How much gas do I need, Creating enough head pressure Options

[Speedo]

I only put 1.5-2 gallons in my tank to fire up my 2.4 MFI engine, reason being that it's less to drain if I had to pull the tank. Completely new fuel system (think dry). I'm not getting any delivery into my fuel filter console, and from what I see, minimal fuel to the pump...just enough to leak out past the O ring in the electrical connection. So as it wasn't pushing any fuel into the input in the fuel filter console...I figured the pump was shot so I bought a pump off Pelican that was rebuilt, actually very stuck and seller has now gone dark. Meanwhile the pump I replaced still runs, but I don't like leaky pumps. Sourced another pump from a local shop which spins up nicely. I have triple checked all my plumbing and it is correct. I know some of these triple nipple Bosch fuel pumps are good "pullers" and others "good pushers". I got to thinking about head pressure as my pump is mounted under the engine tin behind the passenger side, but it is right up against the tin. So with little gas in the tank and a dry system trying first to pull and then to push up to the fuel filter console mounted level with the battery, maybe I don't have enough head pressure and I should at least add another 4 gallons to the tank. Further I am thinking that maybe I should pour some fuel backward into the fuel pump to prime it, and the line from D (delivery) up to the input on the fuel filter console AND fill the console up as well. My thinking is that this will reduce some of the vacuum in the pump and the lines and create enough suction for the pump to fill the lines. Thoughts? The increased head pressure should push fuel into the supply on the other end reducing how hard the pump has to "pull" to get fuel. I'm open to ideas... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[76-914]

Have you verified that the lines aren't crossed beneath the tank. Or that the feed line isn"t crimped.

[Ishley]

I would drain the tank… pull it and check the lines. Blow some air through and make sure it’s clear. Also check the screen in the tank. Finally when you reinstall the tank you really have to get the lines to not kink. This is a big one… the kinking can be tricky.

[Speedo]

I already pulled the tank to re-inspect the lines. I left plenty of extra hose length so the lines would coil, not kink. The tank and filter were clean, new hose from tank to ss lines in tunnel. I don't think the issue is the lines, moreover the amount of fuel creating head pressure in the tank and air in the new plumbing. I am wondering if the pump doesn't have enough upstream pressure to pull the fuel to the rear of the car. Back to the original question...I only fed 1.5 gallons into the tank...is that enough?

[76-914]

I already pulled the tank to re-inspect the lines. I left plenty of extra hose length so the lines would coil, not kink. The tank and filter were clean, new hose from tank to ss lines in tunnel. I don't think the issue is the lines, moreover the amount of fuel creating head pressure in the tank and air in the new plumbing. I am wondering if the pump doesn't have enough upstream pressure to pull the fuel to the rear of the car. Back to the original question...I only fed 1.5 gallons into the tank...is that enough?

If you can see gas in the circular reservoir then you have enough gas. Disconnect the line going into the fuel pump to see if gas flows freely thru the line. If so then your pump is the problem. The pump doesn't need a lot of gas in the tank. If it did your car would die before you ran out of gas. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)