What color is the smoke? Probably sucked a little garbage into the pump and sent it to the filter. We clean throttle bodies as part of regular maintenance along with oil and air filter changes. Astro vans seldom actually need throttle bodies cleaned as the fuel is injected after that point, but it never hurts. If the fuel supply is the problem, use a diagnostic scanner, check engine data and look for fuel trim. If it is lean and starving for fuel, you will see trim data way up in the plus side, increasing fuel injector pulse width in attempt to compensate for fuel starvation. If you do not have access to the tools, the lean condition will also cause the exhaust to smell differently. Not saying you should sniff the exhaust, but you get the idea.
Check fuel pressure and if low, replace the fuel filter first. If pressure is still not adequate, it probably sucked enough stuff into the pump filter sock to affect fuel entering the pump. Either way, if you do have to remove the tank, replace the pump along with a new sock, most new pumps come with the sock, but with some you have to purchase it separately.
If you have the tank out, look down inside with the pump assembly removed and look for junk floating around in there. We have also had fuel level run low enough to where it will actually pick up small amounts of water and rust (even though it's a plastic tank) sloshing around inside. You might try some dry gas first, then check fuel pressure and if low, replace filter and then the pump. Use only brand name fuel additives and NOT cheap dollar store dry gas as we have learned whatever alcohol they use in some is too strong and can destroy fuel injectors. Have had it happen several times.
That being said, not quite sure as to what would be causing the smoke. Never seen that happen from running out of gas, but hey anything today is possible.
Check fuel pressure and if low, replace the fuel filter first. If pressure is still not adequate, it probably sucked enough stuff into the pump filter sock to affect fuel entering the pump. Either way, if you do have to remove the tank, replace the pump along with a new sock, most new pumps come with the sock, but with some you have to purchase it separately.
If you have the tank out, look down inside with the pump assembly removed and look for junk floating around in there. We have also had fuel level run low enough to where it will actually pick up small amounts of water and rust (even though it's a plastic tank) sloshing around inside. You might try some dry gas first, then check fuel pressure and if low, replace filter and then the pump. Use only brand name fuel additives and NOT cheap dollar store dry gas as we have learned whatever alcohol they use in some is too strong and can destroy fuel injectors. Have had it happen several times.
That being said, not quite sure as to what would be causing the smoke. Never seen that happen from running out of gas, but hey anything today is possible.
