So, I've been on "E" and I try filling up and I only get 10 gallons. I've tried rotating the pump angle (silly, but people have told me to try), and pumping really slowly.

When I try pumping slowly, I can get a little more gas but not my expected 18.5 gallons.

I've used fuel injection cleaner a few times notices small increases in performance, but not capacity.

Anyone have a solution? Something in the tank? Fuel Pump? Sending Unit?

Thanks!

 

There was a fuel gauge issue on 99-00 4runners, but I'm not sure about 97 4runners. Search for "fillup" or "fuel gauge" or "gas tank" and you might find some answers.

Also check and see that your gas tank is not dented.

 

i'm guessing either dent or sender issue....

 

Definitely a sender issue, or a dented tank. A dented tank is obviously the easiest to check, so look under there and see whats going on.

If the tank is not damaged, you have a sender (or fuel gauge itself) issue. All 3rd gen 4Runners came with the same size tank, so you should be putting 12-14+ gallons in if on E.

Keep in mind, you will never put in your tanks capacity, because in order for that to happen, the tank has to be BONE DRY. As in, remove the tank, dump it upside down empty. And if you are "BONE" dry, your 4Runner isn't going to be moving anywhere any time soon.

 

If I refuel when the low light comes on it'll take ~12 gal. I can, and usualy do, drive anothe 60 miles and it'll take ~15 gal. Once I tran it for about 100 miles after the light came on and it still only took ~17 gal.

 

Gents:
Thanks for the prompt response. I looked under the truck and I think that there is a dent. Even so, is this going to cause me to loose 8 gallons?

I've have driven on E before, and I carry 2 gallons of gas with me. I've been thinking about running out of gas, and then trying to fill up completely. I also plan to use more Fuel Injection Cleaner on the same tank that is going to run out. I only plan to do this once. Should I even try?

Thanks again

 

The gas gauges on all of my Toyota trucks have been used as guidelines only.

 

It's a bad idea to run the tank completely out. You get it the bottom of your tank over time and if you run it all the way down it sucks that out and into the fuel system. The dent in the tank isn't going to make you "loose" 8 gallons. Your vehical just seems to like to have the needle drop to E sooner that a it should. You have about 18.5 gallons worth of fuel in there. From reading your posts it seemed like you're convinced it isn't hold enough fuel.

You may want to use your odometer as more of a refuel gauge. In town I refuel between 280-300 miles with my 98 5-speed.

 

Running a tank all the way out won't hurt your pump if you do it only once or twice. The reason for wanting a few gallons left is pumps run hot and the fuel surrounding them keeps them cooler. Running your tank to empty on a regular basis can overheat your pump.
The sender is reading wrong I would guess. Keep that gas can with your and run it another 125 miles after it says you're empty, the see how much it takes to fill it up. Then you'll know if it's the tank or the sender. Your gauge could be wrong too. Did you do something to your truck before the problem started?

 

i know my gas gauge is getting worse and worse in my 88 p/u, check the sending unit

 

My fuel guage straight up doesn't work anymore. But my light does. It comes on around 12-13 gallons used. When i first got it it came on around 15-16 gallons used.

Lets just say it has a lot of very big dents in it.

 

I just bought it 3 weeks ago. I got it from the used dealership when it was almost on E, so I filled up to 10 gallons. So basically I noticed this right away.

I have been using Fuel Injection Cleaner, and I think I am going to try driving +100 miles once. I just need to know that it can hold 17 gallons or so. I do plan on driving through the desert

Also, anyone know if the '97 have a "dumb " light? Like I said, I didn't see one come one, when I was on E. Maybe the sensor knows there is 8 gallons left?

thanks

 

try resetting the gauge reading, it normally comes on at 13-14 gallons used and you can go 60 miles more from there. There was a thread recently on this.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/f...-issue-163080/
Yes you should have a gas light come on.

 

Oh man, the digital trickery with computers! I read that thread and thought it was rediculous, but I guess it's worth a shot.

 

I think this is only for '99-'02 4Runners.

 

Shoulda had the dealership pay to fill it up for you.

My buddy got a good size dent in his tank and he "lost" about 3-4 gallons

 

Mine is funny like the OP. If I just fill to the "click", it gets me about 250 miles. If I do the top off thing (you know the one that kills baby seals and small birds), I can get about 2 more gallons in. The most I ever ran before worrying was 325 miles in a serious head wind. Then I filled again with "topping off".

The 4runner tank is by far the most finicky of all vehicles ever owned by me. Some here have opined that topping off will fill the charcoal canister and cause problems. Personally, I never had a problem. I only do the "super fill" for long trips across Wyoming. I can get from Denver to Casper on one tank at 75MPH.

On the fillup side, if I fill while the truck is running (I know, kills baby seals), it won't go all the way to full unless I turn it off then back on.

Just one of those 4runner things.

 

When mine goes just below the last line and the lights bene on for the last 40 miles mine almost always consistently fills up with 15-15.5 gallons and the most I've3 ever filled up with was just over 16 gallons.

 

My Light comes on around 13gal or after driving about 220miles. I have gotten just over 300 miles on the highway on a tank so I just don't believe anything the gauge or light says.