Fuel leak when topping off tank on a 2016 ctd

[Jwskj]

Last October, I took delivery of a custom ordered 2016 2500 from a dealer 2000 miles from home.
On the trip back home I naturally had to fill the tank a few times.
Since I'm retentive about calculating my fuel mileage, whenever I filled-up, I filled it all the way up as full as I could get it so that I could make the mileage computation.
At each fill-up when the fuel was visible in the filler hole, I would wind-up with about a cup of diesel that dripped onto the ground.
It only started dripping when I could see the fuel in the filler neck, and I would only loose about a cup full before the leaking stopped.
I brought it to the dealer when I got back home, and after about 3 or 4 visits over a 2 month period where he kept the truck for several days, I was told that that the fuel fill system was designed that way and that I shouldn't top-off the tank.
The recommended action is to quit filling when the nozzle clicks off and not add any fuel after that.
I know that I'm not the only guy that likes to top-off the tank so I need to know...
Does anybody else have the same top-off/leaking problem that I do with their 2016, or is my dealer blowing smoke?
I really have a hard time accepting the dealer's explanation and his solution.
The 2016 is my 6th Dodge/RAM CTD and I have never had this problem before.

 

[gsbrockman]

Since we have a capless fill, and thus two fuel flappers, that's exactly why you're experiencing the leak. Mine does it as well if I'm topping off completely.

 

[kthaxton]

This is why they come with a special funnel for adding gas from a gas can etc....it actuates the second flapper.

Another member here recently mentioned how he added a fuel treatment without using the funnel and everything poured out onto the ground.

I think all makes of cars and trucks will tell you not to "top off" after the pump shuts off.....even though the reasons to not do that on our Rams is slightly different.

 

[Mingoglia]

I stopped trying to fill it all the way up, like I used to do with my 2nd gen. I just let it click off. I count 10 seconds, pull the handle again and when it clicks off the second time I call it good. Still satisfies my OCD just enough to think I'm getting a consistent amount of fuel each time. If it's not, and you have proof it's not keep it to yourself... like I said, it's "enough" to satisfy my OCD. Any proof on the contrary will make my head explode, so don't ruin my day.

 

[Larry Willard]

I stopped trying to fill it all the way up, like I used to do with my 2nd gen. I just let it click off. I count 10 seconds, pull the handle again and when it clicks off the second time I call it good. Still satisfies my OCD just enough to think I'm getting a consistent amount of fuel each time. If it's not, and you have proof it's not keep it to yourself... like I said, it's "enough" to satisfy my OCD. Any proof on the contrary will make my head explode, so don't ruin my day.

How I do it as well after clicking too many times and spilling fuel.

 

[Bob4x4]

There is a vent at the top of the tank,it has a hose attatcthed that goes up to the fuel fill tube held in place with ty wraps.That is where the fuel comes out at the top off

 

[wyosteve]

Not meaning to sound critical, but I don't see the logic behind worrying so much about fuel mileage. I bought the truck to do a certain job and when the tank is low, I'll fill it. To me it makes no difference if I'm getting 16.1 vs. 16.2 or whatever. I realize following general fuel mileage can alert one to a problem, but worrying about minute differences has no value to me. Just my .02!

 

[kthaxton]

I agree. Plus, continuously filling the tank until the pump shuts off automatically is certainly consistent enough for mileage calculations.

 

[Berrigan]

I agree. Plus, continuously filling the tank until the pump shuts off automatically is certainly consistent enough for mileage calculations.

For normal people yes, for us OCDers there is a drive inside that says was the last tank a 17.42 mpg tank or a 17.47? We need to be sure! I have even avoided pump bays that didn't look level. Its just the way we are. To the original posters question, one time I had the spill you spoke of. I do not top off this truck and never have. I agree with Bob 4x4. Its the vent line.

 

[MLee]

The Ram people tell you not to top it of. When you get the first shut off automatically that should be it.(recommended). Some have stated the second click, don't over fill the neck. Its designed to do what its doing.

 

[kthaxton]

For normal people yes, for us OCDers there is a drive inside that says was the last tank a 17.42 mpg tank or a 17.47? We need to be sure! I have even avoided pump bays that didn't look level. Its just the way we are. To the original posters question, one time I had the spill you spoke of. I do not top off this truck and never have. I agree with Bob 4x4. Its the vent line.

Hmmm, Dr Phil hasn't addressed this before......new show idea!

 

[Jwskj]

Thanks for the feedback.
Yup, I agree that it doesn't really matter if the true mileage calculated to be 16.42MPG or 16.47MPG, but for some of us retentive SOB's we would just like to know...just because.
Also, there's some of us who try to milk the tank for every last mile before we refill, and maybe getting that extra 1/2 mile will get us somewhere important.
I know that to some the rationale isn't logical, but there really are some of owners out there that live on the other side of common sense.
Other than the fuel thing, the truck is fantastic!
I don't use it the way many of you do...no tugging, no hauling, no loads, just an everyday user and a highway cruiser.
It's the most comfortable, quietest, safest, and most enjoyable ride I've ever owned, and it has very few minor features that I would even alter.
So I guess I'll just accept the overfill/leak problem and just smile every time I get in.
Thanks again for all of your commentary...I feel better now.

 

[gsbrockman]

There is a vent at the top of the tank,it has a hose attatcthed that goes up to the fuel fill tube held in place with ty wraps.That is where the fuel comes out at the top off

After just looking at my '14.....I can say with 99% certainty that the spilled fuel at top off is coming from the neck assembly where the two flappers are. There's little chance that the vent hose can "dispense" the amount of fuel onto the ground at the rate I've seen during past top-offs.

 

[Berrigan]

Hmmm, Dr Phil hasn't addressed this before......new show idea!

What would really get Dr. Phil interested would be a video of me setting a 4 foot carpenters level on the pump bay floor before pulling in. Just kidding, I have not done that. That would just be super anal OCD. Almost as bad as removing bird dung from the hood to improve airflow. I am quite sane, I remove bird dung for appearance reasons only.

 

[CRodi]

Leave it on there long enough, especially in the sun and it'll burn the paint right off. Don't know what kind of worms those birds are eating, but it seems to be high in acidic content.

Saw it years ago on a neighbour's Mustang. Left a rust spot the size of a 50 cent piece on his roof. Maybe today's clear coats and paints are a lot more resistant, but I always remove it as soon as I see it. That's what WD-40 is for, right?

Didn't mean to get off topic.....back to the regularly scheduled program......

 

[TCollier]

After just looking at my '14.....I can say with 99% certainty that the spilled fuel at top off is coming from the neck assembly where the two flappers are. There's little chance that the vent hose can "dispense" the amount of fuel onto the ground at the rate I've seen during past top-offs.

I've always thought the same thing, that the fuel is dropped out of the neck some how. I don't recall seeing anything in the main fill neck that would do that when I was researching ways of plumbing in my aux fuel tank. But I wasn't looking for that at the time though.

 

[Ram4Sam]

The solution for this spillage is real simple......:-laf

Sam

 

[Eagle6.7L]

Jwsj,I might be wrong but in my previous post and on the Cummin's forum they have reported back as far as 2013 MY.Jwsj could you look underneath the wheel well and see if you have a wet fuel hose.I think it still fuel vents through the vent canistar,while the pump is running the amount of air that is purging through the vent line cause's a vacumn which draws fuel towards the end of the fill-up.Topping off aggreagates it as well.Why else is my fuel tank hose wet on the outside,no fuel should be anywere outside on the fuel system components,while fueling.I also do not top off rather just letting the pump shut off,by itself.

 

[TCollier]

The solution for this spillage is real simple......:-laf

Sam

It is indeed. It just took a few different tries to realize I won't be squeezing enough fuel in to see it in the pipe anymore.

 

[Cummins12V98]

After mine clicks off I SLOWLY fill mine until I see a drip hit the ground then stop. That way I know the tank is full and I have as much fuel in the TOO SMALL tank as possible. I also know my exact mileage every time.