tired, tired, tired of gas leaking when refueling

[gramps77]

I've tried all kinds of different angles, Ive tried the radiator hose in between the nozzle and the neck......how do I stop leaking gas everytime I refuel? Is there anyway to stop it,maybe install a flange so it fits just the nozzle in like newer filler necks?

[Firebirdjones]

Haven't really heard of this being a problem before unless it's one of those goofy pump nozzles that don't work unless you are pushing the spring loaded rubber cup back.

Are you trying to run the thing full pump speed?

I never use the auto fill handle mechanism. Always keep the trigger squeezed myself so I can control the flow. I don't trust the things to shut off either. With 1/4 to 1/2 squeeze on the trigger I've never had a problem with spillage on any of my vehicles, trucks, cars, classics....

[gramps77]

Even when I set it so it can go as slow AS POSSIBLE, it will still dribble some out down the side. Good thing I dont have good paint yet. It did it before I replaced all the rubber lines to include both at the filler neck and it does it a little more now. I have dual tanks and it does it both sides. I have seen the complaint before but I'm fed up with it.

[Firebirdjones]

Wow, doing it on both tanks is odd. I have dual tanks on my 79 and haven't had this issue with either. Since it's both sides it makes me think it's something other than the vehicle? Having a kinked hose on both tanks is rather unlikely (I would think)??

[rfmaster]

It has to do CA vapor recovery nozzle design - they do not reach far enough! To fill my tanks I turn nozzle horizontal facing to the back of the truck, shove it all the way in and go easy on fuel delivery. Takes a while to fill 20G tank, but no more spills.


//RF

[gramps77]

Originally Posted by rfmaster

It has to do CA vapor recovery nozzle design - they do not reach far enough! To fill my tanks I turn nozzle horizontal facing to the back of the truck, shove it all the way in and go easy on fuel delivery. Takes a while to fill 20G tank, but no more spills.


//RF

yes, that way I get LESS, but still enough to dribble down the side. Just barely enough that it evaporates as it tries to make a drip off the bottom of the truck. FRUSTRATING.

[rfmaster]

Originally Posted by gramps77

yes, that way I get LESS, but still enough to dribble down the side. Just barely enough that it evaporates as it tries to make a drip off the bottom of the truck. FRUSTRATING.

Indeed, I had to switch from 90 deg bent fuel filler hose to 45deg to keep fuel flowing down. It helped a little bit, but not too much. The old inlet port has a large diameter that one would think would help with fuel flow, but opposite is true.

Yes, the darn CA gas is very skunky - I can attest that refueling is a PITA!

[kylep]

i just get those paper towels i live in san diego and its just hard with these pumps

[78 Big10 454]

I've been doing it for 34 years...

[chebyshortbox65]

Which style bed do you have if you have 76 and below with exposed caps good luck I'm changing from that style now to the newer setup with fuel door so hopefully all will be better after
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[brian's 77]

Ive had this problem for about 8 years. The gas attendants would always set the auto nozzle on and gas would just spill everywhere. Now I just do it myself. I dont think its that bad but u gotta get the angle right and not go full throttle on the pump. If there is a fix to this i'd definitely be interested!

[Square_78]

Ive never had a problem filling the tank on my '78. where is the gas leaking from? Is it coming back up from the filler neck? Is there a breather line or something on the top of the tank that might be plugged? I have never had a problem with mine...

[Sabaka454]

Do you have the tank vent and fill tube vent connected?

[rfmaster]

To the guys from east coast and Canada - the problem is with California mandated (CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCE BOARD = eco-gestapo) nozzle design. It is simply too short for older trucks. Add to this a vapor recovery sleeve that compresses within couple of inches of fuel neck engagement and you have perfect spill waiting to happen. Over the years I have replaced, tanks, fuel filler hoses, vent hose and necks - nothing seems to work. However, when I used old style filler nozzle problem miraculously went away.

//RF

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by rfmaster

To the guys from east coast and Canada - the problem is with California mandated (CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCE BOARD = eco-gestapo) nozzle design. It is simply too short for older trucks. Add to this a vapor recovery sleeve that compresses within couple of inches of fuel neck engagement and you have perfect spill waiting to happen. Over the years I have replaced, tanks, fuel filler hoses, vent hose and necks - nothing seems to work. However, when I used old style filler nozzle problem miraculously went away.

//RF

Correct. I deal with these when we frequent California. I had briefly mentioned it in my first post when I mentioned the goofy nozzle designs will sometimes cause problems, but the original poster didn't mention what style of pump he was using so I could only speculate.


I found that when using those, I have to manually pull back the vapor recovery sleeve with one hand so the pump activates, and pump with the other hand. Real pain in the butt, but it works without spillage.

I find it's easier in my truck because you are standing up while filling, and have plenty of room to mess around with the vapor recovery sleeve. Where it's a real pain is when I'm filling up my 70 formy or 72 chevelle where the fill neck is behind the rear pull down license plate, and you have the bumper that you also have to deal with, all while you are squatting down. You almost can't even get the short nozzle into the filler neck "AT ALL".
Luckily when that spills it winds up on the ground and not my paint. So much for the EPA regulated pumps that are supposed to be good for the environment when you wind up with a gallon of gas on the ground

[gramps77]

Originally Posted by rfmaster

To the guys from east coast and Canada - the problem is with California mandated (CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCE BOARD = eco-gestapo) nozzle design. It is simply too short for older trucks. Add to this a vapor recovery sleeve that compresses within couple of inches of fuel neck engagement and you have perfect spill waiting to happen. Over the years I have replaced, tanks, fuel filler hoses, vent hose and necks - nothing seems to work. However, when I used old style filler nozzle problem miraculously went away.

//RF

you guys are right. Im talking about these crazy CA nozzles with the sleeve. I'll have to start trying to manually hold it back and see what happens. I can press as hard as possible and get the nozzle in there but some always leaks out.

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by gramps77

you guys are right. Im talking about these crazy CA nozzles with the sleeve. I'll have to start trying to manually hold it back and see what happens. I can press as hard as possible and get the nozzle in there but some always leaks out.

Yep, I mentioned that in my first post. I was wondering if that was your issue or not. Didn't know if you were using them. I don't care for those things either.

[Hevy]

Originally Posted by rfmaster

To the guys from east coast and Canada - the problem is with California mandated (CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCE BOARD = eco-gestapo) nozzle design. It is simply too short for older trucks. Add to this a vapor recovery sleeve that compresses within couple of inches of fuel neck engagement and you have perfect spill waiting to happen. Over the years I have replaced, tanks, fuel filler hoses, vent hose and necks - nothing seems to work. However, when I used old style filler nozzle problem miraculously went away.

//RF

It's not those CARB nozzles... my '77 does the same thing here. It drives me nuts! No matter how slow I pump it drips down the fleetside.

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by Hevy

It's not those CARB nozzles... my '77 does the same thing here. It drives me nuts! No matter how slow I pump it drips down the fleetside.

I'd say that's an issue with your truck then. I've driven my 79 fleetside all over Arizona and pumped gas just about everywhere and never have an issue with either tank.

[Corts60]

With certain modern nozzles, the pre-'79 beds tend to leak. It is just a fact of life that we have to live with. Mine leaks damn near every time I use it, but every now and then I will chance upon a station that has a filler nozzle that slips right in. The only time the early beds won't leak is if the nozzle completely gets into the fill tube to the hilt, or you trickle fuel down slowly with nozzles that don't fit in right.

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by Corts60

With certain modern nozzles, the pre-'79 beds tend to leak. It is just a fact of life that we have to live with. Mine leaks damn near every time I use it, but every now and then I will chance upon a station that has a filler nozzle that slips right in. The only time the early beds won't leak is if the nozzle completely gets into the fill tube to the hilt, or you trickle fuel down slowly with nozzles that don't fit in right.

I'm thinking it could be a difference of model trucks too since I don't see this issue with my 79.

Mine is a factory 1 ton with a 454. The fill necks are still the large "leaded" style openings. Not the tiny unleaded holes found in cars and trucks starting in the mid 70's. Since my truck never came with catalitic converters, it was rated for use with leaded fuels as well (even though they were decreasing lead at that time) so the larger leaded pump nozzles fit in my filler necks. If you were around back then, you may remember the bigger pump nozzles with leaded fuel.

This could contribute to why I never have an issue with my truck or any of my classic cars (they are all leaded style vehicles with larger filler openings).

Something to keep in mind. I believe the cutoff for trucks of this vintage (73 and up) was a GVW of 8500 lbs. or more, which eliminated converters and received larger fill necks. 1/2 tons will likely still have small fill necks. Another quick way to tell is the gas gauge. Mine doesn't say "unleaded fuel only" like other smaller capacity trucks do, it's just a plain gas gauge

[88Jimmy4x4]

Originally Posted by Corts60

With certain modern nozzles, the pre-'79 beds tend to leak. It is just a fact of life that we have to live with. Mine leaks damn near every time I use it, but every now and then I will chance upon a station that has a filler nozzle that slips right in. The only time the early beds won't leak is if the nozzle completely gets into the fill tube to the hilt, or you trickle fuel down slowly with nozzles that don't fit in right.

wow...never had a problem in Houston with my 76

[philobeddoe]

Originally Posted by Hevy

It's not those CARB nozzles... my '77 does the same thing here. It drives me nuts! No matter how slow I pump it drips down the fleetside.

I also have a 77 and I have to pump slow or it will back up and shut the pump off (like the tank is full). Sometimes it will spill too. Chevy should have placed the outlet higher up!! What's our solution??

[jdf915]

Originally Posted by philobeddoe

I also have a 77 and I have to pump slow or it will back up and shut the pump off (like the tank is full). Sometimes it will spill too. Chevy should have placed the outlet higher up!! What's our solution??

Using a late model fill tube might work but that's just an idea, I'll have to see if it works on mine.
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[1BadAction]

Cut sleeve off with knife, remove, write FU CARB on the fuel pump in sharpie and pump fuel into tank unhindered. Problem solved.

Just kidding, never seen one. Sucks that you have such a pain when trying to get fuel, you'd think the price would be enough...