Problems starting after running the car out of fuel

2001 FORD FOCUS
50,000 MILES • 1.6L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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WILLBODEN68
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
My son has the car listed above 1.6 on a 51 plate, he ran out of petrol the other day, he put approximately 4 liters in the car but it still did not start, put another 5 liters in and it started. he did approximately 10 miles yesterday and came to start it again this morning and same problem. The fuel gauge is all over the place as well.
Feb 22, 2021 at 7:31 PM
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KASEKENNY
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 18,907 POSTS
Normally this is due to the fuel line being air locked. It can be purged by cranking the engine but this is not the best way to go about it.

Here is a guide that will help with this:

https://youtu.be/dCjmRL3p4Cs

The best way to go about this is to just use some starter fluid and get the engine running and as it runs it will pull the fuel from the tank.

If this doesn't work then we need to test the pressure using this guide:

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

Let's start with this and go from there. Let me know if you have questions. Thanks
Feb 24, 2021 at 12:01 AM
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