Think I just lost my motor. 280k miles.

[JayRolla]

Well, that's got to be a relief. I think our gas gauges being off is a pretty common thing. When mine shows empty, it only takes 14 gallons so I have a 4 gallon reserve. What's the culprit here? Is it the fuel sending unit in the tank or something else?

I also reseated every damn electrical connection under the hood. So could have been something else but I don't think so.

I think it is the sending unit but I believe even if replaced you can have the same issue. Mine has always had the 4 gallons at empty also so I thought I had few gallons still. Never had it stick like this time. Guess I won't run her so low anymore and watch mileage.

 

[traben27]

Maybe I was just out of fuel and after checking fuel didn't crank enough to get fuel flowing and start up.

I feel like a dumbass if this is the case. I'm not afraid to admit it. Lol.

When I first bought my 99 the fuel gauge was only working intermittently. On my first long drive with it out of state, it suddenly died on I15 just outside of Malad, Idaho. I had no idea what was going wrong because I had filled up only 100 miles ago. After getting it towed back into town the mechanic told me the next morning he replaced the fuel pump, but it wasn't until he added some gas that it started up. My gauge hadn't been working for a week, so I had no idea how much was in the tank that morning when I filled up. Turns out the gas pump turned off prematurely and only put 4.5 gallons in.

Basically, I ended up paying $400 bucks to find out I was out of gas...so don't feel too stupid haha.

 

[JayRolla]

Will extended test drive and no issues. Man I feel better. Since I allotted time to fix her I just cleaned her up and added my Moab sticker from my truck this summer.

 

[ltsr]

Happy to hear it wasn't serious. I'm also glad to hear that you were looking to replace the motor instead of jumping ship. We need your humor and stories about your great talon around here.

 

[JayRolla]

Happy to hear it wasn't serious. I'm also glad to hear that you were looking to replace the motor instead of jumping ship. We need your humor and stories about your great talon around here.

I was excited to do a motor replacement. Been a while. Thanks for the kind words!!

Also found this little happy hill of asphalt to flex her out.

 

[fourfive]

I think it is the sending unit but I believe even if replaced you can have the same issue. Mine has always had the 4 gallons at empty also so I thought I had few gallons still. Never had it stick like this time. Guess I won't run her so low anymore and watch mileage.

Good updates. The knocking would have thrown me off too & wouldn't have thought of low fuel. Threads like this one will be a helpful guide as our 4runners get older and start acting up.

 

[psraff]

I was excited to do a motor replacement.

Oh Good Lord! Can't believe I just read that... LOL If I had that facing me, I would be in five levels of depression and stress! Cost of new motor, Cost of new tools, the time, the lack of knowledge.

Yes, I have the shop and even a giant I-Beam rack to hoist the engine out, but besides that, I'd be lost.

Glad everything came out alright!

 

[JayRolla]

Good updates. The knocking would have thrown me off too & wouldn't have thought of low fuel. Threads like this one will be a helpful guide as our 4runners get older and start acting up.

My younger brother laughed when I told him the story. He said me knowing my truck so well that I over looked something so simple.

It was making that knocking dieseling sound. It sounded like I threw a rod.

 

[thecole1098]

Yeah, it's definitely not the best sound you could hear... I never would've thought it would sound like that when running out of fuel, but as I said on the first page that's just a characteristic of the oil pump not generating enough pressure.

 

[hounddogman]

Man , I thought all this was going to lead to a build thread on the Tacoma:jk: .Oh well. Glad it was simple .

 

[JayRolla]

Man , I thought all this was going to lead to a build thread on the Tacoma:jk: .Oh well. Glad it was simple .

That's coming. I'm about to buy some 17" scs wheels and 33s so they will be waiting for the Tacoma when I get an all pro lift with fox shocks and reservoirs all around.

 

[JayRolla]

Yeah, it's definitely not the best sound you could hear... I never would've thought it would sound like that when running out of fuel, but as I said on the first page that's just a characteristic of the oil pump not generating enough pressure.

Yes your post made me realize that's what could have happened and did happen. What sent me off course was it didn't die when driving. It started up rough first thing and I shut her down. Then adding gallon of gas still didn't work. I just didn't crank enough to prime the system since my battery was starting to die.

Either way I can admit I was a dumb ass. Even my 9 and 12 year old daughter where dieing laughing when I told them I was just out of gas.

 

[octanejunkie]

Glad it was something simple and you're able to be humble about it. Nothing wrong with overlooking the obvious as long as you catch it, eventually.

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