Topic: How to quickly fuel without spilling?

At Stafford I thought we had the worlds best cheapo fueling rig. We adapted a big funnel to hook onto the car so it can't tip over. We then removed the spouts from the fuel cans and filled up the funnel. It was hot and daytime, so you could easily see the fuel vapor leaving the tank. When the vapors changed and got misty, you knew to slow down with filling the funnel. We didn't spill fuel and the pit stop was fast, smooth, and relatively stress-free.

At Nelson Ledges, it was cold and often dark. We couldn't see the vapors at all and frequently overfilled the car. It isn't fun being surprised with several liters of fuel in the funnel and the filler overflowing. We spilled a lot and cleaned up a lot. I'm sure it wasn't good for the pavement. We were stressed about it and felt like blundering fools.

We tried just pouring through a regular fuel can's spout, but event with a true vented can it takes a loooong time to dump just one can (and our tank holds 3.6 cans).

We thought about modifying the filler to remove the flap and constriction that prevents you from putting a leaded pump hose in, but isn't that flap there to prevent fuel leaks in the case of a roll-over?

We aren't interested in high-dollar solutions, like the fuel cell / NASCAR-style dump can solution we saw.

Ideas? What is your team doing / going to do?

Near-Orbital Space Monkeys
#528 BMW 528e 121hp Black "Saturn 5" Rocket car with orange foam flames. Sold.
#71 Yellow Fox Mustang. For sale.

2 (edited by gsmith2424 2009-11-19 07:38 AM)

Re: How to quickly fuel without spilling?

On our car we used the 5 gallon racing type jugs with a modifed end that has a hose on it that fits into the filler neck and a modification of the vent also on the can. We did cut out the filler flap but it did pass tech so nothing to worry about there really.  On our car (Miata) we were able to dump a can in about 10-15 seconds easily with the third can taking a little long to make sure we didn't spill excessive fuel. So for everything to get the cans ready for the race took us about an extra $10-15 total and we only did this on two of them as the third can the speed really didn't matter to us.

Re: How to quickly fuel without spilling?

We cut the restrictor out too. Makes for quicker fill ups. Use race type jugs, not red 5 gallon lawnmower cans.

4 (edited by Troy 2009-11-19 08:26 AM)

Re: How to quickly fuel without spilling?

EvergreenDan, I hate funnels for the reason you described.  You can't see how full the tank is while you are filling and if the tanks is full with a full funnel, you've got spillage.

Thanks to new CARB regulations, it is very hard to find older style vented gas cans.  The self-sealing, vent through the filler, CARB compliant cans just flat suck.

A fairly easy and common solution is to use "utility jugs."  That's what they call them now due to CARB regulations.  The hose kits they come with work okay.  I found a larger hose fitting and run larger diameter hose.  I also run a longer hose so I can easily get it in the filler before tipping the can up.

The other issue with these cans or most cans are the vents themselves.  It is easy to leak out the vent.  So if you attach a hose to the vent and run it don the outside of your can to the bottom, it will allow the can to vent without spilling.

While all this will give you a good can to quickly dump from without the trouble of a funnel.  On a stock tank, it's hard to tell how full the tank is while you are filling so you may still overflow.

I don't think the flapper in the filler prevents spills in a rollover.  Sure, it is an obstruction but I don't think it's a tight seal.  I think it helps keep gas from sloshing into the back of the gas cap.  It has been removed from my friend's Spec Miata.  They will get in the way during filling if you don't have something to hold them open.  I think that's why there is a piece of PVC on the end of the fillers for utility jugs.

Gas Cans Click Here

Troy

#35 LRE
1973 Datsun 240Z

5 (edited by Nanker Phelge 2009-11-19 09:31 AM)

Re: How to quickly fuel without spilling?

I haven't actually tried this, but it worked pretty well in my dream after the Lamest day... A big funnel and a big "race fuel" plastic can fills the fastest.

If the funnel has a tapered end (most do because of the molding process); get a steel ball or plugged brass pipe that will only go part way through the funnels' final "tube".

When the fuel starts backing-up into the funnel; drop the ball in. For easier retreival and to dump the fuel now contained in the funnel; weld / glue / braze a rod onto the ball that's taller than the funnel.       O--------  pull the ball out with the funnel directed into the fuel jug.

Yeah baby!
#47 Impreza:  2009 Lamest Day; 3rd / 2010 Capital Offense; 4th (with a blown head gasket) / 2010 New England something or another; 60 somethingth, f'n wheel bearing / 2010 Lemons Fall South 77th out a 101 - all 10 feet shot off! Then there was Miami...

Re: How to quickly fuel without spilling?

We installed a 55 gallon drum in the trunk. Just fill once per day before the race.

( I hope it passes tech )


KT

TH 2009- 40th ~ SP 2010- 13th Class Bad win!! TH 2010- 17th ~TH 2010- 16th  SP 2011- 20th ~ RF 2011- 13th Least Horrible Yank Tank ~ TH 2011- 79th
SP 2011- 105th ~ SP 2012- 119th ~ SP 2013- 139th ~ BW 2013- 17th
Follow Filthy on Facebook: Flailing Lizard Motorsports

Re: How to quickly fuel without spilling?

trekkor wrote:

We installed a 55 gallon drum in the trunk. Just fill once per day before the race.

( I hope it passes tech )


KT

You'll be fine...:)

Re: How to quickly fuel without spilling?

trekkor wrote:

We installed a 55 gallon drum in the trunk. Just fill once per day before the race.

( I hope it passes tech )


KT

Its sound like something the P.R.D.A. would do.

Re: How to quickly fuel without spilling?

trekkor wrote:

We installed a 55 gallon drum in the trunk. Just fill once per day before the race.

( I hope it passes tech )


KT

hoping they adopt the new f1 'no refueling during the race' rule?

Re: How to quickly fuel without spilling?

trekkor wrote:

We installed a 55 gallon drum in the trunk. Just fill once per day before the race.

( I hope it passes tech )


KT

As long as it meets...

"3.18: Fuel Bulkhead: The fuel-tank area must be totally separated from the driving compartment. For example, if the fuel tank is in the trunk area, any openings between the trunk and the cockpit must be permanently sealed with bolted, riveted, or welded metal panels. OE fuel tanks that are separate from, and located completely below, the trunk floor or rear-cabin floor are acceptable. If the fuel tank can't be completely separated from the cockpit by metal panels, a metal-encased, FIA- certified fuel cell with all related compliant fittings must be used."

It better be FIA certified or start preparing your excuses/begging for forgiveness to Jay now.  But it won't really matter since da Judges are giving you 777,777 laps anyways.

11 (edited by bongle 2009-11-19 03:55 PM)

Re: How to quickly fuel without spilling?

At Nelson Ledges #39 had a little hose with a valve coming off the vent on the fuel tank.  In the civic, that vent was in the middle of where the rear seats would have been.

When they went to refuel, they brought a tiny can, put the vent hose into it, then merrily filled away.  Soon as they felt gas land in their catch can, they stopped filling, emptied the excess from the hose and closed the valve.  No spillage, and they could fill at top speed without worrying about overflow coming up the filler neck.  The guys at tech did take a look at it, and it passed.

Note: I never took a close look at it, there may be more to it than that, this is just 2nd-hand from one of the team members.

Car to Pit telemetry (OBD2, GPS, and analog inputs) with little more than a phone, router, and laptop.  It's not MacGuyver, it's WifiLapper (forum | facebook)

Re: How to quickly fuel without spilling?

trekkor wrote:

We installed a 55 gallon drum in the trunk. Just fill once per day before the race.

Homeland Security is now snooping around in your garage, enjoying your Wurth Girl calendar.

Near-Orbital Space Monkeys
#528 BMW 528e 121hp Black "Saturn 5" Rocket car with orange foam flames. Sold.
#71 Yellow Fox Mustang. For sale.

Re: How to quickly fuel without spilling?

trekkor wrote:

We installed a 55 gallon drum in the trunk. Just fill once per day before the race.

( I hope it passes tech )


KT

Don't take it personally but would love to see this contraptionon or your rear suspension components fail due to the extra 350+ lbs of unnecessary weight on your entry.

We are the people your parents warned you about.

Re: How to quickly fuel without spilling?

Tajracing45 wrote:
trekkor wrote:

We installed a 55 gallon drum in the trunk. Just fill once per day before the race.

( I hope it passes tech )


KT

Don't take it personally but would love to see this contraptionon or your rear suspension components fail due to the extra 350+ lbs of unnecessary weight on your entry.

this is why P71s rock, they're designed to carry 1200lbs of locked spare cop gear in the back all day. 350lbs is no sweat!

Re: How to quickly fuel without spilling?

Get a 35 gallon fuel cell. The fill hole on this thing is big enough to put a small child through...

http://ronman.org/pics/Lemons/lamest_day/img_6361_std.jpg

Official photographer/Team Police Brutality|Speedycop & the Gang
Lackey-mechanic-whatever/NSF Racing
Sycophant/Judge Phil, Jay Lamm, Kim Harmon
Galaxie Driver/not Parnelli Jones

Re: How to quickly fuel without spilling?

Serj wrote:
Tajracing45 wrote:
trekkor wrote:

We installed a 55 gallon drum in the trunk. Just fill once per day before the race.

( I hope it passes tech )


KT

Don't take it personally but would love to see this contraptionon or your rear suspension components fail due to the extra 350+ lbs of unnecessary weight on your entry.

this is why P71s rock, they're designed to carry 1200lbs of locked spare cop gear in the back all day. 350lbs is no sweat!

Trekkor is in an Escort though, not a Crown Vic.

We are the people your parents warned you about.

17 (edited by Spank 2019-08-08 07:15 AM)

Re: How to quickly fuel without spilling?

[someone needs to fix the damned login / resurrecting thread issue!]