Ran out of Gas, Wont start

[Kayden240]

Hey guys I have an interesting situation and its really important I find out what it is cuz I got a new job as an EMT and worked way to hard for it to be fired cuz of car trouble.

So heres the long story. I bought the car with the gas gauge broken and with the cluster in Kilometers. So ive been managing my gas by miles and miscalculated the mileage and ran out of gas. So i went to the gas station and got a gas can with 1 gallon of gas and put it in my car. Took me a few tries but I got it running.

When it started up it sounded like it had a blown head, it doesnt, but thats how it was ideling. Eventually I got it to a gas station and filled it up along with some fuel system cleaner since I know there is gunk at the bottom of tanks. Anyways I started her up and she ideled perfect.

As soon as I start driving it did that head gasket kind of rumble and then stalled. I couldnt start her after that. The engine sounded like it was going to start but never would. so i thought it was the relay, took it out for about 10mins while I waited for a friend to get me. When he got there he wanted to hear how it sounded so I put the relay back in a it started up perfect with no problems ( well other than that damn timing chain thing noise, thats not important atm tho)

The issue is. WTF HAPPENED! i drive 2 hours to work a day so I need to know so it doesnt happen to me again. Any ideas? I was thinking just excessive air in the lines. But i really need to know.

Thanks for your help guys =]

[PyR0NiAk]

My first guess would be fuel pump failure. This could've happened for 2 reasons. 1st, they use the gas to cool, so when your gas gets extremely low and they're running, they over heat. 2nd, you could've clogged the filter with the "gunk" at the bottom of the tank and, you guessed it, burnt it up. To remove your pump, pull the carpet in the trunk up and you'll see a circle with a bunch of bolts. Remove cover, unplug fuel pump, and then test fuel pump. See if it'll get power by touching it to a spare car battery. Red to positive and black to negative.

Edit: You can also test by unplugging your fuel line before the filter, and inserting it into a gas jug. Have someone turn on the key and then tell them to turn it off once you get fuel flow. If you get fuel flow, your next step will be to see if your filter is clogged. Put the filter on the line and then do the same thing. If you got fuel flow without the filter, but not WITH the filter, your filter is clogged. Try these and update me in this thread. If these don't show your problem, I have some other things you can do.

[speedeast]

This could be as simple as bad gas (moisture). I would change out the fuel filter and run a can of 'Seafoam' through the system to clean things out better. (filters are only like $7)

^Fuel pump could be a culprit. You can actually put your ear down next to it while somebody switches the key on and listen for a hum.

This is very far fetch'd, but it has happened to me on a different car... The connector that connects the sending unit to the Main harness could have fried and there could be a connection issue.

Summary: time for a thorough tune-up.

[PyR0NiAk]

This could be as simple as bad gas (moisture). I would change out the fuel filter and run a can of 'Seafoam' through the system to clean things out better. (filters are only like $7)

^Fuel pump could be a culprit. You can actually put your ear down next to it while somebody switches the key on and listen for a hum.

This is very far fetch'd, but it has happened to me on a different car... The connector that connects the sending unit to the Main harness could have fried and there could be a connection issue.

Summary: time for a thorough tune-up.

Humming doesn't mean you have a clogged fuel filter. Humming means your fuel pump is priming. Speedeast, while I know you have good intentions, my guess is this guy isn't HEAVILY experienced. Try to go into a little more detail.

[Kayden240]

Thanks so much for responding. Im going to borrow a friends car tomorrow but on Saturday morning im going to pull that up and check it. If its bad, thats the problem and ill buy a new one. if its good, im still gonna buy a new one lol Ill let you know what goes down. thanks again.

[PyR0NiAk]

If you have good fuel flow, another thing that could have crapped is the fuel pressure regulator. It's the round thing at the end of the fuel rail.

[Kayden240]

Sadly not with a 240sx. but I am experienced greatly in DSMs haha of course that doesnt matter here xD. I will check out all of this and let you all know on saturday, keep the ideas coming I dont mind =].

Its running right now by the way, got it home just fine.

I wont be able to check it out til Saturday but I will keep you all informed on my progress.

As for seafoam. My friend just used that and destroyed his carburetor cuz some gunk was sealing something so IDK if i wanna do that lol

[seang]

Don't forget to check the fuel pump fuse, either.

[Kayden240]

LOL checked that first. its good. HAHA funny cuz i know people never check fuses first.

[PyR0NiAk]

LOL checked that first. its good. HAHA funny cuz i know people never check fuses first.

You mentioned the relay, so I assumed you had already checked the fuse.

I'd almost bet money that filter is clogged. Z32 (300zx) fuel filters are like $10 at autozone.

[Kayden240]

well hope your right cuz its something i cant fix im just gonna go to a dealership and buy a brand new car. I dont wanna spend that kind of money for the next 72 months of my life but if thats what i gotta do to get to work...

[PyR0NiAk]

Want to sell the car?

Year??Body style?Which engine?Rust?Clean/salvage title?

[Kayden240]

1990 240sxManuelKA24 bout 40k miles give or take.HatchbackNo rust I know of.Megan Racing ExhuastMegan Racing Short Shifter 60% reduction =] Love it.Gutted back seats and interior

[PyR0NiAk]

Price?

Did you try the things I suggested?

[Kayden240]

I cant til tomorrow morning. Just got off work and I will not work on my car in the dark, never ends well lol

[speedeast]

Humming doesn't mean you have a clogged fuel filter. Humming means your fuel pump is priming. Speedeast, while I know you have good intentions, my guess is this guy isn't HEAVILY experienced. Try to go into a little more detail.

I know. I was just letting him know how to check if the pump itself is working.

Also, if it runs at all, it's not the fuse or the fuel pump because it obviously has pressure. If it ran completely out of fuel and you had a couple issues with it running at first, that's normal. I'm not sure if your fuel pump has a "sock," I imagine it does. It could have gotten clogged when you ran dry and then the gunk broke free or got sucked in with some new fuel, hesitating at first. Even if it kept running, I would change the fuel filter. I think you're golden though, bro.

[PyR0NiAk]

The fuel pump could be failing...

[Kayden240]

ok changed the filter and all looks good...but I barely drove 3 miles my engine was at the hot on the temp gauge and I was hearing what sounded like a ticker lift....

[PyR0NiAk]

oil starvation... Check your oil...

[Kayden240]

and ya way low on oil. lol man i bought this car so i wouldnt have to check on tht all the time LOL. thanks for all your help guys!

[speedeast]

Sometimes it's just Murphy's Law.