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Discussion Topic:
Tank Overflow
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MG |
08-10-2012 @ 4:38 PM
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Senior
Posts: 1263
Joined: Nov 2009
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Have any of you experienced gasoline overflow out the filler pipe on hot days? This happened to me today. I filled the tank about a week ago but did not drive the car but for just a few miles. The temperature here today got up to just a little over 90 degrees and the car was sitting outside in partial sun. I walked out of my garage and noticed the smell of gas and found that gas was flowing out of my tank from under the gas cap. Is it that this new formulated gas expands that much on hot days or is there something else going on?
This message was edited by MG on 8-10-12 @ 4:59 PM
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deluxe40 |
08-10-2012 @ 5:15 PM
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Member
Posts: 413
Joined: Oct 2009
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Yes, I took my '39 to a car show a couple of years ago. Filled up the tank on the way to the show so I would be ready to head for home at the end of the day. After about four hours in the sun gas started running down the fender onto the grass. I grabbed my portable jack out of the trunk and jacked up the left rear until it stopped.
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wrosenkrans |
08-11-2012 @ 6:25 AM
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New Member
Posts: 134
Joined: Oct 2010
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I've had the experience of filling the tank on my Model A on a hot day and having the gas expand in the tank and overflow. Filled to the usual shut-off point, put the cap back on, put the nozzle away, turned back to see gas seeping around the cap. Loosened the cap and gas gushed from the filler all over the cowl. Seemed to happen when the new gas was cold and put into a warmer tank. The gas expanded as it warmed up enough to overflow the tank. Now I don't fill up past 7 gal. and havn't had a repeat of the problem. Bit un-nerving when it happened though...
Wayne & Barb '42 Super De Luxe Tudor
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lightflyer1 |
08-25-2012 @ 7:59 AM
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New Member
Posts: 107
Joined: Oct 2009
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I used to fill mine up when coming home at a station near my house. Parked in garage with door to evening sun. Went out to do some work and left the garage door open. A few hours later I noticed a gas smell in garage and found fuel running out the filler tube and cap as described. Grabbed a hose and siphoned some out until it stopped. Cleaned up the mess. I never try to get it full now, just keep it at 1/2 to 3/4's or so, unless I am driving some distance immeadiately. 1935 Model 48 fordor deluxe slant back.
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supereal |
08-25-2012 @ 10:12 AM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
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Gasoline does expand considerably when it gets warm. Most of it is stored in underground tanks at the filling station, and is generally around 60 degrees It doesn't take much to have it swell up, particularly when the ambient temp is 80-100 degrees, as it has been this summer. I fill only until the automatic cutoff stops the pump flow.
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Oldad |
08-25-2012 @ 4:48 PM
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New Member
Posts: 111
Joined: May 2012
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As supereal has said gasoline does expand as it warms and in underground tanks is usually aroung 60 degrees F. The factor of expansion is sufficient that at wholesale level gallons sold is adjusted to 60 degrees F to determine price paid. The coefficient of expansion for gasoline is .069 % for each degree F. If you topped off a 20 gallon tank with 60 degree gasoline and it warmed to 90 degrees you would have an additional .41 gallons that have to go somewhere--usually on the ground. Yes I know flathead Ford tanks don't hold 20 gallons but I used that number for illustration.
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42wagon |
08-26-2012 @ 5:07 AM
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Senior
Posts: 586
Joined: Oct 2009
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Back in the "good old days" that guys like me and supereal remember this was a common occurrence. You filled the tank on a cool summer morning and topped it off. Once the day warmed up you would have gas dripping on the ground. Not to worry, nothing is wrong with your car just don't top off the tank Ted
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51f1 |
08-26-2012 @ 6:07 AM
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Senior
Posts: 573
Joined: Oct 2009
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My flathead Ford has a 20 gallon tank.
Richard
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fomocoloco |
08-26-2012 @ 6:27 AM
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Member
Posts: 85
Joined: Jun 2010
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Please tell us more about your 20 gal. gas tank.
weezer
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supereal |
08-26-2012 @ 11:48 AM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
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I bought my plastic tank from Yogi's. They manufacture them at a subsidiary called "Tanks, Inc". Mine has an external vent that fits up in the left rear fender. If any gas does overfill the tank, it is released to the ground, not down the side of the car.
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