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08-26-2011, 06:48 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Preston, ID
Posts: 1,213
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How Low Can You Go?
I wanted to find out far I could drive after the low fuel light came on. Including two or three cold starts, I was only able to go 50 miles until it started missing--I had five gallons with me so I wouldn't be stranded. Sportsmobile told me my rig has a 47 gallon tank, not true. Forty is what it took.
Fun driving for 20+ miles with the gauge below E.
Z
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08-26-2011, 07:31 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Washington - Ridgefield
Posts: 4,728
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Re: How Low Can You Go?
Very bad idea to run a 6.0 down on fuel until it doesn't run right. You could easily kill a fuel injector or two. And that could easily kill a couple thousand dollars.
If you really want to see how much fuel your tank can hold, open the fuel line and run the electric pump until it sputters, then refill.
The lowest I've gotten was 7 chimes past the low fuel warning, 36.63 gallons, 643 miles.
Mike
__________________
Alaska to Key West, Labrador and more
Prostate cancer survivor. See Thread Prostate cancer and Sportsmobiles
2015 VW GTI 2020 Fiat 124 Spider
2012 E250 Hitop camper
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08-26-2011, 07:46 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Preston, ID
Posts: 1,213
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Re: How Low Can You Go?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350
Very bad idea to run a 6.0 down on fuel until it doesn't run right. You could easily kill a fuel injector or two. And that could easily kill a couple thousand dollars.
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Why?
Z
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08-26-2011, 10:21 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 126
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Re: How Low Can You Go?
Not exactly sure on all the reasons not too, but it isn't a
good idea to run a diesel engine out of fuel. I beleive one
of the problems is getting air out of the system if it's run
dry. I'm sure someone with more knowledge will comment
on your post.
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08-27-2011, 07:22 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Western Colorado
Posts: 1,228
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Re: How Low Can You Go?
Not a good thing to do with the diesel. The injectors require a minimum of 42 psi or they can be damaged by the lack of pressure. There is even a replacement part (a small spring) now available from Ford to help insure the pressure doesn't drop low during WOT.
__________________
Desert Solitaire
2003 7.3L EB 4x4
Timberline 4x4 conversion
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08-27-2011, 07:46 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,220
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Re: How Low Can You Go?
I believe injectors pump fuel via a small piston. Removing all the fuel will cause the piston to hammer (potential damage) and the fuel also acts as a lubricant for the injector moving parts (potential scuffing of surfaces). So loosing all fuel results in injectors loosing cushion and lubricant.
__________________
Len & Joanne
The Green TARDIS
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08-27-2011, 08:30 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Blairsden, CA (when not on the road)
Posts: 1,109
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Re: How Low Can You Go?
SMB told me it was a 46 gallon tank. I've added 42 gallons. You can always measure the dimensions of the tank and then figure the volume, but that won't get you the usable amount.
__________________
Scatter
You can be anything you want on the Internet,
it amazes me that so many choose stupid....
2007 RB50, 6.0
K1WGB
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08-27-2011, 10:26 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Washington - Ridgefield
Posts: 4,728
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Re: How Low Can You Go?
I wish I fully understood the fuel injectors. But, from diesel specific websites, it is common knowledge that low fuel pressure will (not can, but WILL) damage the fuel injectors on a 6.0 PSD. Other diesel engines can tolerate running out of fuel, but not the 6.0.
It used to be normal practice to run until the engine starts to lose power, then change the fuel filter. A clogged fuel filter restricts the amount of fuel, and the amount of fuel injected determines the power of a diesel. With a 6.0 it is not a good idea to try to run a fuel filter past 15,000 miles. And, many users add a fuel pressure gauge to keep an eye on both the filter and the pump to protect the fuel injectors.
In Canada I had an injector fail - broken ceramic which the tech had never seen before and it cost me 5 days and $1900. Good thing I shut it off quickly when I noticed the vibration and loss of power.
Mike
__________________
Alaska to Key West, Labrador and more
Prostate cancer survivor. See Thread Prostate cancer and Sportsmobiles
2015 VW GTI 2020 Fiat 124 Spider
2012 E250 Hitop camper
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08-27-2011, 12:17 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Turlock Ca
Posts: 10,407
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Re: How Low Can You Go?
Some info here:
injectors
__________________
2006 Ford 6.0PSD EB-50/E-PH SMB 4X4 Rock Crawler Trailer
Sportsmobile 4X4 Adventures.......... On and off road adventures
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08-27-2011, 12:56 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: PNW WA
Posts: 618
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Re: How Low Can You Go?
Quote:
Originally Posted by daveb
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I think this quote from the above link sums it up nicely....
"Finally, running a 6.0L Powerstroke out of fuel is deadly to injectors! On early trucks, if you run out of fuel, you will usually be buying 8 injectors. If you think you are going to run out of fuel, stop, shut the truck off, and walk. It may save you $2,500. Later trucks have a PCM strategy which limits pressure to prevent injector damage during a low fuel condition, but it is still a situation to be avoided at all costs."
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