have just got back from a 2000km trip on the way back had a problem with car starving for fuel when still had 1/4 of a tank discovery 1996 3.9 engine would stop could wait for 5 minutes start up and go for another 10 kms or so and the same thing would happen It did this 3 time at the same fuel reading on fuel gauge I finished the trip by keeping over 1/2 a tank of fuel and had no problems but as soon as it gets to 1/4 problem returns have I picked up bad fuel or is this a sign of fuel pump failure vehicle was serviced before leaving includeing new fuel filter. It looks easy enough to remove pump for inspection but wanted any suggestions or advice before I started PS no other problems or symptoms other yhan described above would appreciate any help THANKS MICK

 

Well it is one of two things.
Most likely it is your fuel pump overheating and then quiting, once it cools it will work fine.
Your fuel pump is submerged in fuel, that keeps it cool, low fuel level = hot fuel pump.
The other is a bad fuel level sending unit, so you are actually out of fuel when the gauge still reads 1/4 tank.
Either way a new fuel pump is the only fix.

 

thanx for info spike tank was defininatly not emptc could tell by what it cost to fill but we were in the top end of australia at 39 degrees celcius plus first time ive been where its that warm

 

Wow, 102*F, thats pretty warm.
There was a recall on the fuel tanks, but that was years ago and odds are yours has been replaced under the recall.
So my money is on the fuel pump.

 

Third item to deal with is a dirty fuel filter, 4th item is a failing fuel pump relay.
Check them all.

 

fuel filter easy to replace can I test fuel pump relay myself

 

You said that they already replaced the fuel filter, and fuel level would have no effect on that.
There is no way to check the fuel pump relay, replacing it is the only way to know if it is good or not.
I do not know where it is located.

 

thanks for the help guys I will let you know how I get on