driving a truck out of gas
Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 569
Likes: 1
From: Memphis, TN
Yea...i had to change my fuel pump last fall after dealing with symptoms similar to what you described. Then one day, it just didn't start at all. I was lucky enough for this to happen in my driveway, so I was quickly able diagnose and replace the fuel pump. I would go ahead and replace the fuel pump, so you don't get stranded...
It is not that big of an undertaking if you make sure the tank is near empty when you do it. A floor jack, a 2x4, and a couple of bolts to release the straps. Then slowly lower the jack, and remove the tank.
I would suggest taking a day and working on your truck. First, I would change the plugs. My local O'reillys had the NGK V-Powers for $1.99 ea x 16=about $35 after tax and can be done in less than 2 hours. This may or may not help your issue. Start the truck and see how it goes. If it still struggles, replace the fuel pump. I got mine from the dealership for $130-150...somewhere in there, i can't remember. That took like 3 hours to do, i think.
So in an 8 hour day, and about $200, you are doing $700-$1000+ worth of work if you took it to a shop. And unless you make $500-$800/day ($100k-$160K/yr), which is the opportunity cost of a days work, seems worth your while.... Sorry about that last part, that is my econ degree and former financial advisor job coming out in me, lol.
It is not that big of an undertaking if you make sure the tank is near empty when you do it. A floor jack, a 2x4, and a couple of bolts to release the straps. Then slowly lower the jack, and remove the tank.
I would suggest taking a day and working on your truck. First, I would change the plugs. My local O'reillys had the NGK V-Powers for $1.99 ea x 16=about $35 after tax and can be done in less than 2 hours. This may or may not help your issue. Start the truck and see how it goes. If it still struggles, replace the fuel pump. I got mine from the dealership for $130-150...somewhere in there, i can't remember. That took like 3 hours to do, i think.
So in an 8 hour day, and about $200, you are doing $700-$1000+ worth of work if you took it to a shop. And unless you make $500-$800/day ($100k-$160K/yr), which is the opportunity cost of a days work, seems worth your while.... Sorry about that last part, that is my econ degree and former financial advisor job coming out in me, lol.
All Star
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 770
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
By harness do you mean plug wires? Our trucks have a coil on top of every plug. There are plug wires on some of the engines though (depending on which engine and year) which go to the second set of plugs (so there are 16 plugs total in some engines). However, I don't think you need to change them at every 30k interval - it would get very expensive.
Professional
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: NW PA
Fuel doesn't lube the pump but it does keep it cool....that bastard will fry in a hurry especially on hot days with very low fuel. There are additives that will lube the pump though. Running completely out of gas can also cause any sludge in the tank to be sucked up...clogging the "filter" or even worse getting past it. It's just a bad thing to do...like someone stated earlier fuel up at 1/4 tank.
