Ran out of gas....got rough idle now!

[garpike]

Alrighty, I am a newbie here. I have a 2001 LE with 96,000 miles on it.

I was on the way to the gas station this morning and I ran out of gas pulling into the parking lot. No worries I thought....I filled up and tried starting up....I got some hesitation and then it finally started.

BUT....Now everytime I stop at a traffic light or park and let my PT idle it is idling rough. Also when I start it up I get a rough hesitation.

I poured in a Lucas Oil Gas Treatment to try to "clean" things up, but I am not sure if that will do the trick or not. I have had ZERO problems with my PT starting or a rough idle prior to this.

If anyone has any ideas please let me know, I am bummed out.

[Teekypt]

Originally Posted by garpike

Alrighty, I am a newbie here. I have a 2001 LE with 96,000 miles on it.

I was on the way to the gas station this morning and I ran out of gas pulling into the parking lot. No worries I thought....I filled up and tried starting up....I got some hesitation and then it finally started.

BUT....Now everytime I stop at a traffic light or park and let my PT idle it is idling rough. Also when I start it up I get a rough hesitation.

I poured in a Lucas Oil Gas Treatment to try to "clean" things up, but I am not sure if that will do the trick or not. I have had ZERO problems with my PT starting or a rough idle prior to this.

If anyone has any ideas please let me know, I am bummed out.

Well, as you've read....all of us get deposits in the bottom of our tanks...this is why you should NEVER let your car run out of gas if it can be prevented...cuz now you probably tore up your fuel pump! If it keeps acting crazy...you might wanna find out if your pump is messed up. I'm sure you'll get other responses to this post...

[garpike]

Originally Posted by Teekypt

...cuz now you probably tore up your fuel pump! If it keeps acting crazy...you might wanna find out if your pump is messed up. ....

Oh Crap!

Is there anyway to diagnose the fuel pump going bad?
I haven't gotten any codes or lights flashing.

[cleverklutz]

I wouldn't get too stressed right now. If it is a fuel problem it shouldn't be hard to diagnose, and chances are it's an easy fix. Harbor Freight sells a fuel pump test kit for $11. I used it on my atv and found it was totally accurate (33psi with bad pump, 43 psi with new pump.) Here's the link

I believe that the pressure should be 43psi. There should also be a test port somewhere on the rail. If you download the manual for the PT, (I think it's a sticky in tech tips) it should tell you both the spec for rail pressure, and the location of the test port.

If you do have low numbers, chances are your fuel filter got plugged. I'm not 100% sure, but there should be an external fuel filter somewhere near the gastank. Worst case the fuel filter is located on the fuel pump and the pump has to be pulled and the filter replaced. I would think it's an external filter tho, my 1993 Dynasty had one, and I doubt they'd regress technology. I think my filter cost about $10 and it can be changed in under one hour if you're extremely untalented (read: if you're me!)

Ben

[garpike]

I went to NAPA today on lunch and asked about the fuel filter....no accessable filter....just the one in the tank. Nice.

I am going to look into the fuel pump test kit, might be good to have around anyways.

Thanks for the response....feeling a bit better...

[CREWZIN]

My guess, either the fuel filter (in the tank) or the debris got past it and one or more of your injectors are clogged.

Yea, the pump can burn out because the fuel not only keeps the pump cool it lubricates also but running out of gas one time I wouldn't think would burn out the pump. Unless you've constantly run the tank down to below 1/4 tank a number of times before this.

[bobs turbo pt]

i agree with crewzin !!

[garpike]

Originally Posted by CREWZIN

My guess, either the fuel filter (in the tank) or the debris got past it and one or more of your injectors are clogged.

I am still so bummed out, I hate that my PT is not working well.

I really hope that the "cleaner" can fix the problem.
I stopped at my local garage on the way home and they told me the next tank of gas to use another bottle of "cleaner" and fill up with premium gas and that should flush it out.

I really hope so because I really my PT!

[CREWZIN]

If it doesn't work, most places have a fuel injector service where the fuel rail and injectors are cleaner under pressure. It runs anywhere from about $20 to $50 depending on where you go.

[garpike]

GREAT NEWS!!! I was on my way home from work last night and my PT is back to normal!!! Seems that the Lucas Oil Gas treatment worked and whatever was clogging up my engine is cleaned out!!

I am SO happy to have my PT back to normal!

Thanks for all the help!