Hopefully i can get some help here. A couple days ago i went out to union city to meet with a friend and on my way back to oakland, roughly 22 miles, I noticed the low fuel light had came on. Im a cheapass and since it was my friends car, i only pumped 5 bucks. After that i went home. Later i went with a friend to the mall in dublin, roughly 23 miles from oakland. When we were done shopping my friend started the car, it started then it stutterd and died. My friend started it the last time and it just cranks but doesnt start. I slowly realise that it could be the fuel problem. DOH! We call AAA and they come by and seeing as how it cranked, believed that it was not a battery problem but possibly a FUEL PUMP problem. We told them that fuel may be the cause so they put in 3 gallons of fuel. Car still cranks but does not start.

My question is, what could be the problem and what can i do to fix it besides taking it to a mechanic.

Thanks,
Tony Yeung

 

Sediment from the bottom of the gas tank is probably in the lines now since it was run down so far. My guess is you need to lay a whole new system from the tank to the engine, and then possibly even new injectors, rails, etc.

 

fixed today!

Fuel pump problem

 

I doubt running a tank low is the cause at all, I always run to the fuel light and then run another 10+ miles on all of my cars and never had a problem.

How can 'sediments' from the bottom of the tank be a problem? If there are sediments they will be mixed with the gas all the time, not when it gets low. (IMO)...

It could be a fuel pump, but doubt that has anything to do with running it low.

 

Depending on the quality of the gas used in the car, mixed with refueling habits, sediment can build up within the tank.

 

running on Empty is really bad i know we all do it but especially intank fuel pumps use the gas to keep cool. So by u running it down too low it gets overheated dont be a cheapass keep a little gas in there all the time