4Runner won't start

I fill at just under 1/4 and run it to 50mi left a few times a year. Had fuel filters go on other cars when I ran it to almost empty too often, it's a bad practice to get in.

 

Is 10 years old now? I have vehicles 3-4x that and the fuel gauges are still accurate, and the fuel tanks are still clean.

 

Don't make um like they used to.

 

How close to empty are you talking about?

I've run every vehicle I've owned until the light comes on regularly. Most have been sold or traded with over 200K miles, and I've never had issues because of it.

But, I have heard of issue being caused by running out of fuel completely.

 

It's unfortunate that we'd have to worry about this so much. I've owned numerous older Toyotas and the fuel gauge has always worked.

I do agree that one shouldn't assume that it's accurate, though.

 

Probably to the point where a light would come on (Older cars with no light). But at the time i would also go to all kinds of old crappy gas stations so that didn't help either.

 

I remember avoiding certain gas stations when someone would get a bad tank from them. I don't seem to hear about it as much now. But, I do recall thinking this may have been the case on a trip to Florida once when I got really bad fuel economy on a tank for no apparent reason.

I wonder if they're regulated better now?

 

I have it baffled

 

I remember too.


I think because more fuel is moved faster and storage/seals are better there is less on an issue, if at all. Could be from newer regulations, or just better practices.

 

I don’t know your area but I have gas station at every corner. It’s not a big deal for me but I understand if you live somewhere rural. On longer trips I also fill up the cars when they are below half because that’s also an indicator to stop for a stretch.

 

The easiest way is to reset the trip odometer every fill up. I run to 300 miles then refuel.

 

I have a tendency to be a little bit nutso when I travel solo. I'll fill up, use the restroom, and get back on the road and usually drive until the light comes on again. On a 1400 mile trip, I usually stop 4-5 times.

Of course, I know I won't be making that good of time if I ever have passengers.

 

Yep, here in H-Town a few months ago there was plenty of gas, 20 ft down in tanks with no electricity to pump it up... I don't drive much so I fill up every week. Usually about a quarter tank. But three days after the storm I drove 40 miles to find a place open to buy something to eat.

 

1/2 tank is fill up time no matter what I drive. Hell, in my tundra, if you wait till the light comes on, that means you have already walked 2 miles!

 

Old European cars had 50km left when the light came on. Luckily the college years are over so I don’t have to drive around with my fuel light on or counting miles between $5 fill ups.

 

I would replace the entire assembly with OEM parts. Here is the kicker, when I bench tested the old sending unit, it tested ok-rudimentary volt meter test. Regardless, new assembly, works as it should.

Also, this has nothing to do with how much gas you fill up each time, it's just a part failure.

 

I am that guy too. I've been told countless times it will kill fuel pumps etc., and have never once replaced a fuel pump in my life. And I have owned many shitboxes lol.

 

Are you aware that the fuel pump is cooled for longevity by the fuel in the tank?

I used to work at the rigs, and even though regular gas was available on site in above ground tanks for free due to the remoteness, the geologist always ran his tank until the low fuel lamp lit.

He continually complained that every truck he owned came from the factory with bad fuel pumps.

After we discussed this during supper at the camp one night, and others chimed in, he never had another fuel pump failure.

 

If running until the light came on would actually damage the pump, the manufacturer would make the light come on sooner.

Cool story, though.

 

I always believed fuel flowing THROUGH the pump cooled it. Not sitting around it.

So unless you are constantly cranking with a dry tank you will be fine. If you are cranking enough with it dry I'm going to assume the starter would go first.


DTE is not always accurate either. I stretched my last tank. It told me to fill up now. Drove another 15 miles and only filled up little over 18 gallons.

 

How do you clean the gas tank?

 

Inside or outside? Just don’t shove the pressure washer inside. I’ve seen it before.

 

Far less crying at the gas pump when you re-fill at half tank.

 

The tank would have to be removed from the truck.

I have seen owners of both gas and diesel vehicles forget which vehicle they are in and put the wrong fuel in the tank. Hence the cause to get the tank cleaned.

 

You’d printing money with that approach!

 

And eventually will have 1/2 tank of sludge.

 

my son lives to run the 2011. SR5 down to where it says 10 miles or less left. I keep warning him that its bad for the fuel pump which needs gas to keepnit cool and being stranded on the side of the road. Well this morning he was left on the side of the road. I was about 5 miles away from him but I made him call a friend or AAA to help him. He was mad at me but ii reminded him of my several warnings and I politely hung up on him. Lol!

 

tough love

 

So which is better - less crying more often, or more crying less often?

 

It's a cathartic experience one way or the other. "When Cameron came to OPEC land...let my people go."