James, unfortunately I can't offer any advice, but I can tell you my
'94 truck does the same thing (actually it's my '89 with the tank and
fuel lines out of a '94). I lucked out and can get 17 gallons before
it stumbles and stutters (22gal tank). When I installed the tank a
couple months ago, I (stupidly) didn't open it up to check the
pump/pickup/sending unit. Eventually I'll drop it again. If you do it
before me, would you take digital pictures? I'll do the same.
As for dropping the tank... it's not *too* bad. Since I've never
lifted the bed, I'm going to say dropping the tank is easier. If you
have a fuel tank skidplate, it's a few more rusty bolts to fight with.
If you've got any rust under there, get in your dirtiest of dirty
clothes for this job. All that rust will fall on you in a powder of
particles ranging in size from pennies to individual molecules (you
think I exaggerate... just wait till you try scrubbing that crap out
of your skin after it got *through* your layered clothing!) When the
book says to empty the tank first, listen. DAMHIK. Also, the FSM
suggests using a tranny jack. It's not required, but if you already
have one, it will make the job easier... and may allow you to do it
without emptying the tank first.
Don in CT
89 Dakota Convertible 5.2mag NV3500 4x4
74 Dart Sport 340
On 9/1/06, jon@dakota-truck.net <jon@dakota-truck.net> wrote:
>
> "Jamie Calder" <jcalder3@cfl.rr.com> wrote:
>
> : My '96 Dakota will only run on the first 6-9 gallons of gas after a fill up.
> : After that it will stumble or only go 5-10 MPH until finally dying. After a
> : fill up it's back to normal. It seems almost as though the gravity from a
> : full tank helps get the fuel flowing. A pressure gauge shows 44 PSI.
> : Any Ideas?
>
>
> Is the pressure gauge hooked up all the time? If so, what
> does it read when its going through its stumbling routine?
> Sounds like its probably related to the in-tank pump or pickup.
> I've never had one out so I'm not completely sure what the
> design is like, but it sounds almost like there is a hole
> partway up, where once the fuel level drops below it, it starts
> sucking air instead of fuel. At any rate, you might want to
> either drop the tank or lift the bed (most folks say that the
> latter is easier) and just do a visual inspection of the in-tank
> pump and pickup.
>
>
> --
> -Jon-
>
> .- Jon Steiger -- jon@dakota-truck.net or jon@jonsteiger.com -.
> | '96 Kolb Firefly, '96 Suzuki Intruder, Miscellaneous Mopars |
> `-------------------------------- http://www.jonsteiger.com --'
>
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