Tracker making gasoline

HotTommy · 04-01-2009, 08:25 AM

I'll admit that when I decided to buy a 20 year old Tracker, I did so to save money. I figured it wouldn't cost much to buy and put in running order, and I hoped to get double the MPG is was getting in my full size Dodge pickup. I got my Tracker for a very good price about two months ago and I was very pleased with the gas mileage at first. But after a month of driving, I find frequent stops for gasoline are getting annoying.

It seems that my Tracker is making gasoline at the rate of about one gallon every twenty miles (0.05 GPM). When I first saw my gas gauge moving slowly toward the FULL mark, I thought it was a faulty gauge or sending unit. But when gas started seeping out the gas filler drain, I knew something was wrong. I siphoned the tank back down to half a tank and kept driving. Within two days it was overflowing again. Now I can't hop in the car and drive anywhere without first checking the gas gauge to make sure I won't overflow the tank and cause a fire before I get back. It's getting very annoying. I've got fifteen full 5 gallon gas cans in my garage and if it weren't for some good friends who have generously agreed to drop by and use up my excess gasoline, I would have had to stop driving the Tracker. I need help now. I've searched the FSM for guidance, but I haven't seen anything related to this problem. Do you think its my fuel system (perhaps the fuel pump is wired backwards) or is that dammed ECM that no one but Jerry seems to understand? Why is my Tracker making too much gasoline?

TheZuke! · 04-01-2009, 02:56 PM

Tommy,
My uncle, Sloof Lirpa, had a similar problem with a new Ford back
in 1956. Under the hood, he saw a label on the carburetor, that
said "Experimental, not to leave Detroit". He didn't mind the problem
as it turned into a second income for his family. But one day he took
it into the dealer for a tune-up. The mechanic saw the carb and it's label.
A few days later the Sheriff showed up at my uncle's with a Ford
company mechanic from Detroit. The mechanic replaced the carb with
a standard one and my uncle's "problem" was solved...

In other words, you may have done yourself a grave disservice by posting your "little problem" on the Internet!

randy h · 04-01-2009, 04:17 PM

HotTommy,
I think the Date of your enjoyable post is quite relevant.

randy

fuzzy1 · 04-01-2009, 06:20 PM

I've been researching your recent troubles & I believe it to be the work of the Centurian Pin Viper!! There are a couple peculiar traits of this species:
The 1st thing to be aware of is, the Centrian Pin Viper is often very difficult to detect as it has been discovered they posess a cloaking device which allows them to go undetected, sometimes indefinitely. It has been thoerized they got this technology from contact with an alien species known by some futurists as 'Romulans'. Beware!! These are known to be hostile!!
You should be made aware however, that two or more Centurain Pin Vipers, when rubbing against each other produce an oil... called by some 'Snake Oil'. So you see, what you actually have isn't gasoline at all, but snake oil!! Fear not!! It seems there is a booming market for this product. Provided proper advertising, you may become quite wealthy selling it. May you live long & prosper!! hth

Fuzz