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13.25 Gallon Fill Up!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by TFT, Jul 25, 2010.

  1. TFT

    TFT Junior Member

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    I didn't even think it was possible. I drove about 10 miles past the flashing pip. I started filling and it auto stopped at 3 gallons. I started the pump again and watched in amazement as the pump passed 12 then 13 gallons and finally clicked off at 13.25 gallons. The fuel level was all the way up to the opening and a small amount was dripping over the side maybe a half cup or so. Has anyone ever heard of such a large fill?

    I figured the fuel spilled because I was at a BP station :D, but I can't explain the amount that fit in the tank.
     
    #1 TFT, Jul 25, 2010
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    #2 JimboPalmer, Jul 25, 2010
    1 person likes this.
  3. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    Bingo!

    I was thinking that in 100+ degF temps maybe in addition to the
    bladder being fully distended the surrounding tank had stretched...

    Not!
     
    #3 Rokeby, Jul 25, 2010
  4. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    You either had a pump that cheated you, or you left a big puddle on the ground.
     
    #4 firepa63, Jul 25, 2010
  5. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    I'm guessing that the amount pumped was accurate. The filler neck and the emissions control devices all hold a significant volume of gasoline. Of course the emission control devices are now likely ruined in your car and need to be replaced.
     
    #5 darelldd, Jul 25, 2010
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  6. TFT

    TFT Junior Member

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    There was a small puddle not much though. I have been able to get 11.5 to 11.7 gallon fill up's when the gauge is flashing. It was about 95 degrees when I filled up. I've now driven 100+ miles with no adverse effects. If emission components were damaged would I see a CEL or some other indicator?
     
    #6 TFT, Jul 25, 2010
  7. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    A 1.3 gallon puddle would have been bigger than your car so that wasn't it.

    Odds are the pump was off calibration or didn't reset to zero properly before you started. You would have to deliberately do some weird things to fill your emissions components with gasoline. Put your betting money on a bad gas station pump.
     
    #7 xs650, Jul 25, 2010
  8. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    a small puddle is like being a little pregnant. Unless you have a GEN III, 13 gallons simply can't happen with a U.S. configured Gen II.

    .
     
    #8 hill, Jul 25, 2010
  9. Colonel Ronson

    Colonel Ronson New Member

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    13 gallons can't happen in a Gen III 11.9 gallon fuel tank either, with no bladder lol.
     
    #9 Colonel Ronson, Jul 25, 2010
  10. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    Since you live in FL, I suggest you visit the gulf coast and scoop up some oil from the ocean, to get your money back.
     
    #10 macmaster05, Jul 25, 2010
  11. Colonel Ronson

    Colonel Ronson New Member

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    yes because we know water diluted oil will be of great use to him =)
     
    #11 Colonel Ronson, Jul 25, 2010
  12. TFT

    TFT Junior Member

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    Contrary to all the media reports, there is no oil in the Tampa Bay region. I fish and dive almost every weekend. I have not seen any oil on the surface or under water out to 60 miles from the coast.
     
    #12 TFT, Jul 26, 2010
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    thank you disbursent.:(
     
    #13 bisco, Jul 26, 2010
  14. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    Yes if there is no CEL then I won't worry about it.

    By the way the Japanese could squeeze 60 liters into the 45 liter tank (no bladder).
    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...ld-record-1680-miles-per-tank.html#post895117
    I suppose the OP's fill tube etc. could potentially hold an extra gallon or two. ;)
     
    #14 2009Prius, Jul 26, 2010
  15. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Just to add further, you WILL NOT "damage or destroy" the evap components by filling them with fuel!
    IF you completely fill the fuel system (very hard to do) and put the fuel cap on and the fuel then expands, it's possible it can push off a hose -inside- the tank between the bladder and the steel tank. Only -THAT- will cause you to replace the fuel tank. You will get a CEL quite soon after, and the code set will indicate there is fuel between the bladder and tank.
    Try this after you accidentally overfill - put the cap on loosely. Drive a mile or so and stop and see if you can still see fuel in the filler tube. My guess is you will not (and should replace the cap and tighten it properly). In my experience there are enough vapor traps in the system that you would have to try VERY hard to completely fill it with liquid fuel. Any reasonably large vapor volume will give enough expansion room for the fuel so no damage will be done. It only takes about 1-2 litres for a tank fill to expand from about 50F to about 80F. A little more if the ambient temp is higher. If you place the cap on loosely then no pressure will be generated by the expansion. And no, in my experience a loose cap will not generate a CEL unless you leave it loose for a day or more.
     
    #15 David Beale, Jul 27, 2010
  16. turbonut

    turbonut New Member

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    Most likely the Vapor recovery sensors were inoperative, this has happened to me several times, using the automatic fill system when this happens pumps the extra fuel back into the stations tanks and you get to pay extra.
     
    #16 turbonut, Jul 27, 2010
  17. TFT

    TFT Junior Member

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    Update: 630 miles and the flashing pip returns. I pumped 11.6 gallons before the pump stopped. I was relieved that it stopped when it did but I wasn't going to allow it to go past 12 gallons. I think the 13.25 gallons must have been an accurate measure and must have been retained in the tank to have made it to 630 miles. I have not seen anything out of the ordinary with the function of the car since the overfill.
     
    #17 TFT, Jul 30, 2010
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