[Jim Votino]

I NEED HELP!

A couple of years ago, was driving interstate through road construction. Hit a pothole and bottomed out the car. I had 1/4 tank of fuel. Within a mile, the car started missing, hesitating and no power. Made it off highway and to a gas station. Filled it up and immediately, the car started right up and no issues - full power. From that point forward, whenever I got down to 1/4 of tank, it would start running rough, missing and could smell a weird sweet smell. Fast forward to last week. Drove it, with no issues, until it got to 1/4 tank. Filled it up. Started driving again and at 1/2 tank, on highway, it started acting fuel starved again. Had someone come and bring me 2 gallons of fuel. It fired right up, made it to gas station and topped it off. Continued driving, with full tank. About 40 miles down the road, with near full tank, started missing, bumping and no power. Pulled over and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Started it back up - no problems - ran perfect. 20 minutes later, it did the same thing...pulled over for 5 minutes, fired it back up and ran fine. Was able to make it home. I am baffled. Thought it might be fuel pump, that was damaged when I bottomed it out, possibly knocking off the fuel pickup that was closer to the bottom of the tank. Therefore, causing it to act like it was running out of fuel, the lower the fuel level in tank was. But now, with 1/2 and also with a full tank, getting the same problem...I am baffled. Any suggestions? Fuel pump? I have eliminated fuel filter, because that wouldn't be effected by fuel tank level...would happen all the time, with clogged filter. The fuel tank was never damaged or dented, when it bottomed out. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Tired of throwing money at ghosts.

 

[eschaider]

Try taking your fuel pump out and look at it to see if there is any physical damage.

 

[mustang86matt]

Take a look at all the connections and make sure nothing is loose. If you do find damage, I highly recommend Quantum Fuel Systems for your replacement. They have excellent customer service that can also help you diagnose your current issue and they can sell you just the parts you need instead of wasting money on a full replacement hanger or kit.

 

[Jim Votino]

Try taking your fuel pump out and look at it to see if there is any physical damage.

Thank you! Will do!!!

 

[Jim Votino]

Try taking your fuel pump out and look at it to see if there is any physical damage.

Thank you. I have suspected the fuel pump was the issue, ever since the car "bottomed out"...but have delayed dropping the tank and replacing the pump, only because the tank dropping is such a pain in the ass. Was hoping someone might have a simpler suggestion. Have you ever heard of anyone who AFTER they dropped their gas tank, took the time to "cut an access hole" above the pump location in their trunk, in case there is ever a fuel pump issue in the future? It's mind boggling that Ford didn't see this as an option when they manufactured this car. Would have made life so much easier to access the fuel pump.

 

[eschaider]

Was your tank dented after you hit the pothole?

 

[Jim Votino]

Was your tank dented after you hit the pothole?

Not that I could see. No apparent dents or gouges.

 

[eschaider]

The fuel pumps and fuel pump pickup placement is located close to the bottom of both OEM and aftermarket fuel tanks to allow using as much tank volume as possible for fueling. If the tank floor was distorted enough to hit the bottom of the fuel pumps but not dent and then return to a normal outward appearance you still may have damaged the pumps. In that situation, if the filtering socks were knocked off the bottom of the pumps or the pumps incurred mechanical damage you will need to remove them from the tank and make a determination as to any damage they may have sustained.

 

[Jim Votino]

The fuel pumps and fuel pump pickup placement is located close to the bottom of both OEM and aftermarket fuel tanks to allow using as much tank volume as possible for fueling. If the tank floor was distorted enough to hit the bottom of the fuel pumps but not dent and then return to a normal outward appearance you still may have damaged the pumps. In that situation, if the filtering socks were knocked off the bottom of the pumps or the pumps incurred mechanical damage you will need to remove them from the tank and make a determination as to any damage they may have sustained.

Thanks! I am leaning that way myself, but just not thrilled about dropping the tank and all that is involved.