OK, I have my Prius for about 5 weeks now, and I have filled up the tank about once a week. Each tank can last me 600+ KMs which is pretty good compare to my old SL2 (which is not a bad car). One thing I started to hate is the gas tank. For twice already, I have a hard time to fill it up. First time it just keep ticking the gun and only filled about 11 L when it should be able to fill up 30+L. The second time, it just plan annonying, and I kinda figure out a way to fill it w/o trigger the gun as often but not fully insert it into the tank but with the fear it may over spill. Frankly I don't really care about the emissions or whatever reason that was with the bladder tank. I wish I can have the normal tank like the Japanese has. Anyone have any idea if it is even remotely possible to have the gas tank modded?
You can purchase a fuel tank from Japan or Europe and have it swapped into your car. It will not be inexpensive. I have no problem filling my tank. I put the nossle in fully and run it full blast until it shuts off. Then I pull it out and slowly run fuel into the opening until it starts to bubble out. It doesn't spill this way and I get repeatable fillups. Fueling this way I get about 200 km to the first pip going out on the fuel guage. Pearl is getting 4.7 l/100 km summer. Pearl got about 4.9 l/100 km last winter. No "pulse and glide". No messing around. I drive.
After you eat the big fat cost, you'll face the next hurdle. It's very likely that fuel input data that feeds into the appropriate ECU will cause a caniption.
Is it legal to replace an emission control equipment in the US? In Japan, the answer is NO. Ken@Japan
Since the OP refers to litres and kilometers, I'm willing to assume he's not in the U.S. But I would agree that it's probably illegal in his part of the metric world to modify an emissions control device.
Well, -I- assumed he was in Canada, based on the English used (kind of sounded like French Canadian). In Canada it's illegal for any mechanic to remove or modify pollution control equipment on your car, but the law doesn't specifically say -you- can't do it. At any rate, I doubt anyone could measure the difference from just getting rid of the bladder. That takes a pretty sophisticated set of instruments and someone qualified to use them. The car would still look stock, as it would still have a stock Toyota fuel tank. But I wouldn't bother. Too much money, and once you get used to filling the bladder equipped tank, it's no big deal. Just one caveat. DON'T set the nossle on the slowest setting and let it fill. Some will overfill before shutting off, and when you remove the nossle from the car there will be vapour under pressure (with liquid fuel above it) wanting to get out! If this does happen to you, carefully (standing to one side) press the nossle straight down towards the ground. This will create a gap in the seal -above- the nossle tube, allowing the vapour to escape slowly, taking as little fuel with it as possible. Don't ask me how I know!! *&^%$!!
I'm certain it would turn on the check engine light, which (at least in the US) is a trigger for failing emissions checks. The car's computer exercises the evaporative system to make sure it's working, and if you remove the bladder tank it isn't going to work. Lots of us are able to fill our tanks okay. Are you filling at the same pump or station? Switching to another may help.
Thx for all the advice... Yes I am Canadian eh. And I don't think it is illegal to replace the tank (unless the Japanese tank really sucks and it leaks vapor like crazy otherwise I don't think is an issue) As for the ECU, I don't think it will complain either, as long as it is a closed system. Yes, I agree the cost most likely is the biggest issue.
Just keep trying other gas stations until you find one that has Prius-friendly gas pump nozzles. I managed to find one near my work place and I tend to fill up there.
Yea I have read all suggestions about finding a prius friendly gas station. But shouldn't one don't have to pick a gas station to fill up because of the car? I think Toyota really need to redesign/rethink the gas tank design. many prius owner I have chatted with either on forum or in person, pretty much everyone experience the same issue. And why Toyota engineer didn't do something with it at the first place? Cost savings? can't think of a solution? Oh well, I guess just like everyone, we will just have to live with it.... sigh
We did an informal survey on PriusChat. Only a small minority of the responders had any trouble refueling, so I don't think you can fairly say that "pretty much everyone experience the same issue." The design of the fuel tank was done to reduce emissions - certainly not for cost savings. The bladder tank is more expensive than a conventional fuel tank. Tom
There may be one other possibility. Many posts mention repositioning the nozzle at different angles, even upside down. Some posts sound like they think the back pressure is causing the problem and they are trying to release the back pressure. The opposite may, in fact, be the case. There is a seal in the filler tube with tanks with bladders. This is to prevent the fumes from exiting the tank without first being forced to flow through the carbon filter. If the ECU senses a leak, no back pressure, it will close the appropiate valve(s) causing the pump to click off. You may want to check the nozzle for dents or other then a smooth circular surface, checking for anything that may cause the seal to leak. You may, and I don't know if this is possible, check for a damaged seal or have it checked. The system is designed to stop the pumping of fuel if it senses a leak of fumes into the atmosphere to qualify for certain emmissions ratings. Just a thought. I'll be interested in any feedback.
