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Gas Overflow

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by liquiddigital, Nov 6, 2007.

  1. liquiddigital

    liquiddigital New Member

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    Picked up my new Black 2008 Touring last weekend (yea!).

    On my first fill-up (averaged 48.6 on the first tank) the pump never clicked off and gas overflowed from the tank. Anyone else experience this? Is there something on the dealer prep that was not done?

    FYI... This community is an amazing resource, I've been lurking here for a couple of months before I made the leap. Happy and proud to be part of the Prius family!

    Alan--
     
  2. tballx

    tballx New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(liquiddigital @ Nov 6 2007, 05:53 PM) [snapback]535875[/snapback]</div>
    This can happen if you aren't aware of a couple of things. The gas tank is actually more like a bag or bladder that can expand and contract with temperature and pressure. It's encased in steel to prevent evaporative emissions. It's actually quite slick. Also, when you open the tank, less vapor will escape since the bladder collapses as fuel is burned thus there is less room for vapor to form in the first place. If less vapor escapes, less pollution is emitted. The downside is that it can "burp" up some gas especially during cold weather fill ups. The key is to fill the tank on the slowest setting possible. Most pumps these days usually have three settings so use the slowest. If you're using a pump that doesn't have this feature, just depress the trigger about one third of its range.

    Congratulations on your purchase. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Please excuse "smileyyello." He's a spam bot and evidently a bit weak as far as English goes.
     
  3. hoop

    hoop On The South Texas Coast

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    It is more likely a pump problem. I had this happen to me last week. I was watching the pump and knew something was amiss when it hit the 12 gallon point just then it overflowed. I was feeling kinda pissed at the station owner after I told him about it not automatically shutting off, he said " yeah I know it's broke" Anyway its a law that they must automatically shut off.
     
  4. daviec

    daviec New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(liquiddigital @ Nov 6 2007, 08:53 PM) [snapback]535875[/snapback]</div>
    The same thing happened to me on the first fill-up after I got my used '05 Prius. 2 days later my check engine light came on. I thought this was unusual since the car has only 6400 miles on it. The dealer said that they had to replace the gas tank. The service report said that there was gas between the tank and the bladder. I am thinking that there was a seal that leaked at the filler neck. The repair was covered under the warranty.
     
  5. Inches

    Inches Member

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    Prime Advanced
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hoop @ Nov 6 2007, 07:12 PM) [snapback]535917[/snapback]</div>
    Report the station to the EPA, I'm sure they will be more interested next time.
     
  6. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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  7. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    It happened to me once. Ever since I don't use that pump and it has not recurred.