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How NOT to fill your fuel tanks

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Lepton1, Sep 1, 2018.

Page 1 of 8
  1. Sep 1, 2018 #1
    Lepton1

    Lepton1 Road Train Member

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    Yukon, OK
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    You should NOT fill your tanks right up to the brim of the cap! Diesel fuel systems require about 5-10% air at the top of the tanks for fuel return. It builds pressure in the tank.

    I was just parked next to a driver leaking diesel out of the cap. I alerted him to the problem, he got his gloves on and undid the cap and at least a gallon of diesel spilled out (in addition to the gallons already spilled at a rate of about a gallon every few minutes).

    I once witness a mega carrier driver topping his tanks so much at the fuel island he spilled a gallon or two making sure he got the entire benefit of his fill up, giggling as fuel spilled on the ground.

    Guess what? You get caught spilling fuel like that and it becomes a hazmat issue. It can get expensive in a hurry.

    You should NEVER fill your tanks past the point the fuel is higher than the bottom of the short tube sticking down from the cap. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS NEAR THE FUEL CAP. IT SAYS YOU CANNOT FILL MORE THAN 95% CAPACITY OF YOUR TANKS.

    That driver I just talked to rolled on out, tracking diesel fuel off his tires. Obviously he doesn't own the truck, or he would pay attention to this ####. There's a puddle of a few gallons flowing under my truck. I'm moving parking spots to avoid the problem. I alerted the truck stop so they can start cleanup.
     
    Lepton1, Sep 1, 2018
    Lepton1, Sep 1, 2018
    #1
    diesel drinker, Fuelinmyveins, BigBob410 and 15 others Thank this.
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  3. Sep 1, 2018 #2
    Zeviander

    Zeviander Road Train Member

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    Also, diesel will expand as it heats up, especially if there is a fuel return from the motor (like my CAT has). If the cap has any sort of leak, putting too much cool diesel in will have it spill out the leaky cap after it warms up. It has happened to me.
     
    Zeviander, Sep 1, 2018
    Zeviander, Sep 1, 2018
    #2
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  4. Sep 1, 2018 #3
    ebill45

    ebill45 Light Load Member

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    Oct 11, 2011
    dalton ga
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    its Impossible to fill the tank 100 percent through the fill cap.
     
    ebill45, Sep 1, 2018
    ebill45, Sep 1, 2018
    #3
    adayrider, Rideandrepair, snowman_w900 and 12 others Thank this.
  5. Sep 1, 2018 #4
    truckdriver31

    truckdriver31 Road Train Member

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    you must not have ever bought your own fuel. i have done this since i started driving.
     
    truckdriver31, Sep 1, 2018
    truckdriver31, Sep 1, 2018
    #4
    flood and Trucking in Tennessee Thank this.
  7. Sep 1, 2018 #5
    mover man

    mover man Road Train Member

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    Of I'm gonna drive 2-300 miles with out stopping. I fill it all the way up of as much as I want to. The tank vents itself
     
    mover man, Sep 1, 2018
    mover man, Sep 1, 2018
    #5
    Rideandrepair, Grouch and buddyd157 Thank this.
  8. Sep 1, 2018 #6
    Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    Orion's Belt
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    I stuff mine everyday and I buy the fuel. If I Fuel at the end of the day and shut truck off. The fuel that was left over (hot) will cool down decreasing in volume . And if I fuel and go every 6 miles a gallon is gone......

    My tanks are vented and the only time I’ve seen a problem is if you stuff them and park on the side of a hill.

    My guess is that guys truck was returning more fuel to one side........
     
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2018
    Cat sdp, Sep 1, 2018
    Cat sdp, Sep 1, 2018
    #6
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  9. Sep 2, 2018 #7
    gokiddogo

    gokiddogo Road Train Member

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    Ontario Canada
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    My new truck, I fill it as much as I can get in there. None lost out the cap or vent hose. My old classic I'm pretty sure would return more to right side tank, it would leak out the cap if filled more than about 80%. So that's about as high as I'd usually fill it. That's not to say all peterbilts are the same as mine or freightliners as my old unit. All trucks are a little different.
     
    gokiddogo, Sep 2, 2018
    gokiddogo, Sep 2, 2018
    #7
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  10. Sep 2, 2018 #8
    bryan21384

    bryan21384 Road Train Member

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    Memphis, TN
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    I always get what I need. I havent filled up my truck in forever. It's somewhere between 1/2 and 3/4 tank. That's enough to cover most of the ground to Clear Lake, IA once I leave the house in the morning
     
    bryan21384, Sep 2, 2018
    bryan21384, Sep 2, 2018
    #8
  11. Sep 2, 2018 #9
    STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    Longview, TX
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    If a problem somehow develops in the crossover line (equalizer), you’re going to end up with fuel coming out somewhere at the top, on the side the return fuel goes into, no matter what level you fill to.
     
    STexan, Sep 2, 2018
    STexan, Sep 2, 2018
    #9
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  12. Sep 2, 2018 #10
    SteveScott

    SteveScott Road Train Member

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    I can't look at the moment, but I don't believe that filler caps are located at the highest point on the tank so this can't happen.There is always an air space at the top to allow for expansion.
     
    SteveScott, Sep 2, 2018
    SteveScott, Sep 2, 2018
    #10
    Bean Jr., snowlauncher and Lepton1 Thank this.
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