Running 1/4 or less gas hurt the car from uncovering pickup?

[AL92]

This one guy I know is saying that I should not run my awd at 1/4 or less that it will uncover the pick up and hurt the car from fuel starvation.
He said he saw a 20g 91 awd die this way.
Is he full of crap or is this a problem ? I can't really see how a momementary loss of fuel for a second at launch would hurt anything much but he is insisting I am stupid for saying don't believe him.
Any traction advantage to running 1/2 to full tank in these cars?

 

[andymoraitis]

There's really no traction advantage from having more gas at least at my power levels. Truthfully, whatever you'd pick up in traction would be offset by the extra weight. I somewhat agree with your friend in that I've seen knock at low fuel levels (1/8 tank or less) that goes away when I toss in a few more gallons, but I can't verify that it would hurt the motor. After all, these weren't crazy knock counts (maybe 1-2) that completely disappeared when I added a bit more. As a matter of fact, I've never been to the track with anything less than a 1/4 tank.

Hope that helps,

Andy

 

[wishihadatalon]

It is a half hour drive to the track for me. I usually put $10 in which puts it up to 1/4 tank and then I drive there and race with a little more than 1/8th of a tank. I have never had a problem with that but I ran my best times with 1/2 a tank of 110 and 93 mix in my car.

I used to think weight until I was holding the 5 gallon jug of 110 and thinking man this is 1/4 of a tank and it doesn't weigh that much. So from now one I am just going to fill it up a little farther so I can drive home without a stop at the gas station after the track.

 

[CanadianTSi]

I've had the gas Light come on right after my last run at the dragstrip and I've never had a problem with fuel starvation.

 

[44pirate]

I always ended up with the low fuel just coming on before I pulled into the track. I would do about 6-10 passes, never had a problem.

 

[pneumo]

I've had my car cut out a few times when I launched it with less than 1/8th of a tank. It's also cut out on hard left corners when the tank has less than 1/8th in it. I didn't see any extra knock, the motor just cuts out for a split second, then it comes back when the pump start pumping gas again. I haven't had any trouble when the tank has more than 1/8th even with several 1.6x 60' lauches.

 

[Defiant]

This one guy I know is saying that I should not

Always a good source.

AWDs have the effect of two tanks, split by the saddle making room for the driveshaft. If you were to pitch most the fuel to the left with a hard turn, you might suck some air.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=197449

If you imagine it might be an issue, the extra ten pounds of gas really won't matter.

 

[1993TalonTsiAWD]

there are two problems I have ran into with low fuel levels.

1. The fuel it's self cools the pump, so I have been told and found out if you beat on the car with less than a 1/4 or so the pump can have a short life because of the extra heat. Thats how I think my original pump failed, because I used to fill it only to a 1/4(I know..not smart) but gas is not cheap as you all know. So I say keep at least a 1/4 maybe even a bit more just so the pump stays cool, it does generate alot of heat.

2. Though I myself have never experienced it is cavitation (sp?). Thats when the pump, pumps air, which is a BIG no no. It holds more to a oil pump, but Im sure it would shorten the life of the fuel pump also as they need lubrication as they are pumping. The fuel itself has lubricating properties.

These seem to be the only problems I see excluding the obvious cut out or weight issues ether way.


Derek


Please feel free to add anything, and if my way of thinking on the two reasons is incorrect let me know..as Im always willing to learn.