Ran out of gas, can't start after adding a few gallons

[ejbliss]

I have a 1987 Subaru GL 4WD 1.8 FI. I was on the freeway, realize I was running out of gas. I made it off the freeway but ran out of gas a few blocks before I made it to gas station. I got my canister, added about 3 gallons to the tank but it still doesn't start. It's trying but just doesn't want to start.

 

I would think 3 gallons would be enough, could this be symptomatic of something worse? I wasn't having any issue before I ran out of gas, it fired up like a champ.

 

Any insight and help will be appreciated.

 

Thanks.

[monstaru]

you might try an unplugging the pump then plugging it back in.cheers, brian

[DrKrazy]

You could of also sucked some junk from the bottom of the tank into the pump or filter. I would check the pump (turn the key to the run position and you should be able to hear it run for a second or two, may need to open your back passenger door to hear it), if that's running I would check for gas at the fuel filter...and replace if needed.

[ejbliss]

You could of also sucked some junk from the bottom of the tank into the pump or filter. I would check the pump (turn the key to the run position and you should be able to hear it run for a second or two, may need to open your back passenger door to hear it), if that's running I would check for gas at the fuel filter...and replace if needed.

 

I know what you are talking about. I heard the pump kick in maybe once or twice when I turned the key repeatedly to get it to start.

[zyewdall]

It could have filled all the lines with air, and now it has to push all that air out of the injector. I'm not sure exactly how to bleed the air on a gas engine, but it's a big problem on diesels if you run them out of fuel (BTDT ). And usually you do have to bleed them. I would think that the injector in a gas engine, being an electrically driven injector not a pressure driven injector, might clean itself out eventually if you keep cranking, but not sure.

 

Oddly, I've never run a fuel injected car out of gas, so I really don't know....

 

Z

[ezapar]

Are you sure you ran out of has? A broken timing belt will act the same way.

[j2coe]

did it sort of sputter of and on briefly when it quit or was it just dead? sputter probably out of gas, just died could be the belt like zapper said.

[GeneralDisorder]

Check the passenger side timing belt, and check that the screw didn't fall out of the distributor rotor under the cap (both common).

 

Otherwise it may be the pump, or just air in the lines and you need to crank it. Try holding the pedal all the way to the floor while cranking - this will put the ECU into flood clear mode in case you have somehow flooded the engine .

 

Anyway - those are my first thoughts.

 

GD

[WoodsWagon]

check that the screw didn't fall out of the distributor rotor under the cap GD

 

Feels exactly like running out of gas. It'll die, pull hard again, sputter, then run down to being solidly dead but will spit and fart every now and then. I was towed to a gas station before, filled it up, and it still wouldn't start. That little screw was lying in the bottom of the disty.