If you run out of gas then put gas in your car and it turns over then back off, what could this mean?

Question

Please Help!!!! Plenty of gas was put back into the tank, but it will just turn over and them immediately cut back off. Any suggestions on what to do. Thanks for all answers.

Answer 1

You don't say what kind of car, which makes it hard to help. It probably has a mechanical fuel pump. These cars can be hard to start when they run out, especially of the pump is worn. Of course, you may not have been out of gas at all. Something could have failed. The pickup may be obstructed. I'd put yet more fuel in it. I know you say you have plenty, but that's not a very precise measurement. Is the car currently level or facing up or down on a slight incline.

Answer 2

The fuel pump was overheated, replace pump and filter.  

Answer 3

depending on what kind of car you have, you may need to pump the gas a little bit to get it from your tank to the engine

Answer 4

It is possible you will now need a new fuel pump as it run trying to pump gas that wasn't there, overheated and burnt up. If the pump is all right it will start pumping gas without any problem so check fuel filter just in case it is plugged.

Answer 5

newer cars have a closed system...running out of gas can suck up dirt/water clogging filter or burn up fuel pump....another problem can be air lock in fuel line...the air makes it so injectors don't open to allow gas in...system must be bled out...good luck..don't run under 1/4 tank

Answer 6

You have air in the fuel line and the pump is going to suck air for a while trying to get to the point where it can suck gas again.    Try leaving the key on for a few minutes before you start it.   If it has an electric fuel pump this may help purge the line of air.

You may have to just crank the engine for a few minutes until the lines are full again.        It may start and shut off a few times.    Don't crank the motor on the starter more than 20 seconds at a time.   This will heat up the starter and burn it up.    

Running a car out of gas is very hard on the components.   You should always drive on the top half of a tank and not the bottom half.   A partially full tank is home to condensation and getting water in your fuel system.     Start thinking of  1/4 or even 1/2 full as your "empty mark" and drive with a full tank as much as possible.

Good luck

RoyG

KC