Litle help please car people. :)

OK, I have been having some fuel problems with my van. When I start it unless I have more than 1/2 of a tank on gas, I have to tap the gas petal a few times to get it to start. (If I have a quarter tank of of gas or less I have a really hard time starting.) After I get the van started I have no problems. I think the problem is think I have some bad/ dirty gas in the tank. I have been using this hoping that it would help flush the tank out. (I'm not sure if that is a stupid idea.) So I'm looking for opinions until I can get my van into the shop in a week or two.

Other info that might be helpful:
1) My gas gauge works pretty much-- I have a 20 gallon tank when it reads a 1/4 tank it takes 15 gallon to fill up.

2) I had my fuel pump replaced in late fall of last year.... after I got my van back if I made a hard right turn and accelerated quickly my van would sputter and a cloud of white would come out of my exhaust, I assumed that moisture got into my tank while they where changing my fuel pump, so I ran some line dry stuff through it and it worked alright I think although I might just not be taking hard right turns and accelerating quickly like I used too.

I appreciate any help if you have a question I'll try to answer it.

Chrysler town and country 1999 V6 3.8L The only warning light on the dash is (Traction System)

I have to ask them when I take it back (my dad has all the paperwork so I can't look at that).... too bad the fuel filter isn't in the engine like on my old Tempo then I could change it. I like my van but they designed it pretty stupid .... like you have to unbolt the headlight and slide it out of the mounting bracket to change the bulb. Thanks, Kris Kringle.

I would agree with Kris Kringle.....The filter could be an issue, I have seen it many times in the past....Also you may want to consider that the shop put in a bad fuel pump. Even brand new parts can be bad considering they are made by humans and mistakes can be made. This happened to my son a few months ago.

Try checking your fuel pressure.There might be a schrader valve on the intake or plenem as it's called.It should be on the fuel rail.If it is the small one,some times you can cheat and use a tire pressure gauge.That is if you don't have a fuel pressure gauge.It sounds like you might have a problem in the fuel tank.

Like Kris Kringle said above, check for other codes. Most of the big auto parts stores will loan you the tool to plug in and check for codes.

Here's a thought........ Look at the check valve.

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Look at the check valve.

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On what???

Sounds like M Dew has the right thought. The strainer, we called them the sock, in the tank sounds clogged. When low on fuel it is sucking through the lower part where all the crud is. A simple vacuum test would tell if that's the problem.

ComputerScrapper thats reminds me of the auto parts store years ago. It was called One Stop.
We called it Ten Stop. A few trips just to get the right part then a few more to get one that worked!

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Originally Posted by injunjoe

ComputerScrapper thats reminds me of the auto parts store years ago. It was called One Stop.
We called it Ten Stop. A few trips just to get the right part then a few more to get one that worked!

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lol. That sounds like nearly every project I have.

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Originally Posted by injunjoe

Sounds like M Dew has the right thought. The strainer, we called them the sock, in the tank sounds clogged. When low on fuel it is sucking through the lower part where all the crud is. A simple vacuum test would tell if that's the problem.

ComputerScrapper thats reminds me of the auto parts store years ago. It was called One Stop.
We called it Ten Stop. A few trips just to get the right part then a few more to get one that worked!

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I call it VIP. They never once sold me the right part the first time. Haven't been back in years.

Some vehicles have check valves on the fuel line. That is what y'all are chit chattin' 'bout, fuel delivery, no?

Thank you for clearing that up, I was cornfused.