87 TBI almost out ran out of gas, now wont run.

[Mattchu60]

Well I feel like a fool as I type this. I drove 200 miles today to pickup a camper. Truck pulled it great, no issues, wasnt even working that hard. 6 miles from being home after 4 hours of driving, I was almost out of gas- I was at the 1/8 mark on the gauge. I KNEW I should have stopped and filled it, but i was hot and sweaty (95 out and no A/C) and I wanted to just get home.

I went up a hill and I think all the gas ran to the back of the tank, gauge dropped to empty and she started sputtering and chugging 10 secs later. I quickly pulled over, shut it off. I got some gas in a jug and filled it up, probably put 4 gallons in.

Wont start. sat there for over an hour and tried to get it going - if i pump the gas it'll start and chug, chug chug then die. I can hear the tbi fuel tank pump clicking on when I turn the key on. I don't think its dead.

Anyways. I ended up pulling it the rest of the way home. I'll look at it tomorrow, right now I'm too frustrated and tired. Going to try cracking the lines- my hope is there is just air in the system but not really sure - my thought is since the pump is a "Pusher" it should clear that out.

Any thoughts on what to look at tomorrow? this really is bad timing as I'll be gone all weekend, was hoping to use this next week.

[Mattchu60]

And to add insult to injury, when I pulled the truck home, my wife forgot to put it in "N" and left it in park. Pulled her about 30 ft at 5-10mph, looked back and saw it bouncing. Hoping nothing too badly damaged in the trans now.

[Katrina/10]

Does the pump run when you turn the key on?

[Mattchu60]

I opened the door and can hear the pump come on for 2 seconds when I Key-On. I assume its working, but from what I am reading now - it could have been damaged where its hardly pushing any fuel.

I think i'll be pushing it into a corner of the shed for a while, I dont have the time to deal with it now.

[Katrina/10]

That's a good sign. When you get a chance, take your air cleaner off and look for fuel spray while cranking.

[KrazyRay]

Try changing the fuel filter. It may have got clogged up with the debris from the bottom of the tank.

[DieselSJ]

Originally Posted by KrazyRay

Try changing the fuel filter. It may have got clogged up with the debris from the bottom of the tank.

^^This^^

Next step is to rent the fuel pressure check gauge from your local chain auto parts and check your fuel pressure.

[50dan]

Id say it's definitely a fuel delivery problem so I would check filter first them pull a line and check the pump or if there is a way to check fuel pressure do that. sometimes the pumps get weak.

[Mattchu60]

Put a new filter on - no change.

I have a pressure gauge which I will try to hook up later. Needs a new o-ring.

[cadillac_al]

Originally Posted by Mattchu60

Put a new filter on - no change.

I have a pressure gauge which I will try to hook up later. Needs a new o-ring.

Too bad GM wasn't smart enough to put a pressure port on the truck. I think you have to guess or flip a coin or buy a fitting to check fuel pressure. The fuel pump does sound like the most logical culprit.

[Pontiac1976]

It may have air in the lines too. I would make sure the lines are clean & tank too. Try pumping line to make sure it does not air in them.
Good Luck let us know how it goes.

[Big Port Jimmy 6]

I have seen one blow off the hose in the tank after it sucked up some trash.

[Sabaka454]

You need to check your fuel pressure

[Mattchu60]

I got my fuel pressure gauge on today, yep - pump is hardly pushing any fuel - only getting 2-3 lbs on the gauge.

Poured some gas in the TBI and she started right up. Guess its time to tear it apart.

[cjthompson]

That's happened to me a time or 2 now..... minus the pulling in park..... both times it was the rubber hose between the pump and the sending unit. I'd drop the tank and look at it before you buy a pump.....

If you do change the pump, I found this forum very informative.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tbi/...p-upgrade.html

[cadillac_al]

That's a bummer but now you know it isn't cool to run electric fuel pumps empty. They're wimpy.