Engine Cut Out On Low Fuel

Peter W · Feb 9th, 2015, 11:37

On more than two occasions now, my engine has cut out when reaching low diesel fuel, at a quarter of a tank with 100 miles to go, before any warning light.
Could this be sludge at the bottom of the fuel tank getting into the fuel line or a sender unit malfunctioning or what ?
I am concerned, can anyone shed any light on this?

reggit · Feb 9th, 2015, 11:53

Most likely your in tank pump is knackered, or the transfer pipe has a kink in it or come off. As the tank is a saddle, the car can't access the last 1/8th ish of fuel if it has died.

I've just had to change mine as it was intermittently playing up.

Peter W · Feb 9th, 2015, 12:44

Is that expensive?

cheshired5 · Feb 9th, 2015, 14:02

If it's just a kink in the pipe it could be free DIY, just time consuming and smelly.
A garage will likely say you need a new pump regardless and will charge maybe £400 all in.

reggit · Feb 9th, 2015, 18:58

New pump cost me £245 and DIY fitting.

Does your car give an 'engine service required' with the yellow triangle when giving it some (with more fuel in it)? That's what mine did, it was caused by low fuel pressure when the pump was sulking.

Peter W · Feb 10th, 2015, 13:08

No, it just cut out with no warning at 60mph, bit scary at night on a dual carriageway, I coasted into an emergency lay by.
With help from more fuel from AA, assisted on power to the battery, it spluttered into life, I drove to a service station and refueled to a full tank and have had no problem since.
However the car is at the garage today anyway and so I've asked them to inspect.

Mangaan · Feb 14th, 2015, 20:37

Had the same thing today. Maybe it's the fuel level sensor. I asked my friend to bring me 20l of fuel and when I got home I filled it up with another 49l. The fuel tank capacity should be 70 litres so it had maximum of 1-2 litres left in the bottom of the tank.

Mangaan · Feb 15th, 2015, 08:01

I forgot to mention that the fuel gauge was just going to be on the red area and the low fuel warning light wasn't even on.

danielm85948 · Feb 15th, 2015, 11:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mangaan

I forgot to mention that the fuel gauge was just going to be on the red area and the low fuel warning light wasn't even on.

bad thing to do to a fuel pump any type , as it needs fuel to stop it overheating and burning out.

Mangaan · Feb 15th, 2015, 12:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielm85948

bad thing to do to a fuel pump any type , as it needs fuel to stop it overheating and burning out.

I know but I had no idea the car was running out. the computer showed 200 miles left.

Feb 9th, 2015, 11:37	#1
Peter W New Member Last Online: Aug 6th, 2021 02:21 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: St. Neots	Engine Cut Out On Low Fuel On more than two occasions now, my engine has cut out when reaching low diesel fuel, at a quarter of a tank with 100 miles to go, before any warning light. Could this be sludge at the bottom of the fuel tank getting into the fuel line or a sender unit malfunctioning or what ? I am concerned, can anyone shed any light on this?

Feb 9th, 2015, 11:53	#2
reggit Premier Member Last Online: Apr 25th, 2024 19:56 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Preston	Most likely your in tank pump is knackered, or the transfer pipe has a kink in it or come off. As the tank is a saddle, the car can't access the last 1/8th ish of fuel if it has died. I've just had to change mine as it was intermittently playing up. __________________ 2009 Volvo V70 D5 (Polestar 225bhp) r-design 180,000 miles

Feb 9th, 2015, 14:02	#4
cheshired5 Premier Member Last Online: Dec 26th, 2021 13:42 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Crewe	If it's just a kink in the pipe it could be free DIY, just time consuming and smelly. A garage will likely say you need a new pump regardless and will charge maybe £400 all in. __________________ 2002 S60 SE D5 Manual 209000 miles

Feb 9th, 2015, 18:58	#5
reggit Premier Member Last Online: Apr 25th, 2024 19:56 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Preston	New pump cost me £245 and DIY fitting. Does your car give an 'engine service required' with the yellow triangle when giving it some (with more fuel in it)? That's what mine did, it was caused by low fuel pressure when the pump was sulking. __________________ 2009 Volvo V70 D5 (Polestar 225bhp) r-design 180,000 miles

Feb 9th, 2015, 12:44	#3
Peter W New Member Last Online: Aug 6th, 2021 02:21 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: St. Neots	Is that expensive?

Feb 10th, 2015, 13:08	#6
Peter W New Member Last Online: Aug 6th, 2021 02:21 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: St. Neots	No, it just cut out with no warning at 60mph, bit scary at night on a dual carriageway, I coasted into an emergency lay by. With help from more fuel from AA, assisted on power to the battery, it spluttered into life, I drove to a service station and refueled to a full tank and have had no problem since. However the car is at the garage today anyway and so I've asked them to inspect.

Feb 14th, 2015, 20:37	#7
Mangaan New Member Last Online: Apr 7th, 2015 16:55 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Tartu	Had the same thing today. Maybe it's the fuel level sensor. I asked my friend to bring me 20l of fuel and when I got home I filled it up with another 49l. The fuel tank capacity should be 70 litres so it had maximum of 1-2 litres left in the bottom of the tank.

Feb 15th, 2015, 08:01	#8
Mangaan New Member Last Online: Apr 7th, 2015 16:55 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Tartu	I forgot to mention that the fuel gauge was just going to be on the red area and the low fuel warning light wasn't even on.

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