Hi Scotty. I own a 1976 FJ40 Land Cruiser with the original 2F engine and stock carburetor. It is mostly original but does have an added auxiliary tank (simple toggle switch to change tanks). The fuel gauge works for the main tank but not the auxiliary tank. Is it harmful to my engine, fuel pump, or anything else if I run the auxiliary tank until I run out of fuel and then switch to the main tank? Thank you for your help and welcome to Tennessee (I'm in Knoxville).
Respectfully,
Derek
The old FJs had the fuel pump on the engine block. It's mechanical, not electric. The only problem I could see is if you have a bunch of crud in the bottom of the tank that got sucked into the system. At minimum I would replace the filter (in the engine compartment) and put a gauge on the fuel pump to see if it's still good.
You are correct and apparently know about the old FJ40s. Good advice. Thanks!
It’s generally not good to run out of gas but at the same time it shouldn’t do any harm to anything. Worst I’ve seen on a carburetorated vehicle is the float can become stuck causing no fuel to inject when it’s run to low
Thanks for the info!
I wouldn't let it run out completely. The gas helps lubricate the fuel pump, so letting it run completely empty will burn it out.
For the pool owners out there lol, it's the same idea behind priming your pool pump with water...letting it run dry will burn it out.
Most, but not all, carbed vehicles use a mechanical fuel pump run off a cam eccentric on the engine. Of course when the engine runs out of fuel the pump stops.
Some do have electric pumps but those generally will have a safety cutoff that shuts off the pump when the engine stops. (For example the Chevy Vega had an electric pump that would cut off when oil pressure dropped. A lot of those were sold for cheap by disgusted owners who had had enough when the oil pressure sender failed and the engine wouldn't run after the starter cut out.)
is it an in-tank pump?
