Gravity flow auxiliary fuel tank question
- Thread starter iawoody2
- Start date
Camper Bunce
Member
I close mine when I am parked for any time. when driving I leave the valve open. I was having problems with the oem tank losing fuel do to heat expantion when full.
jimtoo
Moderator
Hi Bob,
I leave mine closed until it gets down to 1/2 or so. If I have it open with a full tank, then after 100 miles or so the check engine light comes on because I am not using any fuel it thinks something is wrong. But I also have a GM not a Ford, so I don't know if it would do the same. Also you need to have a anti-flow valve to keep it from filling up into the filler neck when the factory tank get full and taking a chance of forgetting and/or someone removing the factory filler cap and get flooded.
I did move post to better area.
Jim M
I leave mine closed until it gets down to 1/2 or so. If I have it open with a full tank, then after 100 miles or so the check engine light comes on because I am not using any fuel it thinks something is wrong. But I also have a GM not a Ford, so I don't know if it would do the same. Also you need to have a anti-flow valve to keep it from filling up into the filler neck when the factory tank get full and taking a chance of forgetting and/or someone removing the factory filler cap and get flooded.
I did move post to better area.
Jim M
branson4020
Icantre Member
What he said.
Thanks for all the quick responses. Is just confirms my thoughts. I installed my tank today and then filled the factory tank and the new auxiliary tank, opened the valve. No leaks, good. But then parked in the garage, went out tonight and had diesel on the floor coming from top of factory tank not much just drips. I shut the valve and wiped the tank off, and came to the conclusion that you guys said.
As always this forum and the people on here are the greatest.
Bob
As always this forum and the people on here are the greatest.
Bob
GOTTOYS
Well-known member
Bob, the check valve in the fitting that goes into your filler pipe needs to be in a vertical position. Your main tank will fill to that spot in the filler pipe. My guess is that even after the check valve cuts off the flow, assuming that it does, the fuel in the filler pipe may expand from warming up and start leaking out around the cap. I usually shut my aux. tank off when I'm parked. Saving as much as 30 cents a gallon when I get into another State and the convenience of not having to stop for fuel unless I want to makes it all worth it to me..Safe travels, Don
GOTTOYS
Well-known member
Gravity feed system is DOT legal. This has been discussed many times over. Not legal for gasoline. Literally thousands in use. There is a check valve in the vent in the event of a rollover as well as a check valve in the fill hose. I'm installing mine in its' second truck. One of the best things I've bought...Don
Yes I checked all connections, factory cap and check valve in the T. Not leaks anywhere. As has been said, and my initial thoughts, the pressure was forcing out of the factory tank overflow on the top. Just went out and checked since I closed the auxiliary valve and has stopped dripping.
Bob
Bob
porthole
Retired
The Fords have a pinch weld (flange) that is in the way of where most of the rollover valves end up. Makes it difficult to mount the valve vertically.
I folded that pinch over some to get my rollover to the top.
I have a gravity tank but like Jon also use a solenoid connected to an up-fitter. "If" my solenoid ever goes bad I will remove it and just use the shut off 1/4 turn valve I have at the tank.
I folded that pinch over some to get my rollover to the top.
I have a gravity tank but like Jon also use a solenoid connected to an up-fitter. "If" my solenoid ever goes bad I will remove it and just use the shut off 1/4 turn valve I have at the tank.
mobilcastle
Well-known member
Mine is open all the time and I have had no problem. I do not fill my auxiliary tank completely. Make sure when you install put the check valve in the correct position. I am very happy with mine. I like the simplicity of the system. My chevy reads the fuel correctly-Full until extra tank is empty then regular tank reading on the OEM tank. If the gravity tank is illegal then why do the manufactures keep building them? No bashing here just a simple question.
Doublegranch
Mountain Region Director-Retired
My 55 gallon tank was hooked up by my Dodge dealer. Shut off valve at the tank and hooked directly into the main fuel tank, not the filler tube. My truck tank has a factory auxiliary port fitting on the tank. I keep it full at all times and never had it leak or spill over. I also have quick connects on top to fuel my ranch equipment and a portable 12 v fuel pump. I have had this tank on my last two Dodges, no issues. When traveling, I wait until the main tank is 1/4 remaining and then flip on the valve and leave it until its time to fill up. I generally get around 1400 miles off both tanks when not pulling. Pulling I can make it from my ranch to Casper Wyo without refueling...1200 miles one way. By the way this is diesel fuel..
porthole
Retired
travelin2
Pennsylvania Chapter Leaders-retired
I have the same setup. Open the valve on reserve tank if fuel stops are far between, inconvenient, or it's cheaper to fill up down the road.
porthole
Retired
A heads up for anyone thinking of using a solenoid with their gravity fill setup. Solenoids for gravity fill fuel tanks are different then regular fuel solenoids.
They look the same with the respective manufacturers and models, the difference being that the gravity models do not need any head pressure to open.
They look the same with the respective manufacturers and models, the difference being that the gravity models do not need any head pressure to open.
