the gas bladder: exposed!

[Dan-Wolfe]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Apr 7 2007, 01:32 AM) [snapback]419229[/snapback]</div>

How much does an R&R of the gas tank cost?
[/b]

$1,000 is about what I paid to have the fuel bladder/tank assembly replaced when I received a tank of contaminated gas from a Navy Exchange gas station. Fortunately, Citgo, the Navy contractor who confirmed supplying the contaminated gas, paid for the repair lock, stock and bladder. I was lucky.

Dan

[hill]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ Apr 7 2007, 03:16 AM) [snapback]419276[/snapback]</div>

I agree with tripp that's pretty complex.

Thanks for the pictures!
[/b]

No Kidding! Very Bitchin. Woulda liked to have been there.

[RonH]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Oxo @ Apr 7 2007, 12:35 PM) [snapback]419418[/snapback]</div>

Very useful and interesting - all 25 pics! I wonder how many hours it took Toyota's people to design it?

Am I wrong in thinking that European models of the Prius do not have a bladder? Is there any easily visible external evidence that a bladder is fitted?
[/b]

Now we know why the over-designed Prius is so much more life-cycle costly than the Hummer with its tin can tank!

[adam1991]

More info on the fuel and EVAP system:

http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/Hybrid13.pdf

Please note the admonition to use 87 octane gas, and only 87 octane gas, in the Prius.

No, America--bigger numbers aren't better. More isn't better. I know y'all want so desperately to believe that more is better, but it isn't. More is just more.

[galaxee]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bwilson4web @ Apr 7 2007, 04:20 AM) [snapback]419307[/snapback]</div>

I noticed two holes on the opposite side of the tank in figure 1, what do they connect to?
Does tank removal require taking out the rear axle?
[/b]

one hole contains the vapor pressure sensor and the other contains the trap.
don't have to take out the rear axle to remove the tank. just the center exhaust pipe.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hobbit @ Apr 7 2007, 09:55 AM) [snapback]419349[/snapback]</div>

How absolutely excellent. Thanks to you both, you totally rock!
.
So the box of "Toyota seal packaging" wasn't so that DH could put the
thing back together, huh?
.

[/b]

haha, not quite.

couple points.
the overfill fuel goes through the check valve and runs into the charcoal canister. from there if there's still gas running in there it can also get into the space between the bladder and the tank through the evap lines.

as far as serviceability goes, the bladder is the complication here with the sealing of everything and all that. for the non-bladder car you can drop in a new fuel pump/sending unit assy no problem. don't know how they work it for the sealed metal tanks in the hycam and hihy.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bwilson4web @ Apr 7 2007, 11:39 AM) [snapback]419385[/snapback]</div>

Ahhh, I see it now. I've taken out the rear seat of my NHW11 and it rests on top of the gas tank. Knowing which side the filler tube comes down clarifies that first NHW20 tank photo. I still don't know if the tank comes out via the cabin but that would be a sensible approach for the NHW20.

Given what the tank did to the air tool, I feel a lot better about crash-worthiness.

Thanks again, the photos are great. Good luck on the grant. My niece got a three year NSF grant.

Bob Wilson
[/b]

tank won't come out through the cabin in any car. and thanks, given the current funding climate i'm not holding my breath but it's good experience.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Oxo @ Apr 7 2007, 12:35 PM) [snapback]419418[/snapback]</div>

Am I wrong in thinking that European models of the Prius do not have a bladder? Is there any easily visible external evidence that a bladder is fitted?
[/b]

nope, you guys don't have to deal with the bladder thing. DH has never seen a prius non-bladder tank so we couldn't tell ya. over here they all have them.

[Oxo]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Apr 7 2007, 08:06 PM) [snapback]419632[/snapback]</div>

nope, you guys don't have to deal with the bladder thing. DH has never seen a prius non-bladder tank so we couldn't tell ya. over here they all have them.
[/b]

Thanks. So this raises the question of why the bladder is there anyway. I think this has been explained on PC before but I can't remember the answer although I think it's some sort of safety measure. Perhaps it's a requirement of US legislation?

Incidentally I find the filler opening a bit too small for the nozzle when I fill up. It shuts off if I put it in as far as it will go so I have to hold it much nearer the opening and even then it shuts off after taking a gallon or so and I have to withdraw the nozzle a bit further.

[Rangerdavid]

WOW Galaxee, thats entirely cool!!! Bet it was a lot of work though....

Oh, and good luck on the grant writing!!

[David Beale]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Oxo @ Apr 8 2007, 04:25 AM) [snapback]419766[/snapback]</div>

Thanks. So this raises the question of why the bladder is there anyway. I think this has been explained on PC before but I can't remember the answer although I think it's some sort of safety measure. Perhaps it's a requirement of US legislation?


[/b]

The bladder reduces evaporative losses even more, allowing the (I can't remember the correct term, so UBER Environmentally friendly) rating for the car.

[8AA]

Galaxee,

Thanks for taking the time to post the pictures and the explanations. And please pass on my thanks to "DH" for taking the time to perform the arduous disassembly.

[Bill Merchant]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Oxo @ Apr 8 2007, 03:25 AM) [snapback]419766[/snapback]</div>

...So this raises the question of why the bladder is there anyway... Perhaps it's a requirement of US legislation?[/b]

The bladder helps meet [partial] zero emission standards on the US west coast (and BC Canada) and some New England states in the north east US. It is not for US Federal standards, but to meet State standards, since the Federal government refuses to lead and has been denying its ability to regulate tail-pipe emissions. It would be better if ALL Prius had the bladder tank. I'm somewhat surprised that the EU isn't more on top of this since they seem to love regulation.

[Edited for clarity. The goal is to reduce emissions and green house gasses as much as possible. The Prius IS a zero emissions car, when the ICE isn't running.]