Faster Fill-ups...Shorten the Breather Hose?

[dPierce]

I read on another thread that shortening the length/distance the breather hose inside the fule tank will reduce the amount of time it takes to add those last 3 to 4 gallons at fill-up time.



It would make sense that if the breather hose is sitting below the fill line of the tank by 2,3, or 4 inches that it would really slow down the topping off process.



Has anyone tried this? If so, how much can you safely cut off, or leave protrunding into the tank?



If no one responds, I'll take a look soon and get back to the forum with info.

 

[Jeff Clark]

It works that way on the Fords. You have to be careful with what you use to cut it. I don't know what it is made of on Dodge, but Ford uses PVC pipe. Cut it with the wrong tool and you have a mess in the tank.



If the problem is a breather tube that is too long, cutting it off shorter will solve it.

 

[Ladders]

Had the "dreaded" overflow tube sticking in the filler tooo much to use the big pumps. Took the handi tool to it and ground it down even with the filler neck (off the truck - of course) sew Is could use dem.





SOTSU!!

\\BF//

 

[Blakers]

How does the vent tube go into the tank? Is it just a rubber hose that pushes in? Give us details if you can. I know on a steel tank it is soldered in and can't easily be cut off.



Thanks.

 

[gsbrockman]

What a PITA topping off is. Actually timed it with my stopwatch this evening during fill-up and it took 9 minutes 20 seconds to put in that last 3. 7 gallons. With my 2000 RAM 2500, I could have filled up, topped off, rung up, approved, signed, and been pulling off the premises in 9:20.

Greg

 

[dPierce]

O. K. guys, with all the mechanical know-how around here, we really need to tackle this slow fill-up problem... . here's why... .



I'm filling at a Road Ranger last night crowded with Semis trying to squeeze in the last three gallons so I can run farther and get accurate mileage calcs. The trucker at the next pump sees me there for 5 mins. with the nozzle half in the fill neck and yells over, "There's a pump with the small nozzle for pick-ups at the end of the row". He's was cool and just trying to help, but still embarrassing.



Let's get out head together and figure this damn thing out.



BTW... Me and a handful of buddies will be at Sheids next weekend.



Pierce

 

[DHess]

Pierce - thanks for bringing this up again. This problem has been mentioned a couple times the last 6-8 months but never went anywhere. Maybe this time we can get some insight into this PITA problem. Taking 10-15 minutes to completely fill up isn't too bad at 2:00 in the morning with the truck stop nearly deserted, but when rigs are lined up or it's 10 below with a stiff wind it's a different story. I've talked to four dealerships about this and all said I was the first to mention it (typical)- even the one I talked to last week. Finding a fix is worth a case of beer.



Dave

 

[RBender]

I've been thinking about this problem. I went out and looked at the breather hose where it goes in the tank. One hose clamp and you can take off the hose off the nipple that goes into the tank. It looks like to me that the nipple is one of those plastic twist and turn pieces with a rubber gasket between it and the tank. What do you guys think?? Does anyone have the tech manual and does it show how this piece comes out? If someone gets to the dealership, would they stop by the parts counter and ask to see the exploded parts diagram for the tank? How much for a new plastic nipple and new gasket?



We need more information!

 

[dPierce]

I'm at work, so I can't run out and look at the truck. Where does the hose/nipple enter the tank? On the top or the side? I'll pull mine off this weekend if the tank is low enough.

 

[RBender]

I'm sure you've checked it by now. It's on the top, by the side, where the filler hose goes into the tank. It doesn't look to hard to get to.

 

[dieselpilot1969]

I got a tech manual, i'll have a look and get back w/ all soon

 

[dieselpilot1969]

all the tech manual shows is diagram of what is what, how to drop the tank, and how to remove the module ontop of the tank

 

[inarush76]

the hunt is on

We should all watch our local dealers for a cab and chassis that hasn't had a bed installed yet. That would allow a walk up exam of the vent. I will be on the look out. The first one to find one should report back.

James

 

[Jeff Clark]

Come on James! We'll just pull the bed off yours at the next meeting.

 

[inarush76]

Jeff, you might talk me into it, but my wife may go into "frying pan" mode. :--) She's pretty particular about the truck.

 

[dPierce]

Another angle

I looked at the set-up this morning and the breather hose goes into the top of the tank. I'm starting to think that this problem has more to do with the size of the fill neck than the breather hose. Most semis have a very short and wide filler neck, which obviously eliminates the foaming issue that we experience. I would assume that increasing the size (inside diameter) of the filler neck (which is metal for about the first 18" to 24" and a rubber hose for the last couple feet) would reduce the issue of foam filling the neck.



I'm thinking that I'll cut my filler neck off just inside the fender and install a 1/2" to 1" larger (inside diameter) rubber hose from there to just above the tank, where I'll need to reduce it back down to the stock size to connect to the tank opening. I'll of course need some type of reducing coupling at each end.



What do you guys think??

 

[Jeff Clark]

I have a problem filling mine regardless of the nozzle size. I do know that on a Ford the tank does not vent properly b/c the vent tube is covered by the level in the tank and then must vent back out the filler neck causing heavy foaming. I haven't seen the inside of the 03 tank so I don't know what's in there. I would imagine that the problem is similar.

 

[dPierce]

Jeff,



I'm talking about the filler neck size on the truck (the thingy you stick the fuel nozzle in after removing the fuel cap). I am wondering if it was larger if the amount of foam would be reduced?



The size of the fuel station's nozzle (connected to the pump) seems to have little impact on the amount of foam. Although I always fill up at places using the bigger nozzle, I've heard the smaller ones to generate slightly more foam.



Pierce

 

[KTaylor]

Have 03 With Slow Fill Up Problem, Probably 10 Minutes For Last 6 Gallons. Dropped Fuel Tank Last Friday To Where I Could See Top Of Tank . I Don't Believe The Vent Tube Is Removeable, May Be Able To Remove Tank From Under Truck And Go In Through Large Opening On Top of Tank Where Suction, Return Line And Float Enters Tank. Looks Like Approx. 4 Inch Opening. I Didn't Persue This Because I Believe The Problem Is The Front Half Where The Fill And Vent Line Enters The Tank Is Probably 5 Inches Lower Than The Back Half Of The Tank. Probably About 5 Gallons Of Air Has To Be Displaced. Like Turning A Bucket Upside Down In Water And Trying To Get It To Fill. Hope I Am Wrong About This And Someone Comes Up With A Fix.

I Have Run Fuel Guage To Red (empty) And Put 38 Gallons In Tank. My 99 Would Only Hold 30 Gallons @ Empty Mark. Warning Light Doesn't Come On Until On Red. 99 @ 1/8 Tank

 

[dPierce]

Ken,



I have SWB base, which has a 34 gallon tank vs. your 35 on the LWB, so I'm able to put in 34 to 35 gallons when the light comes on. I would guess if I ran it lower I'd be a gallon or two shy of your 38.



If the vent enters at the lower end of the tank, adding a vent at the tanks highest point would be the logical solution. Of course, this would not be an easy job given the need to either raise the bed or lower the tank, drilling the tank without getting lots of shavings inside (I know it's plastic), etc.



If someone developed a kit to fix this problem, they could sell it through places like Genos and probably make a few bucks