Tank Capacity/Tank Vent

[PJay9]

Well, Since I use my Dually to carry my Lance i thought it may be interesting to tell this story. I went to LA from Tacoma over the Thanksgiving Holiday. We took two weks to have fun a test out the new trans upgrades and the new driving lights. Before I left, I installed a tank vent kit. Wow what an improvement in fill time. Takes about a minute to top it off rather than 10 plus minutes. But here is the kicker... I pushed the fuel level to a point where I knew I was getting low about a neddle width beyound the "E" line... I mean really low, the overhead said we were long ago out of miles to go. I pulled into the fueling station in OR and filled her up. I put in 36. 9 gallons, right up to the filler cap. I guess I was running on fumes and actually scared myself as fuel stations were scarce and I was getting worried that night. i thought it was a 36 gallon tank according to the dealer and book. Must be a margine of safety DC tell us!



So has anyone had a similar experience? I feel much more confident to be able to run that low, but do know it is not a good idea as there can be BAD stuff that low in the tank. I usually fill at 1/4 to 1/8 as the reading drops fast after 1/8. Let's hear if anyone else has any tales of the tank vent. I get my Smarty Jr next week and pick up my new rear bumper from Buckstop too, Can hardly wait! PJ

 

[RDyson]

When I moved my vent line and filled it up, It took 38 gallons. That was with about 1" of fuel in the tank when I changed it. I think it adds about 4 gallons of capacity to your tank.



Randy

 

[JEstes]

I ran mine a little low a few weeks ago too... lol. It should say somewhere in your owners manual that there is a reserve of something like 8-10% of your tank capacity. In other words, if everything is calibrated properly, the overhead/fuel guage will show empty when you have a little over 3 gallons left. I'll try to find what page that was on in my manual.

 

[Fireman]

I guess I was running on fumes and actually scared myself as fuel stations were scarce and I was getting worried that night. i thought it was a 36 gallon tank according to the dealer and book.

More like 42 Gal.



A few years ago I had to clean out my tank and decided to add the vent kit while I had the tank out. I got over 1 1/2 gals of water and a shovel full of sand out of the tank When I reinstalled the tank it was bone dry. I had bought 7 gal of diesel to put in it to get me to the fuel station. I drove 5 miles to the station and pumped another 35. 5 gal.

 

[steved]

One thing all of you forget... pump volumes can be off, significantly. Don't always assume that you are getting the 20-gallons you're paying for.



This happens more than most people want to hear...



steved

 

[KBalzuweit]

One thing all of you forget... pump volumes can be off, significantly. Don't always assume that you are getting the 20-gallons you're paying for.



This happens more than most people want to hear...



steved

Thats true, I had it happen in my favor. It also made my hand calculated mpg look really good at like 33 mpg. Best part was I was filling up my aux tank (75 gallons), needless to say I went back to that pump after my next delivery too!! On the the third time back it was blocked off.

 

[GAmes]

... ... ... ... ... it is not a good idea as there can be BAD stuff that low in the tank.

OK, I'll bite. what is the problem with running the tank low? The fuel is ALWAYS taken from the bottom of the tank. The pickup tube doesn't float around on the top sucking up the upper layer, not to mention the fact that while driving the fuel is constantly being sloshed around. I periodically run my tank low just to insure the bulb still lights. Not that it really matters. If the gauge sender is malfunctioning, the low light won't work right either.

 

[PJay9]

Sorry for the delayed reply. I guess you have some very valid points that I considered. But coming from the baoting and vessel ops world a tank does exactly draw off the bottom and any sludge, debris and water will be down there. I destry your fileter and fuel system if not careful. Having a tank less han 1/3 is not good in a boat due to condensation on the tanl walls that will contaminate the fuel. Maybe this only applies to the boats and vessel, but I subscibe to these practices as much as I can to be safe. Hope you see whaere i was coming from. I do think you have valid points and will be looking inot modifying my thinking. Yes i go to the warning bing/light when I am traveling as I will be filling up right away. THX and Merry Christmas. Capt PJ

 

[MMeier]

I have put over 41 gallons into the main tank on the '03 more then once.

 

[PJay9]

I believe you! But that just scares me to try it! Maybe the tanks in the 04's are different.

 

[MMeier]

I believe you! But that just scares me to try it! Maybe the tanks in the 04's are different.

I did have some in the aux. tank. Went like 100-110 miles after my overhead said I was at "0" miles to go!