Date:         Fri, 16 Aug 2002 12:34:55 -0700
Reply-To:     Bill Kasper <dragonlist@IPMTS.UCSC.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bill Kasper <dragonlist@IPMTS.UCSC.EDU>
Subject:      Re: how much have you filled your gas tank??
Comments: To: mark drillock <drillock@earthlink.net>
In-Reply-To:  <3D5D53B5.EB042B64@earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

thanks, mark.  this is excellent information.  time to check those vent
lines!  also, i will start to park on the attendant's foot when i pull
in for gas; the trick will be making sure it is my right-rear wheel
resting thereupon.

b


On Friday, August 16, 2002, at 12:34 PM, mark drillock wrote:

> The Syncro tank filling system has some design flaws that make it
> harder
> to fill completely as every owner must have noticed.
>
> Most importantly, the filler hole in the body is not much higher than
> the top of the tank. Because the Syncro tank is mounted above the
> tranny
> this could not be helped.
>
> Secondly, the filler tube enters the side of tank near the bottom of
> the
> tank.  Once the tank is partly filled all of the air that the fuel
> displaces has to come out through the small vent line near the top of
> the tank. The fill rate must thus be less than the rate that this small
> vent can flow the displaced air.
>
> Lastly, this vent line is not at the true top or highest point of the
> tank. Unless the right rear corner of the Syncro is slightly higher
> than
> the others you simply will never be able to fill the tank completely.
>
> Mark
>
> Bill Kasper wrote:
>>
>> yes, well, i guess our pumps in santa cruz don't flow low enough to
>> prevent the kickback.  even when i try to hold it at its minimum
>> (withouth shutting off) i can at best get another third of a gallon.
>>
>> but the vents may be blocked, i've not checked that out.
>>
>> bill
>>
>> On Friday, August 16, 2002, at 12:04 PM, KimBrennan@aol.com wrote:
>>
>>> In a message dated 8/16/02 2:52:38 PM, dragonlist@IPMTS.UCSC.EDU
>>> writes:
>>>
>>>> supposed to be 18.5 gallons, but i can never get more than 15 or so
>>>> in
>>>> there.  standard problem, but it means either (a) i always have
>>>> about
>>>> 3.5 gallons when it reads below reserve, or (b) it won't fill
>>>> completely and i am getting about 30 miles to the gallon on the tank
>>>> full (just kidding, i get 14-15, usually) .
>>>
>