stupid question 1992 f-150

[DoubleJ]

I think my front tank has gas in it but I can't tell.  The gauge has been broken since I got the truck years ago.  Basically, I normally get about 240 miles out of a full tank.  This time, I got 180.  I had the problem where the battery cables were in contact with the battery backwards and it ended up shortingout my voltage regulator and my starter solenoid.  I managed to run off direct battery power for a few days by recharging the battery at night until I got the voltage regulator fixed.  Right after I got that fixed, the front tank "Went dry" and started to stall the engine out so I switched to the back tank.  In my estimation, one of a few things have happened.

1.  Running with a low voltage for those few days made my truck run REALLY rich and the tank is empty

2.  Accidentally switching the battery cables shorted something out in the relay or wiring for the front tank fuel pump.

3.  Fuel pump has gone bad

What's the easiest, cheapest way to figure out and fix what's wrong.  I figure I first need to see if there's gas in the front tank.  How do I do that?

[Woodchuck]

Option 1. Fix the truck for known issue and retry. 

[FC]

Option 1. Fix the truck for known issue and retry. 

[Blacktail Sniper]

To test the fuel pump theory:

Disconnect the fuel feed at the input side of the pump, then run a short piece of rubber fuel line down into a gas can with enough gas so you can start it and allow it to run for a few minutes.

If it runs while feeding gas from the can, there is an issue other than the pump, empty tank, blocked line, bad switch etc.

If it won't start or run, then the fuel pump is needing some love and attention. 

[sebek556]

could be wrong but I think its the same in the line pump that runs both tanks 

[DoubleJ]

Option 1. Fix the truck for known issue and retry. 

Known issue is fixed.

[DoubleJ]

could be wrong but I think its the same in the line pump that runs both tanks 

I think both tanks have their own fuel pump.

[DoubleJ]

I'll put in $5 worth of gas tonight and if it starts and runs, the tank was empty.  If not, then I know something is wrong and needs fixing

[Woodchuck]

Is the best plan IMO

[Heredoggydoggy]

I think that system returns unused fuel to the tank.  Don't know much about dual-tank setups. Also check the fuel filter.  The one on my '90 Bronco II was old and plugged.  The local Library here has Motor's Manuals for older vehicles.  Yours may too.  Good source of info for trouble-shooting systems.

[DoubleJ]

Have a Chilton and a Haynes.  Not the filter.  1 filter for both tanks and the rear tank works fine.  The system does return unused fuel to the tank though.  There was a recall because the system was taking from one tank and returning to the other causing an overflow situation if the return tank was already full

[Heredoggydoggy]

Have a Chilton and a Haynes.  Not the filter.  1 filter for both tanks and the rear tank works fine.  The system does return unused fuel to the tank though.  There was a recall because the system was taking from one tank and returning to the other causing an overflow situation if the return tank was already full

Seems like I heard about that recall problem.  Sorry I couldn't be of more help.  I do know that those in-tank electric fuel pumps are pretty sensitive....

[Wazukie]

Only proper way to check your fuel pump is with a pressure gauge.  That 92' Ford is Fuel Injected correct?  If you suspect the pump, you need to check the pressure at the rail.  I will go out on a whim here ans say that it's not the pump, as all it does is supply fuel, not control air/fuel mixture.  Fill her up and see what happens on the next tank.

[DoubleJ]

I need to repeat, the rear tank functions properly.  The problem is with the front tank only.  It's either empty or there's something with the front tank or front tank pump

[Blacktail Sniper]

Only proper way to check your fuel pump is with a pressure gauge.  That 92' Ford is Fuel Injected correct?  If you suspect the pump, you need to check the pressure at the rail.  I will go out on a whim here ans say that it's not the pump, as all it does is supply fuel, not control air/fuel mixture.  Fill her up and see what happens on the next tank.

    

[Heredoggydoggy]

Only proper way to check your fuel pump is with a pressure gauge.  That 92' Ford is Fuel Injected correct?  If you suspect the pump, you need to check the pressure at the rail.  I will go out on a whim here ans say that it's not the pump, as all it does is supply fuel, not control air/fuel mixture.  Fill her up and see what happens on the next tank.

    

   My fuel injected 2.9 V6 Ford Bronco II has a Schrader Valve on the fuel injector rail to hook up a gage.  Yours probably does too.  I'll bet it's the front tank fuel pump.  I'm told that replacing the fuel pump is easier if you unbolt the truck bed and raise it up than to drain the tank and unstrap it and try to strap it back.

[Woodchuck]

Any word?

[DoubleJ]

tank out of gas.  normal driving gets me about 17 mpg.  I must have had some really rich gas while the electrical was an issue because it dropped me under 10mpg.  Right now, on my test gas, I got 14.7mpg.  Going to de gunk it and see if that gets me back to 17.  If not, I'll look at the air/fuel mix

[Woodchuck]

These cold temps can really mess with mileage more than some think. 2 MPG wouldn't surprise me at all. Check it when things warm back up some. 

[Buckmark]

What's the easiest, cheapest way to figure out and fix what's wrong.  I figure I first need to see if there's gas in the front tank.  How do I do that?

Stick a hose down the filler and suck, if you get a mouth full of fuel then there is gas in that tank...

[Goldeneye]

What's the easiest, cheapest way to figure out and fix what's wrong.  I figure I first need to see if there's gas in the front tank.  How do I do that?

Stick a hose down the filler and suck, if you get a mouth full of fuel then there is gas in that tank...

Ever consider just fixing the gas gauge?  Shouldn't be to difficult to do.

[Heredoggydoggy]

These cold temps can really mess with mileage more than some think. 2 MPG wouldn't surprise me at all. Check it when things warm back up some. 

    When it gets this cold, your engine never really warms up.  Since the mid-60's the engine makers went to thin-wall castings...