Running a Fuel Injected Engine Dry

[Togger]

I've heard you shouldn't let a fuel injected bike run out of gas because it can damage the fuel injection . Is that true?

[CROSSBOLT]

Won't damage fuel injection as far as I know but it certainly is not any favor to the fuel pump. That thing is cooled and "lubricated" by the fuel and running it dry ain't good!

The big hassle is restarting after fuel lines are empty. These bikes may be reprimed without cranking the starter by turning the ignition key on then off several times before attempting a start. The injector shoots a little cloud of fuel right after the key goes on and the pump runs for a short while.

[Kansas kymco]

Would agree with Crossbolt,  It damages the fuel pump that depends on fuel for cooling. Same thing for cars.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Yeah, have read where people like to find what the max mileage they can get before they roll empty to a stop.... or exactly where the needle is getting very serious about "empty!"

No, not pleasant for that fuel pump residing in the empty tank....but there is a filter on it - so shouldn't be sucking up coffee dregs from the bottom.

Stig

[CROSSBOLT]

Would agree with Crossbolt,  It damages the fuel pump that depends on fuel for cooling. Same thing for cars.

Either we are both right or both badly wrong.....like that guy with two wrist watches! Har, har! Glad to hear from you regardless!

[Ex-KLR]

Yeah, have read where people like to find what the max mileage they can get before they roll empty to a stop.... or exactly where the needle is getting very serious about "empty!"

No, not pleasant for that fuel pump residing in the empty tank....but there is a filter on it - so shouldn't be sucking up coffee dregs from the bottom.

Stig

Those "run dry" people must have failed basic arithmetic.  It's not necessary to run the tank dry (or even half empty) to calculate the maximum mileage.

[Henry]

What's the point of running the engine dry ?! If that happens, you fill up, then drive !
Who would try to start an engine with no gas ?!

[Ruffus]

IMHO, you all are right to a point.
 My experience with fuel/lubrication pumps in industrial areas/machines are.:
- those which depend on cooling/lubrication by any medium they propel are equipped with an autostop switch, to avoid pump suicide

- on our scoots is either fuel available, ergo motor and pump runs or there is
a)  no fuel, motor stops and pump runs appr. for 5 seconds after I ry to restart
b)  fuelled again, motor, owner and pump are happy and cooled
This short "fuelless" running cannot harm.

[stuo]

Very informative debate. I think the only conclusion we can all agree on is...it's dumb to run out of fuel.

[airshot]

IMHO, you all are right to a point.
 My experience with fuel/lubrication pumps in industrial areas/machines are.:
- those which depend on cooling/lubrication by any medium they propel are equipped with an autostop switch, to avoid pump suicide

- on our scoots is either fuel available, ergo motor and pump runs or there is
a)  no fuel, motor stops and pump runs appr. for 5 seconds after I ry to restart
b)  fuelled again, motor, owner and pump are happy and cooled
This short "fuelless" running cannot harm.

No experience with machinery but neighbor is an auto mechanic and running on a very low fuel tank or running on an empty fuel tankbwill cause fuel pump failure!!  His shop replaced my fuel pump on various cars/ trucks and I got to see it first hand.. Mine was not a case of low fuel issues just a worn out pump after 200k miles.  However looking at how they are installed in the tank and the quality of the pump itself, it become quite easy to see how easy they would burn out from lack of fuel. The pump itself is a very small 12v electric motor that looks like it belongs in a kids slot car. A cheap little flimsy motor that does get hot rather quickly as we tested a brand new one before installing. The entire housing is plastic andvthe fuel in the tank is needed to keep the housing cool so that it doesnt distort or even melt in some cases. Once your tank gets below approx 1/8 of a tank the fuel is only capable of splashing onto the plastic housing, not enough fuel in the tank to actually keep the housing covered to keep it cool, thus the pumps fail prematurally.  The majority of his customers with fuel pump issues are folks that run there tanks with low levels of fuel frequently !!  With that said, not sure how the pumps on our toys are made or what material they are made from, but I would not take any chances, not very fond of pushing but I do enjoy riding!!  Also not a fan of repairing, would prefer to just ride trouble free.  When I get to 1/4 tank on all my vehicles it is time to fill them up. Better to be safe than sorry I always say.......

[Neil955i]

Bitter personal experience on two occasions tells me that you CAN run out of fuel without damaging the fuel pump. I won’t bore you with the details, but suffice to say it was not entirely “user error”!

How about this for serendipity, on one of these occasions while in France, my Triumph T595 Daytona ran out and I coasted to a halt on the forecourt of the fuel station!

[Stig / Major Tom]

Bitter personal experience on two occasions tells me that you CAN run out of fuel without damaging the fuel pump. I won’t bore you with the details, but suffice to say it was not entirely “user error”!

How about this for serendipity, on one of these occasions while in France, my Triumph T595 Daytona ran out and I coasted to a halt on the forecourt of the fuel station!

On the interstate in Mass when my VW bus coughed, out of gas. Clutch in quickly. - took the off ramp, at the bottom of which was a BP station!.
I did have to get out and push it  to the pump.
It wasn't even late for work.
Stig

[randyo]

I generally try to keep my tanks half full or more, but I have been slacking with my UXV450i, I'm registered for the street, but cause of the OHRV street going rules, I have to take the long way around to get to a gas station, so I end up keeping gas in it with a 5 gallon can, and it has an 8 gallon tank, so it never gets filled very often

[Neil955i]

Yes Randy, on my PCX 125 after it ran dry I took to riding with a 0.5l fuel bottle under the seat. Of course then I never ran dry again…

[randyo]

On the interstate in Mass when my VW bus coughed, out of gas. Clutch in quickly. - took the off ramp, at the bottom of which was a BP station!.
I did have to get out and push it  to the pump.
It wasn't even late for work.
Stig

I ran out of gas in my Vanagon once, ('81 air cooled efi ) but I had a half gallon or so mixed chainsaw gas. got me to a gas station