Trouble filling the tank with gasoline.

[Gregski]

Now that I am getting to drive my '74 GMC "Wideside" more I am having difficulty pumping gas in it. The tank acts as if it was full even though I know she needs gas. So I have to gently squeeze the handle not all the way or it will overfill, it's a major pain to even put 5 gallons in. I try pushing the nozzle all the way in, I try holding it all the way up or all the way down, I can't seem to figure it out.

Do you guys have any idea what it can be?

[1774btcrew]

Modern nozzles aren't user friendly with the old trucks. I have pretty good luck turning it upside down to fill it but you have to hold it the whole time and can't walk away

[ChevDog1]

I have the same problem. I'll be watching to see if anyone posts a solution.

[craig113]

Check this area


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7EcWwlhzBM

[donut]

It's whatever works, doesn't seem to be a magic bullet fix, short of a late model tank and piping. IMO, the pump also plays a role. One station I use, there are a couple pumps that my truck has issue with, Other pumps, same station, no problem. Then again, this is not a "set it and forget it" deal. Sometimes, if your not holding your tongue just right, it would be quicker to fill a gas can, then dump that into the truck...
All the way in, halfway in, half throttle, upside down, sideways...

I just consider this a quirk of owning an older truck. What irritates me is the pumps don't have enough hose to reach the other tank. Have to flip the truck around to fill both tanks.

[donut]

Can't edit. Above is with the caveat that your vent is correct and piping in good shape. No PO "fixes" or mud daubers homesteading.

[Bigstevex4]

We have a 02 caravan we use for shop buggy at work
and fill up at the city pump in town have to hang that thing way out and put low?

[ChevDog1]

Originally Posted by craig113

Check this area


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7EcWwlhzBM

This looks like it very well could be the problem.

[Burmanater]

When I fill my lowered 84 I have to put the nozzle all the way in then pull It out 1 to 2 inches then press down on the gun part of the nozzle for my tank to fill worry free. I've never had a problem filling it that way. I've even got a new vent and good piping and it still has a problem where you have to leave an air gap with the nozzle to vent itself.

Not sure if it will help you or not. I just know at the stations I always get looked at cause I'm crouched filling my tank with the pump gun half out.

[Dball]

Originally Posted by Burmanater

When I fill my lowered 84 I have to put the nozzle all the way in then pull It out 1 to 2 inches then press down on the gun part of the nozzle for my tank to fill worry free. I've never had a problem filling it that way. I've even got a new vent and good piping and it still has a problem where you have to leave an air gap with the nozzle to vent itself.

Not sure if it will help you or not. I just know at the stations I always get looked at cause I'm crouched filling my tank with the pump gun half out.

This.... I'm in the same boat with my 81 pretty much have to pull the nozzle almost all the way out to get any flow.

[Oregoon]

I don't have much of a problem. But if I do, I just hold the silly fume-boot back with my left hand and hold the pump with the other. Despite Oregon having no self-service, the pump-jockey doesn't seem to mind. And if he does, I growl at him and tell him to get his hands off my pickup.

Also, I've driven semi-trucks for a living pretty much since I was a kid, so I'm in the habit of using my odometer as a gas guage and habitually calculating my fuel economy, so I have a pretty good idea how much fuel I'm going to need and I know when to quit trying to cram it in. Often, the employees don't know that, and end up spilling gas all over the side of my reasonably nice factory paint... I realize that's an Oregon-specific trouble, but keeping an eye on fuel-consumption is a good practice to get in, regardless of who fuels your ride. And if you're finagling fuel into a stubborn Squarebody, it can be the difference between a cold hike and a warm cab.

That said, there seems to be some nozzles that like my truck better than others. The Chevron Station near my house is one such place. The fuel flows smoothly, the coffee is usually reasonable, and the gals behind the counter are easy on the eyes and dig my truck.

Conversely, the Arco hates my truck, stews the coffee, and is ran by tweakers.

Ah, the joys of having a 40 year old daily driver!

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by Oregoon

I don't have much of a problem. But if I do, I just hold the silly fume-boot back with my left hand and hold the pump with the other.

Yes I have tried that to no avail.

Originally Posted by Oregoon

That said, there seems to be some nozzles that like my truck better than others. The Chevron Station near my house is one such place. The fuel flows smoothly, the coffee is usually reasonable, and the gals behind the counter are easy on the eyes and dig my truck.

Bingo! Aha, so what we are hearing is the following formula:

Pull your rubber back + good coffee + hot chics = smooth flow

[gramps77]

DANG IT!
So I didn't have to pay the extra 500 to have my old fillers swapped to the newer style when I had the truck painted?? LOL

[Oregoon]

Originally Posted by Gregski

Yes I have tried that to no avail.



Bingo! Aha, so what we are hearing is the following formula:

Pull your rubber back + good coffee + hot chics = smooth flow

PM me for the address. Oregon is a bit of a drive from Sac', but I'm only too glad to help out a fellow member!

[ChevDog1]

Oregoon- I work in SE PDX. Where is this Chevron you speak of?

[Oregoon]

Originally Posted by ChevDog1

Oregoon- I work in SE PDX. Where is this Chevron you speak of?

82nd and Stark!

It seems we travel in the same circles. My brother is building a house on Pihl Road, and you work over on my side of town.

Banks to SE--that's a hefty commute and The Sunset is no fun!

Whereabouts you work?

[MalibuSSwagon]

My formula that seems to work where ever I go is to turn the nozzle sideways and pull it out just a bit from fully seated. Then go full throttle on the filler until stops then find the sweet spot for filling speed. Works where ever I go.

[ChevDog1]

Originally Posted by Oregoon

82nd and Stark!

It seems we travel in the same circles. My brother is building a house on Pihl Road, and you work over on my side of town.

Banks to SE--that's a hefty commute and The Sunset is no fun!

Whereabouts you work?

SE 18th and Holgate. Probably a bit too far from 82nd for gas

I did blow out my vent line yesterday, so I'll post back any results the next time I fill it. Tank is full now so it will be at least a week. Driving it to work for the first time tomorrow

[brakenit]

You shouldn't feel too bad, my '04 Colorado has developed the same issue. Hopefully neither of my squares do it, I don't know since they aren't really driveable at the moment.

[slotard]

I'll be building a flatbed before too long and can easily swap the tank while I'm in there. Are there any tanks I should consider? My truck is a long bed, more fuel is better, but I might be shortening the end a little bit. I have the same problem with the tank as OP, it's slow to fill and likes to spill before it stops.

[cadillac_al]

I have one truck that takes gas no problem and my other truck takes the gas very very slow. I am positive it is the vent or sending unit clog. When they work right they should take the gas as fast as you can pump it. They are both 76's

[TexasJeff]

I have an 1980 that the first owner punched out both tanks so he could put leaded gas in at the time. So mine has the same problems, I can never pull the handle all the way and pull the nozzle out of the tank a few inches then it seems to work pretty well. I do have two other filler necks that I have from the 87 bed that I put on my truck and someday when I can left the bed off again I will replace the fillers with the later model ones.

[ChevDog1]

Originally Posted by ChevDog1

SE 18th and Holgate. Probably a bit too far from 82nd for gas

I did blow out my vent line yesterday, so I'll post back any results the next time I fill it. Tank is full now so it will be at least a week. Driving it to work for the first time tomorrow

Update - I filled the truck up last night (actually the attendant did because I'm in Oregon, and our local government doesn't feel that the average citizen is qualified to pump gas...), and clearing the vent line worked! It took gas just as fast as any of my other cars.

If you are having this problem, I highly recommend blowing out your vent line.

[gramps77]

Originally Posted by ChevDog1

Update - I filled the truck up last night (actually the attendant did because I'm in Oregon, and our local government doesn't feel that the average citizen is qualified to pump gas...), and clearing the vent line worked! It took gas just as fast as any of my other cars.

If you are having this problem, I highly recommend blowing out your vent line.

Did you get anything out of it? Was there any issues with the Evap canister?

[ChevDog1]

Evap canister seemed fine. If anything came out, it went into the tank, since I blew it from the canister end.