uneven fuel level in the tanks

Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 02-08-2007, 12:09 AM
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 64
Default uneven fuel level in the tanks

I noticed today that my fuel gauge hadnt moved for a while so when I got home I took a stick and dipped the tanks, the right one had about 4 inches more fuel than the left one. I could hear fuel dropping into both tanks while the engine was running. Both the fill caps were buried under snow, and the vent tube on the right side had ice and snow froze to it, so Am I safe to assume that possibly the right tank quit venting so therefor it quit sucking fuel from that tank? The guage only works for the right tank. I usually just fill the right tank {its just easier to do it that way where I buy my fuel}, and in a couple hours or at least by morning both tanks have equaled out. Im not even sure how it equals out since theres no hose connected to the bottom of the tanks, just 2 hoses coming out the top of each one, but it seems to equal out even when the truck is shut off. Any thoughts?
 
  #2  
Old 02-08-2007, 12:19 AM
Fredog's Avatar
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: North Georgia
Posts: 3,756
Default Re: uneven fuel level in the tanks

Originally Posted by bibnflannel
I noticed today that my fuel gauge hadnt moved for a while so when I got home I took a stick and dipped the tanks, the right one had about 4 inches more fuel than the left one. I could hear fuel dropping into both tanks while the engine was running. Both the fill caps were buried under snow, and the vent tube on the right side had ice and snow froze to it, so Am I safe to assume that possibly the right tank quit venting so therefor it quit sucking fuel from that tank? The guage only works for the right tank. I usually just fill the right tank {its just easier to do it that way where I buy my fuel}, and in a couple hours or at least by morning both tanks have equaled out. Im not even sure how it equals out since theres no hose connected to the bottom of the tanks, just 2 hoses coming out the top of each one, but it seems to equal out even when the truck is shut off. Any thoughts?
I had that happen once, the vent in the fuel cap was plugged, new cap fixed it. so the ice was probably your problem
 
  #3  
Old 02-08-2007, 01:02 AM
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: jackassville (winnipeg, mb)
Posts: 3,280
Default

You have to keep both the tube vent and the cap clear of snow/ice. This is very important.

Also, you might have ice buildup in one of the return lines. How cold is it there?
 
  #4  
Old 02-08-2007, 09:20 AM
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 64
Default

its about 5f below zero right now, beautifull day for trucking! I think Ill take the caps off and thaw em out good before I leave. I did hear fuel dropping into both tanks while it was sunning so i dont think the return line is froze
 
  #5  
Old 02-08-2007, 12:25 PM
bob h's Avatar
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Nb
Posts: 752
Default Re: uneven fuel level in the tanks

Originally Posted by bibnflannel
I noticed today that my fuel gauge hadnt moved for a while so when I got home I took a stick and dipped the tanks, the right one had about 4 inches more fuel than the left one. I could hear fuel dropping into both tanks while the engine was running.

quite often return lines are submerged in the fuel to eliminate agitation/foaming of the fuel

Both the fill caps were buried under snow, and the vent tube on the right side had ice and snow froze to it, so Am I safe to assume that possibly the right tank quit venting so therefor it quit sucking fuel from that tank?

when one tank makes more fuel than the other, there is one of two problems ; on the fuller tank the fuel is not being pulled, or on the lower tank the fuel is not returned

i would bet that you will find a vent line that can't breathe


The guage only works for the right tank. I usually just fill the right tank {its just easier to do it that way where I buy my fuel}, and in a couple hours or at least by morning both tanks have equaled out. Im not even sure how it equals out since theres no hose connected to the bottom of the tanks, just 2 hoses coming out the top of each one, but it seems to equal out even when the truck is shut off. Any thoughts?
 
__________________
Bob H
  #6  
Old 02-09-2007, 01:08 AM
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 64
Default

Yeppers. cleaned the vent tubes and both tanks equalized. Its sure nice when the fuel is all heated up and things are running smooth in this kind of cold, I bet I saw 15 trucks sitting on the roadsides today and Id bet almost all of em were gelled or one system or another was froze up. Maintenance maintenance maintenance, thats the name of the game in winter, dont spare the fuel additives and keep the air lines clean and dry!
 




Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



All times are GMT. The time now is 07:19 AM.

Top