low on gas low on power - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Dilbert1234567 · 03-09-2004, 02:12 PM

I have noticed that the less gas I have in my tank the less power I seem to get out of my car (2000 ford escort zx2) it seems to shift harder (its an automatic) and 'pops' into gear when i start it up and put it into gear. (It jumps instead of a smooth transition. as soon as i fill it up with a full tank it goes away until I get low on gas. i can notice it around half a tank and it is very apparent at a quarter and less.

Any ideas? Or is this just normal.

shakran · 03-09-2004, 03:02 PM

I've seen this happen with a clogged fuel filter. The pump is at the bottom of the tank generally and the weight of the gasoline helps the pump do it's work. As the weight comes off the pump is less able to force the gas through the dirty filter. Couldn't hurt to change it anyway - it's something most people forget about until it's so bad that it stalls the car.

Just do it outside. The first time I changed one I did it in the garage and got high as a kite

Dilbert1234567 · 03-09-2004, 11:25 PM

lol, sounds like a plan, thanks for the help

DEI37 · 03-10-2004, 05:14 AM

COuld be a fuel pump, as well. On a 2000, and with today's fuels, I don't see the filter being the problem. I changed the FACTORY filter on my '92 Pontiac a couple months ago. It didnt' fix the problems I had...so now we lean towards the fuel pump. Just another idea for ya.

Dilbert1234567 · 03-11-2004, 05:13 PM

if the filter does not fix it ill take it to a mechanic to check the pump

03-09-2004, 02:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dilbert1234567 Devils Cabana Boy Location: Central Coast CA	low on gas low on power I have noticed that the less gas I have in my tank the less power I seem to get out of my car (2000 ford escort zx2) it seems to shift harder (its an automatic) and 'pops' into gear when i start it up and put it into gear. (It jumps instead of a smooth transition. as soon as i fill it up with a full tank it goes away until I get low on gas. i can notice it around half a tank and it is very apparent at a quarter and less. Any ideas? Or is this just normal. __________________ Donate Blood! "Love is not finding the perfect person, but learning to see an imperfect person perfectly." -Sam Keen

03-09-2004, 11:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dilbert1234567 Devils Cabana Boy Location: Central Coast CA	lol, sounds like a plan, thanks for the help __________________ Donate Blood! "Love is not finding the perfect person, but learning to see an imperfect person perfectly." -Sam Keen

03-10-2004, 05:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
DEI37 Go faster! Location: Wisconsin	COuld be a fuel pump, as well. On a 2000, and with today's fuels, I don't see the filter being the problem. I changed the FACTORY filter on my '92 Pontiac a couple months ago. It didnt' fix the problems I had...so now we lean towards the fuel pump. Just another idea for ya. __________________ Generally speaking, if you were to get what you really deserve, you might be unpleasantly surprised.

03-11-2004, 05:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dilbert1234567 Devils Cabana Boy Location: Central Coast CA	if the filter does not fix it ill take it to a mechanic to check the pump __________________ Donate Blood! "Love is not finding the perfect person, but learning to see an imperfect person perfectly." -Sam Keen

03-09-2004, 03:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	I've seen this happen with a clogged fuel filter. The pump is at the bottom of the tank generally and the weight of the gasoline helps the pump do it's work. As the weight comes off the pump is less able to force the gas through the dirty filter. Couldn't hurt to change it anyway - it's something most people forget about until it's so bad that it stalls the car. Just do it outside. The first time I changed one I did it in the garage and got high as a kite