Hesitation on empty tank.

[ToyPick]

Alright so I've been looking around a lot and asking questions, and am not getting any concluding answers.

Its quite simple the truck runs fine in general no issues, since about 2 years and it starts up fine cold or warm weather.

The problem is, when the tank gets just about to quarter if I start up quick from a stop, the engine stops accelerating then resumes acceleration gradually and sometimes it just keeps happening 'til I shift it. Once I reach cruising speed it stops doing that.

Another thing that is becoming more of an issue now that I go to school in an area with many steep hills, I can't climb hills, its like the gas ends up at the bottom end of the tank and that the pump can't get to it. Sometimes I struggle up a hill with a few acceleration spikes all the way up.

So what is happening exactly? The pump seems fine.

[jetwhine]

Toypick,

Well I have a few thoughts.
1) Has your rig been tampered with as far as the fuel tank is concerend. In other words is your tank stock?
2) The up hill and acceleration issue sounds like the pump is cavatatiing when the fuel moves to the back of the tank when low.
3) When it reads 1/4 tank how far can you go before you run out?
4)) Also in the tank there is a holding pit around the fuel pump to keep that type of problem from happening. So maybe that has come loose and the fuel moves to the back of the tank and causes fuel pump cavitation on a low fuel level.

[ToyPick]

Originally Posted by jetwhine

Toypick,

Well I have a few thoughts.
1) Has your rig been tampered with as far as the fuel tank is concerend. In other words is your tank stock?
2) The up hill and acceleration issue sounds like the pump is cavatatiing when the fuel moves to the back of the tank when low.
3) When it reads 1/4 tank how far can you go before you run out?
4)) Also in the tank there is a holding pit around the fuel pump to keep that type of problem from happening. So maybe that has come loose and the fuel moves to the back of the tank and causes fuel pump cavitation on a low fuel level.

I saw this PIT in the middle of the tank as you speak of, and I Was actually wondering what it was for.

The pump SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN CHANGED because there was some weird fiberglass around it which appeared to me as a redneck gasket.

IF I'M NOT MISTAKENED IN MY HYPOTHESIS, I would believe that the fuel pump should be SITTING in this PIT, and right now as we speak it seems as the filter hangs a littler HIGHER so would the pump assembly be replaced with something that is not exactly stock?

[jetwhine]

Toypick,

I would suspect you have been had with the wrong pump. That pump should be very close to the bottom of the tank and sitting inside of the baffle for the fuel surge when going up hill and acceleration. You need to look at a pump assy. that should be installed in your tank and see what the difference is. Chances are that you might have to find the Toyota housing that the pump bolts onto to get the right depth. It sounds like a make shift pump assy. With as mentioned Jim Crow gasket. The typical pump bolts on with out issues.

[ToyPick]

Originally Posted by jetwhine

Toypick,

I would suspect you have been had with the wrong pump. That pump should be very close to the bottom of the tank and sitting inside of the baffle for the fuel surge when going up hill and acceleration. You need to look at a pump assy. that should be installed in your tank and see what the difference is. Chances are that you might have to find the Toyota housing that the pump bolts onto to get the right depth. It sounds like a make shift pump assy. With as mentioned Jim Crow gasket. The typical pump bolts on with out issues.

Alright so now what are my options? I need a new assembly? How can I be sure the assembly is the problem

[jetwhine]

Toypick,

You might have to go to a junkyard and find an assy. Or buy one from Toyota which will be more than you would probably want to pay. Also make a few measurements to see if it is the right housing. I betting it is not. That pump should be very close to the bottom of the tank.