Thread: Fuel usable after light comes on?

I traveled 70 km after the fuel light came on (becuase that was the closest fuel supply!)

I filled up and put 91 litres!

Many on the forum here reccomend never let the fuel pump operate with less than half a tank unless you have to. Keeps the pump cooler and extends service life of the pump it seems.

cheers

Keeping tank above min will help pump life.

I think the owners manual states 9L left when fuel light comes on.

By your calc's, you've got 15L left ... at 10.5L/100km ... about 150km to dry.

Mine runs out BEFORE the fuel light comes on (like at 1/8 tank remaining ) .... and I squeeze fill 95L.

Like's been said .... keeping the fuel pump submerged makes for a happy fuel pump, so by your numbers, maybe 400-600km then fill.

The new pumps sit in a "bucket" of fuel, so its not a problem anymore,,
if it ever was,,
the fuel running through it would be enough to control its temp,,

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

The new pumps sit in a "bucket" of fuel, so its not a problem anymore,,
if it ever was,,
the fuel running through it would be enough to control its temp,,

It's well known the more you keep the tank levels up the better the pumps last.

Those who keep their TD5 tanks higher tend to get further before the inevitable failure.

Skuilnaam

And its really cool when they let go at 1600 in the Sydney Harbour Tunnel

you get a ride home in a pretty white truck with flashing lights

Not sure about the additional fuel required to keep the fuel pump cool. It is usually the pumps failing because at the bottom of the fuel tank is the rubbish, when the fuel tank gets low this goes through the pump and that damages/shortens the life of/kills the fuel pump. Especially on older vehicles as they've had more years to collect stuff at the bottom of the fuel tank.

Originally Posted by twr7cx

Not sure about the additional fuel required to keep the fuel pump cool. It is usually the pumps failing because at the bottom of the fuel tank is the rubbish, when the fuel tank gets low this goes through the pump and that damages/shortens the life of/kills the fuel pump. Especially on older vehicles as they've had more years to collect stuff at the bottom of the fuel tank.

I don't get this, must be an Old Mechanic's myth. All fuel pumps suck fuel from the very bottom of the tank, any rubbish would get sucked onto the filter sock on the pump inlet, regardless. Most EFI pumps sit in a surge pot, especially the LR ones have a jet pump arrangement with the return line that keeps the pot full and the pump fully immersed. Only when you run out of fuel does the pump run dry and overheat. This is a common problem with petrol/gas vehicles when the petrol runs out and the vehicle continues on gas. Failure of the pump can then take as little as 15 minutes.

The only way rubbish gets decanted from any tank is when you empty an old jerrycan or similar, the last bit contains the trash.