2000 Mercury Mystique V6 (basically a Ford Contour)

This is a worsening condition, and I'm sure dealing with fuel is going to cost me more for service. Where should I take it? Any idea what the problem is?

Incidents:

- Ran out of gas when the indicator said I had a 1/4 tank of gas. Car lurched a few times and died. When I put gas in the tank, which should hold 15 gallons total, only 13 went in.

- Some time passes with minimal incidents - always filled up around 200 miles which was always indicated about 1/2 a tank of gas left. Fill up takes about 10 gallons.

- Recently: Car lurched repeatedly again but did not die around 180 miles on a tank of gas. Gas tank level reading half full when lurching began. Lurching occured during acceleration from a full stop. Filled it up and only about 8.3 gallons went in.

Why does it seem like the capacity of my gas tank is less than it should be? Why the lurching when I have 1/2 a tank? It's getting frustrating.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[Edited on March 27, 2006 at 7:33 AM. Reason : .]

3/27/2006 7:30:56 AM

zxappeal

3/27/2006 9:19:17 AM

You could try changing your fuel filter although I doubt that is it. Maybe your pump is acting up.

3/27/2006 10:50:52 AM

either a bad fuel pump or water in the tank

3/27/2006 12:22:02 PM

^ Yeah I thought about water also. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's not too common for fuel pumps to go bad either?

3/27/2006 12:29:27 PM

fuel pumps wear out

especially if youre running water through one

youre supposed to change those just like you would a timing belt and any other routine maintenance

3/27/2006 12:32:55 PM

check your fuel pressure on a low tank, chances are, its too worn out to handle that much negative head

[Edited on March 27, 2006 at 12:57 PM. Reason : lol, nm i didn't look at the user first. that car is still alive??????]

3/27/2006 12:56:01 PM

thanks people!

3/27/2006 8:07:41 PM

could be trash in the tank clogging the sock also

3/27/2006 8:40:42 PM