Running dry?

I remember reading that article several months ago, so I just breezed
through it this time. A couple points that I've thought about, along with
the author. I've never ran a tank dry, and don't intend to. Why not?
Well, even disregarding the potential safety issues, we have fuel injected
engines and our electric fuel pumps have great big red stickers on them that
say DO NOT RUN DRY. $632 each for rebuilt models, I think I won't gamble
that kind of cash.

I haven't done it yet, but I would like to examine, with a mirror as Denny
has, our rubber fuel bladders. I would also like to know their exact
current capacity. I would like to assure myself that they are still
"buttoned" down and have not even partially collapsed. To date, I've fueled
each of our 36 gallon tanks, with 30 gallons each, 6 gallons remaining in
each, about 2 of which was unusable according to the book. So I'm fairly
confident that they hold at least 30 gallons each.

But rather than running a tank dry, what's wrong with simply running it low,
then draining the remainder through the sump? This is "supposed" to be the
lowest point on the tank or in the system, right? It would seem that any
"crud" that hasn't been sucked through the fuel filter, would then just
dribble out into your gas can.

Afterwards, the bladders can be inspected and filled to the brim for an
accurate capacity. All done on the ground.

Jim

"Jim Burns" writes:

Well, even disregarding the potential safety issues, we have fuel injected
engines and our electric fuel pumps have great big red stickers on them that
say DO NOT RUN DRY.

I concur. Don't run them dry. Leave 'em off.

--kyler