Only getting 15.5 gallons from my 2000 4Runner

[Ray.Klefstad]

Hi all.

I bought a 2000 4Runner last June and I absolute love it. It is a forrest green 4X4 with limited and sport packages.

One problem is I run out of gas after using 15.5 gallons. I have tested it out three times by running out of gas, then filling up. (I keep a 1 gallon tank full of gas just in case I get stuck, but have not yet done so.)

The manual says it has a 18.5 gallon tank and I would really like to go a little further than 270 miles per tank full. It acts almost like the pickup doesn't go to the bottom of the tank.

Can you give me any insight into what is going on?

Thanks

Ray Klefstad
Irvine, California

 

[Spencer]

How do you know it runs out if you have never used to the extra 1gaa tank?

 

[96743runner]

From what I have read on this forum, it seems that the 3rd gens are somewhat off on the gas gauge readings.

Mine seems to have around 2-3 extra gallons left in the tank when run to empty on the gauge. I don't think that this is anything that you should be concerned about...

 

[Spencer]

From what I have read on this forum, it seems that the 3rd gens are somewhat off on the gas gauge readings.

Mine seems to have around 2-3 extra gallons left in the tank when run to empty on the gauge. I don't think that this is anything that you should be concerned about...

Yep after my light comes on and I'm on e always have 3gals

 

[bgmac]

The fuel pump doesn't sit on the bottom of the tank like most other vehicles, which is why you end up having 2-3 gallons still in your tank. Its actually a good thing because you dont have to worry about sedement clogging up your fuel pump/fuel filter.

 

[Ray.Klefstad]

How do you know it runs out if you have never used to the extra 1gaa tank?

It is not the gas guage. The reserve light comes on after 200 miles, then I have 70 more miles (which is about 4 gallons at 17 MPG) as many of you have also experienced.

I then drove it until it bogged or stalled, then I restarted and was able to make it to a gas station. There are gas stations on every corner many areas around where I live.

After clearly running out of gas, when I fill up it only takes 15.5 gallons of new gas until the tank is full - same experience three times in a row.

270 miles per tank full just isn't very far to go, so I'm filling up all the time.

I'm 3 gallons short of getting the 18.5 advertised gallons of tank capacity.

Ray

 

[ToyTech99]

It is not the gas guage. The reserve light comes on after 200 miles, then I have 70 more miles (which is about 4 gallons at 17 MPG) as many of you have also experienced.

I then drove it until it bogged or stalled, then I restarted and was able to make it to a gas station. There are gas stations on every corner many areas around where I live.

After clearly running out of gas, when I fill up it only takes 15.5 gallons of new gas until the tank is full - same experience three times in a row.

270 miles per tank full just isn't very far to go, so I'm filling up all the time.

I'm 3 gallons short of getting the 18.5 advertised gallons of tank capacity.

Ray

Maybe your gas station's pump isn't accurate. Usually an inaccurate pump is in the gas station's favor, but in this case you might be getting more gas then you're paying for. Have you tried more than one gas station to verify the result?

BTW, if you drive until the vehicle stalls and then you can restart the engine and drive some more, then you're not actually out of gas. The fuel system in these vehicles is a little more complex than a lawn mower that tends to partially stall as the fuel tank empties. Under normal operating conditions, your engine only uses a small percentage of the fuel pumped into the fuel rail and the exess is returned to the tank. So if your engines stops because of a lack of fuel, then it should not restart at all until more fuel is added to the tank. You might actually have a fuel system problem. The first thing I would look at is the regulator and the fuel pressure.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Most 3rd gen owners fillup with 15 to just over 16 gallons which is when mine even is just below the E level and I get worried about running out and then when I fill I get about 15.5-16 and the same is pretty consistent with my mom and her '99 Limited.

The tank is 18 gallons but there will be a tad less then 2 gallons left in the tank even if you run it "dry". And really all you have is maybe another 30 miles in the tank that you can't use.

 

[Ray.Klefstad]

Maybe your gas station's pump isn't accurate. Usually an inaccurate pump is in the gas station's favor, but in this case you might be getting more gas then you're paying for. Have you tried more than one gas station to verify the result?

BTW, if you drive until the vehicle stalls and then you can restart the engine and drive some more, then you're not actually out of gas. The fuel system in these vehicles is a little more complex than a lawn mower that tends to partially stall as the fuel tank empties. Under normal operating conditions, your engine only uses a small percentage of the fuel pumped into the fuel rail and the exess is returned to the tank. So if your engines stops because of a lack of fuel, then it should not restart at all until more fuel is added to the tank. You might actually have a fuel system problem. The first thing I would look at is the regulator and the fuel pressure.

Yes, three different gas stations. It is only using 15.5 gallons then it runs out of gas - the engine stops while I am driving.

It doesn't seem like a fuel delivery problem. It is only able to pick up 15.5 gallons from an 18.5 gallon tank. It runs out of gas after using 15.5 gallons. It runs great all the time up to reaching 15.5 gallons used out of the full tank.

I was hoping someone else had seen this problem, but so far, it seems my problem is unique. Are there any experts or toyota mechanics on this forum?

I know the problem is either 1) the tank is not 18.5 gallons or 2) the fuel pickup is not reaching down to the bottom of the tank.

It is rediculous not to be able to use the last 3 gallons of my gas tank - sediment or not. Besides, that is what the fuel filter is for.

I would remove and inspect the tank myself (to see about possibility #2), but I know that is a dirty 4 hour job, so I would rather not jump in until I get more information.

Here is something that would be useful to me: is there anyone out there with a simliar 2000 year T4R 4X4 that has run their tank so as to use close to 18.5 gallons on fill-up?

Ray

 

[Pikeman]

I have a 98 and most fill ups are the usual 15.5-16 gal however I did keep running it one time and got 17.5 gal to fill up. As far as the fuel tank being a 4 hour job I think that is about double what it should take to remove and replace. Also it is one of those little known facts that most cars are designed to go approx. 300 miles to tank. That is why Civics and corollas etc have 11-12 gal tanks since they get about 30mpg. Full size trucks have 30 gal tanks and get about 11 mpg.

 

[p nut]

Miles per tank means jack crap. What you SHOULD be worried about is the miles per GALLON. Try to calculate that. Fill up. Drive. Fill up and divide the number of miles by the number of gallons you just filled up. For strict city driving, I am around 15-16MPG. Around the highway, I'm at 20MPG. I do have 32's, though. With stock tires, I was at 16-17MPG city and 21MPG highway.

 

[p nut]

Also it is one of those little known facts that most cars are designed to go approx. 300 miles to tank. That is why Civics and corollas etc have 11-12 gal tanks since they get about 30mpg. Full size trucks have 30 gal tanks and get about 11 mpg.

My Civic can hit at least 500 miles per tank (none of that hypermiling crap, either). My average MPG is 48. VTEC-E is awesome.

 

[JohnsD90]

I have a 98 and most fill ups are the usual 15.5-16 gal however I did keep running it one time and got 17.5 gal to fill up. As far as the fuel tank being a 4 hour job I think that is about double what it should take to remove and replace. Also it is one of those little known facts that most cars are designed to go approx. 300 miles to tank. That is why Civics and corollas etc have 11-12 gal tanks since they get about 30mpg. Full size trucks have 30 gal tanks and get about 11 mpg.

I got 240miles out of gas in the defender, and 650miles still goin in the Jetta TDI

 

[RonMAIDEN]

It is rediculous not to be able to use the last 3 gallons of my gas tank - sediment or not. Besides, that is what the fuel filter is for.

Ray

You still don't want the fuel pump sitting on the bottom even with a filter since if the filter was to filter that sedment that is on the bottom of the tank the filter would clog really quick and it's not like you can change it regularly.

If you run any vehicle to "dry" and remove the tank you'll pour out over a gallon or two.

You do seem to have a unique issue unfortunatly which might include a faulty pump or maybe the pump shifted somehow.

 

[004Gunner]

Yes, three different gas stations. It is only using 15.5 gallons then it runs out of gas - the engine stops while I am driving.

Here is something that would be useful to me: is there anyone out there with a simliar 2000 year T4R 4X4 that has run their tank so as to use close to 18.5 gallons on fill-up?

Ray

Yeah gas station pumps are regulated by the department of weights and measures so I don't doubt that your fill up volume is accurate.

The most I have ever put in my tank was 17 gallons. I was sputtering on the way to the gas station for the last half mile but made it without the engine dying. I don't fill my tank with less than 15 gallons but that does mean I have to drive with the fuel light on for a little while. So based on my experience, something is wrong with your tank.

 

[JohnsD90]

Yeah gas station pumps are regulated by the department of weights and measures so I don't doubt that your fill up volume is accurate.

The most I have ever put in my tank was 17 gallons. I was sputtering on the way to the gas station for the last half mile but made it without the engine dying. I don't fill my tank with less than 15 gallons but that does mean I have to drive with the fuel light on for a little while. So based on my experience, something is wrong with your tank.

i got 15.5 gallons in at 1/4 tank, no light, it was quarter tank the whole ride out, so i didnt park on a hill or crap like that.

 

[Jordan Petry]

Thats strange, in my 4Runner I have put in over 18.5 gallons. Granted I did top it off and was running on fumes when I got there. I don't typically top it off, only if I'm making a trip to Kansas City from St. Louis and vice versa and don't wanna have to stop and fill up.

 

[ToyTech99]

Are there any experts or toyota mechanics on this forum?



Ray

Um... I am a Toyota mechanic. You chose to dismiss my advice, which if fine with me. But just in case you reconsider, I'll repeat what I said before----

If your vehicle stalls out and you are able to restart it and drive to the nearest gas station, then you are not out of gas. Your 4Runner uses a recirculating fuel system. If your vehicle stalls (which makes it seem that you are out of gas) and restarts, then you probably have a fuel system problem. Modern vehicles do not usually stall as they are running out of gas, they stall when all the fuel is gone, including the reserve.

Have I seen this problem before? Yes, several times on different Toyota vehicles. Is it unique to Toyotas? No, not from my experience. Have someone check your fuel line pressure. It should be at least 60 (and up to 90) PSI in a deadhead test. Of course the regulator will control the line pressure in response to engine vacuum. But you need to take the first steps first to figure out what's going on. If you have low fuel pressure, it can be caused by something as simple as a clogged fuel filter or the filter sock in the tank. Of you can have a bad pressure regulator or a restricted fuel line (unlikely if your problem only happens when the tank is near empty), or even a weak pump.

Or you can drop your tank and start messing with the fuel tank pickup because you believe it's not position correctly. But don't get annoyed when you get it all back together and it still acts the same way! Trust me, diagnose your problem the correct way and you'll save yourself time, effort, and probably money.

 

[004Gunner]

i got 15.5 gallons in at 1/4 tank, no light, it was quarter tank the whole ride out, so i didnt park on a hill or crap like that.

Yeah your year 4Runner doesn't have any fuel system issues. 2000 seems to be the most problematic and it is documented that the problem is specifically the fuel sender unit. I have suggested that there be a sticky in the 3rd gen forum for fuel gauge issues, but nothing yet. At least the rear sag made it to sticky status.

 

[Ray.Klefstad]

Miles per tank means jack crap. What you SHOULD be worried about is the miles per GALLON. Try to calculate that. Fill up. Drive. Fill up and divide the number of miles by the number of gallons you just filled up. For strict city driving, I am around 15-16MPG. Around the highway, I'm at 20MPG. I do have 32's, though. With stock tires, I was at 16-17MPG city and 21MPG highway.

I don't see how this is relevant to my question. I always track my milage and generally get 17 miles per gallon. I use a variety of stations and there are some that are not honest - mostly the ones that have the cheapest price on gas. I find that Costco has the most honest pumps around where I live in Southern California.

I drive 600 to 800 miles per week many weeks - almost all freeway miles - rarely in slow traffic, so I have plenty of chances to measure my mileage, compare different gas stations for honesty, and to measure my tank capacity.

The point is, my gas tank behaves like it only holds 15.5 gallons until I run out of gas - not the 18.5 that is advertised as its holding capacity.

Ray