Bladderectomy

Why would you really want to get rid of one of the environmental pluses of the car??? Plenty of folks manage to fill with the bladder just fine. Figure it out.

 

My guess is that it would not be possible (at least not economically feasible) to remove the bladder from the tank then get things to work again. There would be fuel line problems, sensor problems, fuel gage problems, etc. etc.

The only way would be to replace the tank with a Japanese, European, or Australian one. That might cost quite a bit also.

Legal? Who knows. Might depend on what state you live in.

My recommendation would be to live with the fuel bladder, it's annoying at times but not impossible to cope with. It's better than my first wife was.

I don't consider it an "environmental plus," it was intended to be but it misses the mark. I think a lot more gas is spilled because of the fuel bladder which most likely negates any useful effect. It is more of a failed experiment.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(edselpdx @ Sep 8 2006, 04:19 PM) [snapback]316603[/snapback]</div>

Ditto. Most of the people on this board complaining about the fuel bladder are the same ones that are trying to turn it into rocket science; trying to find a way to fit in more gas than it was designed to hold, etc.

And to address your question as to the legality of operating the car without the fuel bladder, I'm guessing it wouldn't meet the SULEV standards in California without the bladder, and that could impact tax credits, HOV privileges, etc.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tumbleweed @ Sep 8 2006, 04:25 PM) [snapback]316606[/snapback]</div>

Okay, I give up. How do you figure you spill more gas by use of the fuel bladder? I don't think I've spilled a drop in two years of ownership.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brandon @ Sep 8 2006, 05:33 PM) [snapback]316608[/snapback]</div>

Lots and Lots of cars manage SULEV and PZEV without bladders. The bladder is just the cheapest way of meeting the requirements. I'd love to retrofit a solution that resulted in an accurate fuel gauge into the Prius.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brandon @ Sep 8 2006, 02:33 PM) [snapback]316608[/snapback]</div>

Don't give up. It's because, as you pointed out, people try to put to much gas into the tank. They think because the specification says 11.9 gallons it actually should hold that much. Unfortunately what goes on the ground all evaporates. I don't do that, I live in Oregon where we can't pump our own gas so I usually end up with 3/4 of a tank or spilled gas. I try to tell them (the attendants) to stop after it clicks off twice, if they do that it actually works.

 

In 28,000 miles the Prius has burped twice - when I tried to overfill. The Prius is a PZEV, which eliminates smog checks - and the bladder is an easy way to minimize emissions as part of the overall design. I drive such that I fill up when the last pip begins flashing. I normally add 10.0 gallons - which makes for calculating fuel economy all the easier. The bladder holds a little less during extreme cold weather, a bit more during extreme hot weather.

Appreciate the design.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(skruse @ Sep 8 2006, 07:28 PM) [snapback]316664[/snapback]</div>

The Toyota Prius is a AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle).

 

I was in a California gas station last week with about two thirds of the blocks showing gone. Needed to fill up. New station. New gas nozzles. Click Click Click. Click Click Click. Click Click Click. Don't tell me to get used to it. Don't tell me it's normal. Between the filling station recovery systems and the Prius' bladder tank and venting system, its plain ridiculous. And I'm not talking about overfilling... When you go into a new gas station with new equipment especially when no one else is using the pumps, it can be an infuriating experience. So to those who are tired of it, I feel your pain.

 

We don't have to stop very often for gas. The need some feel to top it off is just habit. I give it a couple of clicks and I am off. I don't care if it has 11 gallons or 10. It is one of the more irritating things about the design but if it serves a good purpose than I am willing to deal with it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(wesj49 @ Sep 8 2006, 11:03 PM) [snapback]316798[/snapback]</div>

Sounds like the real problem is with the pumps. I've had that problem with other cars, but so far not with the Prius.

Tom

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Salsawonder @ Sep 8 2006, 08:16 PM) [snapback]316808[/snapback]</div>

Unfortunately, this is what many folks think is the problem for everybody who has issues with the bladder - and it inspires some to say things like "get over it" or "deal with it."

Well, for some of us, it has NOTHING to do with trying to squeeze in the last drop of gas. When I'm sitting at one or two bars showing in the gage, I stand around at the station and click my freaking hand off to just get a couple of tablespoons of gas in the thing. At this point (3k miles) I've had several easy fills, but the majority of them still suck, and suck big time. NOT because I'm trying to over fill the tank, but because I'm just trying to get *some* gas in the damn thing. And it isn't just me. I drove 1500 miles through Oregon this summer where the gas "professionals" must fill the car by law. They had the same problems I did - about half the time. One guy just kept clicking for about 10 minutes until it spilled on his shoes. There was no indication the tank was finally full after 200 clicks because it was shutting off even while the tank was empty.

Please guys - a little compassion for this issue that doesn't seem to effect everybody - but is a real PITA for those of us who have to suffer through it at most fillups.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(edselpdx @ Sep 8 2006, 04:19 PM) [snapback]316603[/snapback]</div>

My experience in filling up my Prius has never been any different than any other car I have owned. Should I be noticing something? What's the problem? Why am I not having it?

 

I have not ever had an issue with the bladder. Simply put the nozel in and fillup like any other car. Manages to get full bars every time when it clicks out, no spills or anything. I normally fill up once it gets to 2 pips adn it takes 8 gal, have filled it up with one pip flashing and it took almost 10 gal no probs.

I got mine in late July this year which might suggest that Toyota have made changes to the fuel tank system. So maybe folks need to put some pressure on Toyota with models with problems. It clearly is not acceptable, and also dangerous with spilling gas. Nevermind killing the emissions benefits of the car.

 

i only get that at certain gas pumps as well. there are ones i know will work fine, and i only go to those. try to find one near you somewhere and use it regularly. that will help.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Sep 9 2006, 12:08 AM) [snapback]316828[/snapback]</div>

And why is it that OR and NJ are the only states that require station attendants to fill your tank? What is the reasoning behind such a law?

Rick
#4 2006

 

Are you trying to put the gas in too quickly? I've found that going above the first or second stop on the nozzle sometimes makes it click off too soon. I normally use the first stop, and since the tank is fairly small, it usually gives me just enough time to clean the windshield. What has the dealer said about the fueling difficulties? I've had my car for over two years and have never had a problem putting gas into it.

 

i know one place I try filling up there with 1 flashing pi and as soon a I bigen filling even a slow as I can click. I just don’t go there it takes all day to click your way full and is annoying as hell.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(8AA @ Sep 9 2006, 08:13 PM) [snapback]317139[/snapback]</div>

There are two problems filling the Prius and both are caused by the pump designs. First the pumps with vapor suction in the nozzle sides keeps the bladder from expanding properly.

Secondly many if not the vast majority of pumps around where I am will not fill slowly. They tend to be full on or off.

The few times I've found a modern pump without these defects I could fill up with no trouble.