Chinook RV

I know some people runs their generator and cuts the fuel to make it less likely for the carb to gum up. I wonder how bad it is to let the engine die with no fuel? How about doing that to the Ford engine? I think it is definitely bad to run out of gas for the Ford engine, but how damaging it real is for the generator and the vehicle engine?

I see no issues running the genset out of fuel. It is actually recommended by many experts for long term storage.

Now to run the Ford chassis engine out of fuel, or very low on fuel, introduces heat into the equation. The internal fuel pump is "cooled" by the fuel in the tank. Folks who let their tanks run low on a regular basis subject their fuel pump to higher operating temperatures which can lead to premature failure.

BIll

b6fischer wrote: July 10th, 2018, 6:51 pm Folks who let their tanks run low on a regular basis subject their fuel pump to higher operating temperatures which can lead to premature failure.

BIll

I wonder about this. Reason is, I read/heard this not long after I got my Chinook, and there are times I want to run a little low*. But I didn't want to damage the fuel pump.

Unfortunately, I can't put my finger on what I felt was the conclusive piece of data, but upon reading it and seeing how the pump/cooling worked, I concluded that running low on fuel (not out, but say to 1/8 tank) would not damage the fuel pump due to lack of cooling.

I wish I could find that again (I was satisfied enough in my own mind that I kept the conclusion but not the "proof").

I'm not saying to trust me, but anyone might want to check for themselves, as the "don't run low it will heat up" seems to be a common admonition.

BG

*Why would I want to run low? Well it's just a function of certain circumstances. But my feeling is that every time I stop for fuel, I'm subjecting myself to a bunch of people driving around trying to get into the pumps (and not paying attention or not having a good sense of where their vehicle edges are), possible card skimming, possible annoying maneuvering (if I'm towing), possible extra charges (if say, but going past 1/4 tank I could make it out of California or NY, etc.).

I wouldn't do this in the middle of Montana, or in bad weather where electrical storms might make the pumps not operate; but there are times it's a pretty safe bet I can go on to the next station.

But regardless of whether I would choose to run lower or not (which I don't actually do all that often); I mostly just wanted to know in my own mind whether it was going to be harmful or not.

If anyone finds out otherwise, I'm all ears.

I have a lot of experience with submersible pump, but maybe fuel pump is different. Anyway, as long as the liquid is being pumped, I have not come across any pump that have any issue with it. Most submersible pump will not like to run dry, since it need the liquid for cooling and lubrication.

I guess as long as I shut off the engine when the fuel is empty, there should be no problem with the fuel pump.

However, my original question is if it is damaging to the engine for it to run out of fuel. I think in all these years of driving, I only went out of fuel twice.

That rings a bell, chin_k. Which would mean there is nothing different about running low on fuel (as far as cooling the pump is concerned), because the fuel cools from inside the pump not the outside volume in the tank. I believe that's what I found out when I researched it. So that's not running dry, but it means even at 1/32 of a tank (or whatever) it's still cooling.

Still doesn't answer your question though.

(If nothing here, I bet the folks on Ford Truck Forum would know. They have a van section but also I think a V10 sub-forum.)

Unless someone can show me a manufacture specification of the fuel pump that need to be submerged at all time, I think I am with you that as long as you don't run it dry, it will be fine.

There are certainly many opinions out there on every subject. Here is one on tank mounted fuel pump failure. For me, 1/8 tank on the gauge is my rule. "E" on the gauge fill with 33.5 gallons - so 3.5 gallons in my tank. No reason for me to ever go below that critical point. Plenty to still cool the pump externally.

http://www.agcoauto.com/content/news/p2_articleid/195

Excellent article. It is not damaging downstream from the pump if the system runs dry occasionally. You just have to crank longer to build up pressure to the injectors again. For example, this happens during maintenance when the fuel filter is replaced and introduces air into the lines.

My original fuel pump eventually failed for a different reason, namely corrosion induced by E-10 fuel after the previous owner let the vehicle sit idle in storage too long. Remember, older systems were designed before ethanol fuels became the norm. I expect my expensive new Ford pump has been upgraded accordingly.

Regardless, I always include a dash of fuel stabilizer with every tankful as it is not practical to drain the tank or drive around and refill with fresh fuel every month or so. So, regarding fuel….. it is not just the quantity but also the quality

I used to run out of gas all the time in college:)