3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

Runs out of gas on left turns?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-22-09, 11:19 AM
  #1  
Rotary Enthusiast

Thread Starter
iTrader: (6)
 
oppa637's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Houston
Posts: 1,246
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Runs out of gas on left turns?

So originally, The car would die at half a tank. I took the fuel assembly out, cleaned it up a bit, put it back in. Now I can go below half a tank but when the fuel gauge is at half a tank or below, when I take left turns, the engine dies, and then starts back up a little after i'm done with the left turn. Can't be normal...
Old 10-22-09, 11:36 AM
  #2  
Nearing Completion...

iTrader: (473)
 
str8ryd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 4,735
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You should look into the surge tank cover. Do you have a '93? '94+ are supposed to be better with this. A buddy of mine popped his engine while racing on low fuel making a hard turn. Be careful.
Old 10-22-09, 11:40 AM
  #3  
AponOUT!?

iTrader: (31)
 
theorie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Sarasota, FL
Posts: 3,521
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes on 9 Posts
usually that sort of thing happens at lower fuel levels when turning - that's why people insert baffles into their fuel tank or build swirl tanks.

perhaps your fuel gauge is off...and when it's "below 1/2" a tank you're really closer to running on empty. just because the gauge shows 1/2 a tank, doesn't mean you really have exactly 1/2 a tank. if something is wrong with the gauge, it could actually be closer to empty even if it reads about 1/2 a tank. who knows?

how many mpg do you think you're getting out of "1/2 a tank" if its unusually high (mid to high 20's...haha) i would investigate the gauge.
Old 10-22-09, 10:04 PM
  #4  
Full Member

 
zheka's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: North Port, Florida
Posts: 134
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i blew my seal by that!
Old 10-22-09, 10:19 PM
  #5  
Rotary Freak

iTrader: (1)
 
pomanferrari's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: San Jose
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
There is an o-ring where the pump outlet inserts into the pickup tube. If that o-ring is damaged or not inside the pickup tube, you'll have this issue.


Originally Posted by oppa637
So originally, The car would die at half a tank. I took the fuel assembly out, cleaned it up a bit, put it back in. Now I can go below half a tank but when the fuel gauge is at half a tank or below, when I take left turns, the engine dies, and then starts back up a little after i'm done with the left turn. Can't be normal...
Old 10-22-09, 11:39 PM
  #6  
Rotary Enthusiast

Thread Starter
iTrader: (6)
 
oppa637's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Houston
Posts: 1,246
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
The fuel gauge is pretty accurate. When it hits halfway, i fill up 10 gallons to full. This O ring your speaking of... is it in the orange bag thing at the bottom?
Old 10-23-09, 05:24 PM
  #7  
Rotary Freak

iTrader: (1)
 
pomanferrari's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: San Jose
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
No, it's in the top portion of the pump that goes into a metal tube where fuel is pumped out.

Originally Posted by oppa637
The fuel gauge is pretty accurate. When it hits halfway, i fill up 10 gallons to full. This O ring your speaking of... is it in the orange bag thing at the bottom?
Old 10-25-09, 04:16 PM
  #8  
Moderator

iTrader: (7)
 
dgeesaman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Fort Kickass
Posts: 12,302
Received 16 Likes on 15 Posts
Originally Posted by oppa637
So originally, The car would die at half a tank. I took the fuel assembly out, cleaned it up a bit, put it back in. Now I can go below half a tank but when the fuel gauge is at half a tank or below, when I take left turns, the engine dies, and then starts back up a little after i'm done with the left turn. Can't be normal...
Half tank is abnormally high. Fuel starvation on a properly functioning system should only happen under 1/4 tank on extended turns to the left.

I had this symptom when I was running fuel cell foam in my gas tank and the foam got damaged and clogged the fuel filter. So if you don't know the last time your filter was changed, start there.

Also worth looking into the o-ring at the top of the fuel pump. If it's not solidly sealing you can get starvation when hard on the throttle.

Dave

Last edited by dgeesaman; 10-25-09 at 04:18 PM.
Old 10-25-09, 09:06 PM
  #9  
SideWayZ The Only Way

iTrader: (11)
 
FD3S2005's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Davie, Florida
Posts: 4,854
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
pomanferrari i actually was having a problem installing mine after i put in the supra fuel pump and drove around with it off (o-ring) but only for a couple months then i took the car to pettit to get some work done and also gave him a surge cover, and told him that its missing the oring and i gave it to him to install.

but i didnt have a problem with thos couple months.. could be different for everyone and i could of just got lucky
Old 10-27-09, 04:40 PM
  #10  
Senior Member

iTrader: (6)
 
2GSLSE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Front Royal VA.
Posts: 525
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Are you sure it is losing fuel? The reason I ask is the main wire harness is in the front left wheelwell and some cars have rubbed through the liner/harness causing wierd issues. otherwise it seems strange to be starved at 1/2 tank.
Old 10-27-09, 04:56 PM
  #11  
needs more track time

iTrader: (16)
 
gracer7-rx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Bay Area CA
Posts: 9,194
Received 510 Likes on 351 Posts
Originally Posted by 2GSLSE
Are you sure it is losing fuel? The reason I ask is the main wire harness is in the front left wheelwell and some cars have rubbed through the liner/harness causing wierd issues. otherwise it seems strange to be starved at 1/2 tank.

What he said. Check that wiring harness.
Old 10-27-09, 07:07 PM
  #12  
Rotary Enthusiast

Thread Starter
iTrader: (6)
 
oppa637's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Houston
Posts: 1,246
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Changed fuel pump and not having any problems... no clue but thanks guys
Old 10-28-09, 08:39 PM
  #13  
Do it right, do it once

iTrader: (30)
 
turbojeff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Eugene, OR, usa
Posts: 4,830
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 8 Posts
Fuel starvation is common at 1/2 or lower. I auto-x my FD for years and could start getting starvation at 5/8 tank or lower, under 1/2 for sure.

93-95 FDs all have the same tank but in 94 the plastic fuel cup was modified to allow the use of the 96+ metal cover for the fuel cup, IDK if you can order the cover separately. After years of auto-xing I finally had a baffle break in the fuel tank and just bought a new tank from Mazdacomp (now Mazdaspeed Motorsports) for a 96+ car. After that I could run the tank down to about 1/4 tank without starvation problems.
Old 10-29-09, 09:11 AM
  #14  
Cheap Bastard

iTrader: (2)
 
adam c's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: San Luis Obispo, Ca
Posts: 8,370
Received 50 Likes on 42 Posts
OMG Turbojeff lives!!! A voice from the distant past................

Welcome back ................ old man
Old 10-29-09, 10:37 AM
  #15  
Junior Member

iTrader: (2)
 
Fred_Koser's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: St Petersburg, FL
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
+1 on checking the O-ring that is sandwiched between the outlet of the pump & the metal tube that carries the fuel out of the tank. There is an o-ring & a small white (now brown/yellow) plastic ring/spacer, they are prone to failure & could cause what you're describing. . .
Old 10-29-09, 09:31 PM
  #16  
Do it right, do it once

iTrader: (30)
 
turbojeff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Eugene, OR, usa
Posts: 4,830
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 8 Posts
Originally Posted by adam c
OMG Turbojeff lives!!! A voice from the distant past................

Welcome back ................ old man
LOL. I am an old fart!
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
alphawolff
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
17
11-17-15 05:57 PM
PhillyFC
General Rotary Tech Support
9
08-21-15 06:36 PM
smikels
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
3
08-18-15 01:26 PM
rx7brandon
General Rotary Tech Support
3
08-16-15 10:55 AM



Quick Reply: Runs out of gas on left turns?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:20 AM.