1/4 tank dilemma??? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

useless · 09-05-2004, 22:55

Hi guys..ive got a confession to make...when my car goes down to 1/4 tank of fuel and the performance dies bad.I think i have a semi blocked fuel filter..on the flip side when i fill the tank up it screams it literally improves gtech power ratings as well!!!!My plugs run nice and white...which is what we all want.I beleive that the semi clogged fuel filter leans my fuel mixtures at cruise and wot speed as it goes really well.But as i have mentioned before 1/4 tank sees my car drive sluggish again..What should i do??replace fuel filter or not??

RaceCraft · 09-05-2004, 23:47

cheap solution to cancel it out as the cause

useless · 09-05-2004, 23:49

so change it?

RaceCraft · 09-05-2004, 23:51

i would if you think it is the cause, although i have never come across the symptoms you are mentioning.. but like i say a fuel filter is cheap enough to replace to cancel it out as part of your problem

SpruceMoose · 09-06-2004, 03:37

At a quarter of a tank? FUel filter wouldnt really have anything to do with it would it - why not at half way?

Perhaps it is the fuel pump itself, and isnt seated within the tank properly, or the filter before the pump isnt has collapsed slightly.

I am saying this after just recently replacing both the fuel pump and filter on my EA. The filter seemed easy enough, but the pump was where the real wear and tear could be seen, apparently they are only good for about 200,000k's before they should REALLY be replaced (although 200,000 ks is quite a bit!). On mine, the pump's filter had been collapsed, along with other age related probs.

gordon451 · 09-06-2004, 07:27

I agree with SpruceMoose -- but I'd change the filter anyway just for the heck of it.

OTH, I can't see the pump causing the problem. I was thinking contaminated fuel -- but you must surely be getting some mixing in your daily driving, so that one's out. I did see something similar years ago on another marque -- the pickup had been moved -- but that simply made it run like an empty tank.

When you say "performance dies bad" do you mean sluggish? Or spluttering?

useless · 09-06-2004, 07:31

sluggish like its lost 15 kw

gordon451 · 09-06-2004, 17:42

Ummmmm... I can't see the fuel pump or the filter, 'cos they should affect performance right across the range. (Change the filter anyway -- it probably needs it, and it doesn't cost much ot take much time.)

Whatever is causing the problem must be something triggered by low tank levels. In theory, none of the ECU can see the tank... Can they? Is it possible the AU has a low-fuel-level economy switch/sensor?

Otherwise, it must be the pickup. Looks like you may have to lift the lid on the tank. It's not that bad a job -- just remember, use a sealed torch, not matches or lighters. :) Erm... You'd be surprised how many people do use matches & lighters [:-| probably somebody in your street!

cheahman · 09-06-2004, 19:09

Alot of the AU's are known to do this. They dont like to run near empty. Even mine runs crap when the petrol becomes low. Just a problem most of them have.

loxxr6 · 09-06-2004, 20:41

Alot of the AU's are known to do this. They dont like to run near empty. Even mine runs crap when the petrol becomes low. Just a problem most of them have.

Mines not a fan of low fuel levels. Always runs better after a top up.