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the gas bladder: exposed!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by galaxee, Apr 6, 2007.

  1. Dan-Wolfe

    Dan-Wolfe Member

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

    $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
     
    golfmk681 likes this.
  2. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ Apr 7 2007, 03:16 AM) [snapback]419276[/snapback]</div>
    No Kidding! Very Bitchin. would have liked to have been there.
     
  3. RonH

    RonH Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Oxo @ Apr 7 2007, 12:35 PM) [snapback]419418[/snapback]</div>
    Now we know why the over-designed Prius is so much more life-cycle costly than the Hummer with its tin can tank!
     
  4. adam1991

    adam1991 New Member

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    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.
     
  5. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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

    Oxo New Member

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

    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.
     
  7. Rangerdavid

    Rangerdavid Senior Member

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

    Oh, and good luck on the grant writing!! B)
     
  8. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Oxo @ Apr 8 2007, 04:25 AM) [snapback]419766[/snapback]</div>
    The bladder reduces evaporative losses even more, allowing the (I can't remember the correct term, so UBER Environmentally friendly) rating for the car. ;)
     
  9. 8AA

    8AA Active Member

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    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.
     
  10. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    I don't think I've ever been more happy to be driving a car with no fuel tank. :D
     
  12. adam1991

    adam1991 New Member

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    But the Prius isn't a zero emissions car, so why does that matter?
     
  13. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(adam1991 @ Apr 9 2007, 05:14 AM) [snapback]420180[/snapback]</div>
    It's a PZEV and helps meet that standard...Bill mistyped a little.
     
  14. larkinmj

    larkinmj New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Dan-Wolfe @ Apr 7 2007, 01:45 PM) [snapback]419423[/snapback]</div>
    Dan,
    Was that an isolated incident, or was there a major problem with the supplier? I usually get my gas at a Citgo station on the Navy base in Newport, RI.
     
  15. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Apr 9 2007, 05:56 AM) [snapback]420214[/snapback]</div>
    Indeed. PARTIAL Zero Emission Vehicle. Almost as non-sensical as "Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle." These guys just crack me up.
     
  16. Mr.Vanvandenburg

    Mr.Vanvandenburg Active Member

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    Is this a rigid plastic tank (like most cars have) within a metal tank, or a "bladder?" It looks like a good device, and I can understand why we pay a little more for the Prius. That was a lot of work. It would be interesting to see a Toyota oil flter's innards to see if it is as special as they claim.
     
  17. dmckinstry

    dmckinstry New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mr.Vanvandenburg @ Apr 9 2007, 03:13 PM) [snapback]420415[/snapback]</div>
    Unless I misunderstood your question:

    Yep, it's a bladder. It's flexible and collapses as it's emptied.

    Dave M.
     
  18. adam1991

    adam1991 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Apr 9 2007, 12:33 PM) [snapback]420313[/snapback]</div>
    I'm with you. Orwellian language strikes again!

    Carlin nailed this one 30+ years ago: semi-boneless ham? JUMBO shrimp? And now we have partial zero emissions? What part of zero are they missing?

    From the guy who edits Games magazine: a driver saw a license plate on the road that said 1DIV0. What kind of car was it on?
     
  19. dmckinstry

    dmckinstry New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(adam1991 @ Apr 9 2007, 03:59 PM) [snapback]420453[/snapback]</div>
    Is there actually a car named "Infinity"?

    It does seem I've heard of one.

    Dave M.

    P.S. Is that its fuel consumption? Sorry. Couldn't resist.
     
  20. IsrAmeriPrius

    IsrAmeriPrius Progressive Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dmckinstry @ Apr 9 2007, 07:30 PM) [snapback]420582[/snapback]</div>
    Close, it is spelled with four i's and no y's.