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Fuel Filler TSB Success, Anyone?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by swoozle, Oct 4, 2004.

  1. swoozle

    swoozle Junior Member

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    I'm very interested in hearing from anyone who has had this TSB done and whether you've noticed an increase in fill capacity. I've seen at least one post here that indicates it does, but that seems to not be the case for others.

    My personal experience is problematic. After a really crappy experience with having both the filler and the combo meter replaced at Rodland Toyota in Everett, WA (scratched dash panels, cruddy reinstall job), I've filled up twice at the flashing bar and been able to get in 8.1 gallons both times. No difference from before. The bars go away more consistently as I would expect from the meter swap, but I'm seeing no physical fill difference.

    I'm interested because I think they might have put the old style fill pipe back in. The part numbers listed on the receipt I have are the NEW combo meter and the OLD fill pipe.

    I'll be following up on it with the dealer and also trying to find out how to visually confirm that there is a new pipe in my car.

    Thanks
     
  2. CHART

    CHART Member

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    I have the same concern adn question. My Vin is in the 15,000 range (delivery last December) and I have been holding off doing this. I also regularly fill up between 400 and 450 miles with blinking fuel gage, only to average 7 gallons in the fillup.

    Evan, how did yours do?
     
  3. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    It went...it's done, but so far I don't see any objective signs of change. I still haven't run a tank to flashing bar. My first full tank post TSB I refilled at one bar due to a long trip I needed to take that day.

    I'll keep my other thread updated.
     
  4. CHART

    CHART Member

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    Thanks Evan. Your posts help me a lot!
     
  5. jmdor

    jmdor New Member

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    I would say that the TSB provides a mild improvement in total range and fuel capacity. The big difference is that the lower bars disappear more slowly than before -- more like 40-50 miles between bars dropping off, rather than 25-50 miles. I also note a mild increase in total range -- say about 50 miles. I can get about 0.5 more gallons in.

    So, some improvement, but definitely not at the 500 mile range and 10 gallon fillup for me. More like 400 mile range and 8.5 gallon fillup.

    Jeanne
     
  6. seeh2o

    seeh2o Prius OG

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    I went to the dealership yesterday and they ordered the parts for the TSB...then they told me they hadn't heard of it and that this would be their first one. I'm a bit disconcerted by that.
     
  7. Lectricar

    Lectricar New Member

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    It took 3 weeks to get the parts. It took a day to install them. It's taking three more to correct their work.
     
  8. CHART

    CHART Member

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    seeh2o.....be afraid....be very afraid....RUNNNNN!!!!!!
     
  9. ALoLA

    ALoLA New Member

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    I plan on getting mine done at the next service, which would be the 10000 mile oil change. Maybe I should call ahead to get the parts ordered ahead of time?
     
  10. Lectricar

    Lectricar New Member

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    you will have to get the parts ordered in advance as they need to program the miles on the odometer and, apparently they will have to make sure that Goober from the Andy Griffith Show is available to install them.
     
  11. Lectricar

    Lectricar New Member

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    You remember Goober...slow, but nice.....
     
  12. Mike N

    Mike N New Member

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    seeh2o,
    What dealer in L.A. are you going to? I want to take mine in there after yours in finished.

    Mike (310)995-1794 [email protected]
     
  13. CHART

    CHART Member

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    Hey cousin Goober.....Hey cousin Gomer......
     
  14. wb9tyj

    wb9tyj 2017 Prius Prime Advanced

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    given that my VIN is too high for the TSB...the fuel symptoms remain...local toyota stated that they would look at it and do the work if i so desired, however, given all the scenerios ive read on the forum, at this time, i will not have the TSB done...just keep track of miles driven i guess is the easiest way...
     
  15. bflat58

    bflat58 New Member

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    I received my 04 in may and have approximately 6K miles. I believe my car has this same problem. How do I find out if the TSB applies to my car. What is the VIN range? :?
     
  16. mboileau

    mboileau New Member

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    I had the TBS done several weeks ago and noticed an immediate change in the fuel guage. Before the fix, I got the flashing single bar after only going about 330 miles on a tank at about 48 mpg. The most I could squeeze in with a fill-up was 8 gallons. After the fix, the bar didn't flash until I had gone about 425 miles at the same mpg, and can now fill it with about 10 gallons. The average mileage computation hasn't been affected, but it's more accurately using the full capacity of the tank.
     
  17. FredWB

    FredWB New Member

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    My average for full fillups is about 8.1 gal with only one at 9 gal (and that was after a slight top off).

    My first tank after the full TSB was 8.47 gal with the light blinking at aroung 425 miles and fillup at 442 miles. So really not all that different.
     
  18. Lectricar

    Lectricar New Member

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    after TSB, blinking light at 487 miles, filled 9.43 gallons....
     
  19. mongo

    mongo Junior Member

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    We've gotten the update. The bars change with more regularity now (less jumping), but there's no change in the volume the tank will hold.
     
  20. Swampthing

    Swampthing Junior Member

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    I've been debating whether or not the TSB is worth the trouble. My VIN falls within the range to replace both items, but I've never had that much difficulty. Generally I lose my first bar around 120 miles and I usually don't get the flashing bar until around 480 miles. When filling from a near empty tank, the pump shuts off around 9 gallons and I manually trickle the rest in. My highest fill was almost 11 gallons. My average MPG tends to be around 50-52.

    Since my car was originally a Toyota executive's car back in mid-2003, I have to wonder if they did something special to it so that it would work just right. Would I see any improvement? Suggestions?