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Topping off your fuel tank

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by bowzerdoo77, Dec 4, 2011.

  1. Dec 4, 2011 at 7:37 AM
    #1
    bowzerdoo77

    bowzerdoo77 [OP] U.S.M.C.

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    Ok I have jsut haerd some info about topping off your fuel tank when you fill up, they told me it puts strain on your fuel pump. Who else does it? and is it really bad for the pump.:D
     
  2. Dec 4, 2011 at 7:39 AM
    #2
    RV7Garage

    RV7Garage R.O.U.S.

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    How could topping off your tank strain your fuel pump?

    I've heard that runnng it out of gas can hurt the pump.
     
  3. Dec 4, 2011 at 7:40 AM
    #3
    gouge44

    gouge44 $DO WORK$

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    x2 its sucks up all the gunk from the tank
     
  4. Dec 4, 2011 at 7:41 AM
    #4
    AndrewFalk

    AndrewFalk Science!

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    That doesn't make any sense. The only way you can really damage your fuel pump is by running it dry, because there wouldn't be any fuel to cool it. How could adding fuel to your tank cause damage to the pump? The pump doesn't care if you add 2 gallons, or 20 gallons...all it does it pump fuel.
     
  5. Dec 4, 2011 at 7:43 AM
    #5
    rbishopp

    rbishopp Well-Known Member

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    So I should keep it at half full/empty ?

    I always top it off. Always give it a few drops more after the nozzle clicks off on its own. I have done this for years with many different vehicles and never had a fuel pump issue. I did have a fuel pump go bad but on my fathers truck and I had filled it the day before. Coincidence as far as I'm concerned. My mechanic says the pumps always go bad when the tank is full. Never empty.

    :poking:
     
  6. Dec 4, 2011 at 7:45 AM
    #6
    bowzerdoo77

    bowzerdoo77 [OP] U.S.M.C.

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    Thats what i was wondering how can preasure on the pump be bad for it? thats why i asked here.
     
  7. Dec 4, 2011 at 7:49 AM
    #7
    arrrghhh

    arrrghhh Well-Known Member

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    This ^^.

    The only "downside" to topping off is some aren't careful and spill fuel all over the ground... which obviously isn't bad for your fuel pump, it only pisses off the attendant/store employee. Costco I've noticed is really touchy about topping off, I've had some of the attendants yell at me for doing it. I tell them to F off, I'm careful :D.

    As always, running it low constantly will keep the pump hotter and could damage it over time. Plus, ze gunk! So I try to fill up before it goes below 1/4. That's the only thing I would ensure in respect to fill-ups.




    TL;DR - You won't hurt your truck topping it off... Just don't run it empty constantly.
     
  8. Dec 4, 2011 at 7:54 AM
    #8
    jandrews

    jandrews Hootin' and Hollerin'

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  9. Dec 4, 2011 at 7:56 AM
    #9
    AndrewFalk

    AndrewFalk Science!

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    :)
    You're basically saying "adding gas to my tank will damage my fuel pump." Does that make any sense to you?
     
  10. Dec 4, 2011 at 8:11 AM
    #10
    hogeyphenogey

    hogeyphenogey Back in a Tacoma

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    Do not top off! There are vents and ports for California emissions in the filler neck. When the pump stops, don't put more in. This will allow gasoline to go down into the closed canister system damaging the filter. Then you'll be spending money for a repair. Happens all the time at my shop. This vent system allows fresh air to enter into the emissions system and pressurize for constant diagnosis while driving. It can set off your check engine lamp and can cause some intermittent spitting and sputtering. Just don't top off.
     
  11. Dec 4, 2011 at 8:15 AM
    #11
    arrrghhh

    arrrghhh Well-Known Member

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    WTF?

    Is this some Cali-only thing...? I've always topped off, every vehicle pretty much every tank. Never had a problem. My truck was even made in Cali...
     
  12. Dec 4, 2011 at 8:31 AM
    #12
    JoeTacoma02

    JoeTacoma02 Well-Known Member

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    BAAAHAHAHA!! Jackie Chan! Someone put a quote on it!!
     
  13. Dec 4, 2011 at 8:45 AM
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    hogeyphenogey

    hogeyphenogey Back in a Tacoma

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  14. Dec 4, 2011 at 8:52 AM
    #14
    higherlux

    higherlux Well-Known Member

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    there is no gunk in the tank.. my 86 had 8 or so holes from rust on the outside of the tank and when i dropped it and emptied it it looked just like it would have when it came off the line in 85.

    pics
    100_0101_a7db2b807a05c1a05ac45eeca4cebf99d33ff960.jpg
    100_0099_6ccd98976e685b6de153ce683b18e21bb664095a.jpg
    100_0097_0a5ff5e25f9e9766ac4658aecd4a683f87b1dc70.jpg
    holes
    100_0102_07de5caab2be04ceb6f78d9ca6345fc8adc41c39.jpg
     
  15. Dec 4, 2011 at 8:57 AM
    #15
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon Musk Moderator

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    I top off all the time...especially in the winter to prevent fuel lines from freezing. Hell, If ur running it low it's collecting debris and crap which WILL cost u repairs.
     
  16. Dec 4, 2011 at 9:01 AM
    #16
    TeamSarcasm

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    OP do you mean the people that constantly try to get more and more gas in the tank after its filled up?
     
  17. Dec 4, 2011 at 9:02 AM
    #17
    OZ-T

    OZ-T You are going backwards

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    This ^^^ is all I've read on this subject .
     
  18. Dec 4, 2011 at 9:03 AM
    #18
    arrrghhh

    arrrghhh Well-Known Member

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    It's possible I'm just retarded, but I'm not sure why that document is supposed to convince me topping off is bad. You do realize how gas will settle because of all the air in the line going into the tank, right...?

    I'm not talking about topping up 15x so gas spills out all over the bedside, ground, and leg. That's dumb.
     
  19. Dec 4, 2011 at 9:09 AM
    #19
    hogeyphenogey

    hogeyphenogey Back in a Tacoma

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    Any time you top off, gas goes down the evap tube. Period.
     
  20. Dec 4, 2011 at 9:17 AM
    #20
    jandrews

    jandrews Hootin' and Hollerin'

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    This. It also hurts my head when people want to change the fuel filters in their Toyota vehicles.

    Toyota designed their EFI system from the beginning to NEVER need a fuel filter change, and if you read up on how it was designed, it truly never needs to be, unless you're dumping creek mud down your gas filler.

    Here is why:

    http://www.supramania.com/forums/content.php?121-The-great-fuel-filter-myth
     

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