost, K&N RE-880 w/foam pre-cleaner, ARE Z-series Cab-high shell, Rear ARB locker, and all kinds of synthetic fluids...

 

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Just a thought. Remember that Diesel fuel can contain alot of water and foreign material in it. Running your tank to the bottom sets you up for possiable fuel system problems. Also you don't want to starve either your inj. pump or the transfer pump as they are cooled and lubricated by the fuel.

 

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Just a thought. Remember that Diesel fuel can contain alot of water and foreign material in it. Running your tank to the bottom sets you up.....

Points well taken, Chris! But if Papa Joe can admit how long he went without changing the fuel filter, I figured I could 'fess up and tell my story too. See my point #3 - this is not something I intend to make a habit of!

 

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I'm with BV. The trip mileage is the best guage.

Mostly city driving, from neck full approx 16. 5 mpg to a shade on the good side of E about 31gals, at which I've gone about 490 - 525 miles.

When out on the highway at about 600 miles I start looking for fuel.

On a few occasions I've brought it down to the bad side of E never put more than 33 gals in. I run conditioner in the tank for 80% of my fillups. Since the fuel filter is so easy to change I change it @ 8k, knock on wood no fuel problems yet.

Im sure Im wrong, but I feel with the conditioner and running it down fairly often, the tank should be in top shape.

Michael

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00 Driftwood 2500 ST QC ISB LB 5spd 3:54 LSD Tow & Camper Groups

my photos

[This message has been edited by madams (edited 11-30-2000). ]

 

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Yep, sounds familiar. The bell and idiot lite goes on with ours and DTE says 50 to 75 miles left. Drove 55 miles and filled her up and it took only 27 gal! Next time I drove her further and it took 29 gal. Hmmmm.

Read postings here about the red cap on the breather ontop the tank. Worth a look see. Then heard a lot of speculation that Dodge uses the same sending unit for the smaller tank as well as the large one resulting in it bottoming out in the large one with a lot of fuel left in the tank. Some guys talked of bending it for a futher more accurate reach, but that sounds like a lot of work! #ad


Personally, I'm looking into replacing my oem tank with the Aero 60 gal or the new 60 gal from Transf flow (if they will put it out soon) PLUS putting in a 40 gallon where the spare is. Now that will give me some range..... #ad


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2001. 5 2500 SLT+, QC/LB 4x4, ETH, 6spd, 3:54 LSD, camper/tow equip. , NV241HD, Bright Silver, Snug Top, Ispro w/3 pod pillar w/tweeter, Pyro, Boost & Mag Hytec cover w/temp guage

 

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Hi guys
My trk is a 95 and the owners manual says I have a 35 gal tank. The manual also says that the warning light will come on with 10 gal of fuel left. No trusting fuel guages, I stop for fuel when the warning light comes on and I rarly put over 25 or 26 gal of fuel in. This would make me believe that the warning light is acurate. So far I have 97,000 miles on the trk and no sending unit problems yet. (knock on wood)! Just lucky I guess.

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95 slt auto,bd exhaustbrake, TST 230/605 plate K&N airfilter, primelok fuelfilter relocator. Who say"s six in row don"t go?

 

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Just an opinion here, but since anybody with a 24v motor has an injector pump which is cooled/lubricated by fuel, you might not want to run your tank too low, seeing as how your "coolant" will be getting pretty warm (remember, a lot of fuel is sent back to the tank via the return line after it's been heated by the injector pump). In addition, warm fuel invites moisture which leads to a whole new set of problems.

-dm

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'01 Eth 3500 dually, no mods planned except maybe an amsoil filter & guages. See My Truck and also be sure to read What tools & methods to use for an easy 1st oil change!!!
"Be happy you don't get all the government you pay for. " -W. C. Fields

[This message has been edited by dmurdock (edited 12-01-2000). ]

 

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When mine reads empty it only take 27 or 28 Gallons the way I look at it it's a good safety margin. #ad


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20yr Mopar Parts Manager,"June of 2000" 2001 quad cab,2wd,auto,354 LSD rear axle,Raven Magnum 8' cap.

 

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Can't complain about my 'Puter. It has been within . 4 MPG of hand calculations on every fill-up... . but there have only been 4 of them!!!! It even seems to do well while towing.

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2001. 5 2500 ETH/DEE, QuadCab, 2WD, LWB, SLT+, 3. 54, Tow Package, Camper Package, Jake e-brake and more...
Pulling a 30', 12. 5K lb Alpenlite 5'ver

 

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I filled tonight with the guage on empty. It took 30. 3 gallons - the most I've ever put in it. The computer said 2 miles to empty, then it said 4 miles to empty later on. #ad
The warning light was on for about 30 miles, but I knew it had several gallons left based on my odometer. On my truck, the warning light comes on with about 8 gallons left in the tank.

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2001 2500; SLT; 4x4; QC; LWB; Auto; 3. 54 LS; 265s; Camper; Tow; Sliding Rear Window; Travel Convenience Group; Cab Clearance Lamps; Forest Green

 

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As durdock said above it's best to keep your tank full,especially in the winter. The heated from cooling fuel causes condensation in the tank when it cools,the more empty space in the tank the more air from which moisture can condense from. It's also a good idea to open the drain on the bottom of the fuel filter more often during the winter,don't wait for the water in fuel light to come on.

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks Stinger,Warn fender flairs and running boards(Play truck)95 3500,5 speed,Driftwood,Banks&Phscotty,34,000 GCVW apple and tractor hauler(work truck)