Fuel tank issue - Diesel Forum

Silver08 · 01-02-2013, 11:38 AM

I just bought a 2012 f250 swb 4x4 and have done two fill ups. Each one I hve put in 22 gallons and the gauge is right at the red line and has 10 miles to empty.
I know these are supposed to be 28 gallon tanks but to only put 22 gallons in it when it's on empty I just don't get.
When I fill it up its poring out the spout so I know I'm filling it up all the way.
Has anyone else had these issues or know what it could be.
I'm wondering if its the gauge is not reading right.
I wouldn't think it would hve a 22 or 24 gal tank in it.

RT · 01-02-2013, 11:58 AM

Diesel foams a lot. It can take 20 minutes to fill a tank up if you keep waiting for the foam to settle before you start filling again. On the 99-03 models, the fill tube goes several inches below the top of the tank - cutting that down is called the Harpoon mod and allows one to fill up faster. I haven't had a 2012 tank apart, but I suspect you have a similar issue.

cwtex04 · 01-02-2013, 12:41 PM

I experienced the same thing on both the stock tank and the Titan tank. I think it does that to keep people from running out. Nothing worse on a diesel than sucking off the bottom of the tank or running out of fuel.

cwtex04

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Silver08 · 01-02-2013, 01:03 PM

Well I have two 2008 f-250 and one has the factory tank and I can run it to 5 miles to empty and I can put 29 gallons in it so I'm also filling the tub up.
My second 08 would do the same before I put the Titan tank in it now when I Get to 50 to 100 miles to empty I've ran it out twice so far,
but I'm having it checked out next week.
I will be taking the 12 in tomorrow to be checked out. I was just seeing if anyone has had these issues with y'all's.

rforsythe · 01-02-2013, 02:36 PM

On the 6.0 I think 'E' actually means a couple gallons minimum are left in the tank. Still, I try not to run it down that low. Keeping the tank higher is good for multiple reasons.

Silver08 · 01-02-2013, 02:56 PM

I normally fill up at 50 miles to E or a 1/8 of a tank. But when the first tank did it I wanted to test it again and when I head back to work and go out west I will need every bit of 26 gallons cause there isn't any gas stations out there and some times I can be coming Bck In pushing it. So I would like it to be correct or fixed.

rforsythe · 01-02-2013, 03:59 PM

I think being at E with a small reserve in the tank is "correct" by Ford's definition of the term. If you want an absolute empty indicator, pretty sure the truck isn't going to tell you. But if you can find the reserve amount at E and know your mileage, you should be able to ballpark how much farther you can go at least. Would suggest carrying a jerry can or something though if it's that tight for you, running the fuel system empty makes components unhappy. At your 50 miles to E mark, pull over and add a spare 5-6 gal and go on your way.

FordCustomerService · 01-02-2013, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver08

Well I have two 2008 f-250 and one has the factory tank and I can run it to 5 miles to empty and I can put 29 gallons in it so I'm also filling the tub up.
My second 08 would do the same before I put the Titan tank in it now when I Get to 50 to 100 miles to empty I've ran it out twice so far,
but I'm having it checked out next week.
I will be taking the 12 in tomorrow to be checked out. I was just seeing if anyone has had these issues with y'all's.

Swinging by your dealership is the ideal first step, Silver08. Let us know what your service tech's verdict was.

Crystal

texascyclist · 01-02-2013, 11:03 PM

Silver08, the swb trucks have 26 gallon tanks in them. I've not run out yet and have run as much as 15 miles beyond DTE zero while pulling a 40' 5ver, although I did put 25.6 (+/-) gallons in it after finding a station.

Also, on the subject of not "sucking off the bottom of the tank", hogwash. The pickup in the tank ALWAYS pulls off the bottom of the tank. This line of reasoning would infer that the tank has a large amount of contaminants in it and that somehow you're protecting yourself by having a bunch of fuel in the tank to keep the contaminants suspended or diluted and thus not "sucked" up. Filling earlier than what is required to be confident that you can get fuel before running out is merely wanting to spend more time standing next to a fuel pump. I rarely pull into a station with more than 10 miles to empty, the more you get out of each tank the fewer fill-ups you'll require in the end.

Painted Horse · 01-03-2013, 09:50 AM

Set one of your trips each time you fill up. ( I reset the "A Trip " each fill up. I find the gallons used to be fairly close to the actual amount I can put into the tank. On several occasion when I've been paying cash, and I've had to pre-pay and the clerk ask how much do you want. I've give the trip reading and been almost exactly right for the amount I needed to prepay.

With a little practice you will figure out how much is left you tank when it reads empty.

For that matter, You could put a 5 gal jug in the bed and just drive till you run out and see how far past empty you can go. If you run out, Basically treat it like you just changed the fuel filters. KOKO 6 to 10 times and then try cranking.

The one time I ran out, My truck said, 1 mile to empty and pulled into the fuel stop and the engine died as I was idling waiting for the car in front to pull out. I had to push my truck forward the car length to get up to the pump and it took 37.5 gallons. So I was dry.