Does not run properly when fuel gauge reaches below a quarter tank

1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
233,645 MILES • 2.4L • 4 CYL • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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MICHAEL BLANDING
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Why do my car lose pressure when driving and when it gets below 1/4 of a tank it acts like it is out of gas and won't go with the rpm's dropping to almost zero. Then it takes off again and then repeat the process over again until I get some gas.
Sep 19, 2020 at 5:02 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 110,194 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Hi,

Are you referring to fuel pressure or something different?

If it's fuel pressure, there could be dirt near the bottom of the tank that is preventing fuel from going through the fuel sock at the bottom of the fuel pump. Does the problem happen at any other time? For example, if you have a full tank of gas, does it happen?

Keep in mind, you may have a fuel pump that is simply going bad. If the vehicle was presented to me for testing, I would start by checking fuel pump pressure. Here is a link that shows how that's done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Let me know.

Joe
Sep 19, 2020 at 6:30 PM
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