Fuel Capacity
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Central Texas
Fuel Capacity
I have a 29 gallon tank. This morning my fuel warning light comes on. I drove about 4 miles to the station. I pumped in 30 gallons of fuel. Assuming that I had about 3 gallons of fuel left when the light came on and the station didn't have their pumps adjusted to rip me off, I had about 32 gallons in my tank with the fuel filled up to the very top of the filler neck.
That sound about right? Anybody ever measure it out?
That sound about right? Anybody ever measure it out?
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Denton,TX
The listed capacity of a fuel tank is always less than you can actually fit in it. I've heard stories of people squeezing 22 gallons into a 19 gallon tank (the old dual-tank Fords).
FYI, diesel fuel expands a lot more than gas when it's heated, so I wouldn't recommend filling it that full unless you are planning on driving for a while immediately.
FYI, diesel fuel expands a lot more than gas when it's heated, so I wouldn't recommend filling it that full unless you are planning on driving for a while immediately.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Carlsbad, California
Originally Posted by johnsdiesel
The listed capacity of a fuel tank is always less than you can actually fit in it. I've heard stories of people squeezing 22 gallons into a 19 gallon tank (the old dual-tank Fords).
FYI, diesel fuel expands a lot more than gas when it's heated, so I wouldn't recommend filling it that full unless you are planning on driving for a while immediately.
FYI, diesel fuel expands a lot more than gas when it's heated, so I wouldn't recommend filling it that full unless you are planning on driving for a while immediately.
See post #113 https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...&postcount=113
Basically, the thermal expansion of diesel fuel is 0.00046 per deg F.
If you filled up the empty truck to 29 gal and the temp of the fuel in the storage tank was 50 deg F and the outside temp was 100 deg F, the fuel in the truck's tank would expand by 0.667 gallons.
So as long as you leave just a bit of room in the filler neck, or drive for a few miles, you'll be OK.
I routinely fill my to the top of the filler neck and have never had a problem.
Daryl
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,369
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From: Stuttgart, Ar
Steve--maybe your fuel sender is going out--I know Ford had problems with the '03's there is a service bulletin but I lost it in the move--I ran out on the interstate with 3/8's of a tank --if you put in 30 gallons then I think you got ripped off 
. just MY $.02--LMAO
. just MY $.02--LMAO
Hotshot
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From: Stuttgart, Ar
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Central Texas
I'll have to carefully measure a container and take it donw there and fill it up. See if I am getting ripped off. I ran across that at an Exxon station in Goliad, Texas. I went to fill up a 6.5 gallon boat motor tank that had a bout 1/2 gallon still in the tank. I added about a quart of 2 cycle oil. The I proceeded to fill it up with gas. Pump read 7.2 gallons and I wasn't full. I raised heck with Exxon and tried to contact good ol State of Texas. Go nowhere. Exxon's response was that it was an independent dealer and they couldn't do anything about it.
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Got Diesel?
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Originally Posted by SBV45
I have a 29 gallon tank. This morning my fuel warning light comes on. I drove about 4 miles to the station. I pumped in 30 gallons of fuel. Assuming that I had about 3 gallons of fuel left when the light came on and the station didn't have their pumps adjusted to rip me off, I had about 32 gallons in my tank with the fuel filled up to the very top of the filler neck.
That sound about right? Anybody ever measure it out?
That sound about right? Anybody ever measure it out?
Man, the fuel guage was never designed as a "perfect guage". Personally, I do not drive my truck down that low and if the warning light comes on, yes I/we all think there is some cushion... but it is an "idot light".... meaning your an idiot for not refueling sooner!!!! (sorry Steve).
The extra fuel you pumped in was the fuel that filles up the filler next and return lines in your system & tank. My 44 gallon Excursion tank (a real man's tank) hold just over 44 gallons, but not much though if the return lines and filler neck are filled.
Good luck and I think that you just need to fill up sooner (and by a beer while your doing so).... A GREAT REASON TO ALWAYS STOP AND FILL UP!!!
Thanks,
Jeff
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From: 3rd Rock
Originally Posted by SBV45
I'll have to carefully measure a container and take it donw there and fill it up. See if I am getting ripped off. I ran across that at an Exxon station in Goliad, Texas. I went to fill up a 6.5 gallon boat motor tank that had a bout 1/2 gallon still in the tank. I added about a quart of 2 cycle oil. The I proceeded to fill it up with gas. Pump read 7.2 gallons and I wasn't full. I raised heck with Exxon and tried to contact good ol State of Texas. Go nowhere. Exxon's response was that it was an independent dealer and they couldn't do anything about it.
Got Diesel?
Joined: Jan 2004
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Originally Posted by SBV45
I have a 29 gallon tank. This morning my fuel warning light comes on. I drove about 4 miles to the station. I pumped in 30 gallons of fuel. Assuming that I had about 3 gallons of fuel left when the light came on and the station didn't have their pumps adjusted to rip me off, I had about 32 gallons in my tank with the fuel filled up to the very top of the filler neck.
That sound about right? Anybody ever measure it out?
That sound about right? Anybody ever measure it out?
Fuel Level Less Than Indicated by Fuel Gauge:
Some F-Series and Excursions built between 12-1-02 and 4-14-03 may exhibit an inaccurate fuel level reading after refueling. In most ases this is caused by refueling with the ignition in the on or accessory position. The fuel gauge should eventually reinitialize on its own, but it can also be reinitialized by disconnecting the batteries. If the gauge dose not reinitialize, then the fuel level system should be diagnosed.
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Postmaster
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From: Central Texas
I always fuel with the ignition off. I also notice that when I first start in the morning the fuel gauge reads a little less than it did the night before. For example, if the center of the needle is in the center of the 1/2 way mark, in the morning, it will be a needle width below the lower part of the 1/2 way mark.
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From: 3rd Rock
Originally Posted by tn mac
according to the ford rep. in my area there is a 4 gallon reserve in the super duty, so if you have a 29 gallon tank you could get 32 gallons in , and I would guess that doesnt include the filler neck
wonder if that is why I have heard a few put 47 in an X
