Too much gas in tank - now what?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 351
From: MO
Too much gas in tank - now what?
I took my Heritage to get gas the other day. I've been to this gas station and this particular pump numerous times with no problems, but this time the pump didn't click off as it usually does. I caught it just in time to stop it as the gas filled to the top of the tank, literally. So now not only is the tank beyond full, but it's full of cool gas on a 95° day. I stood there for a few minutes wondering what to do and didn't come up with a good idea, so I screwed the cap on and took off. A quarter mile down the highway gas came pouring out of the tank, all down the side of tank and onto the air cleaner and motor.
So what would you have done? Any way to easily solve this problem with no tools at hand?
So what would you have done? Any way to easily solve this problem with no tools at hand?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,173
Likes: 177
From: East Coast
I took my Heritage to get gas the other day. I've been to this gas station and this particular pump numerous times with no problems, but this time the pump didn't click off as it usually does. I caught it just in time to stop it as the gas filled to the top of the tank, literally. So now not only is the tank beyond full, but it's full of cool gas on a 95° day. I stood there for a few minutes wondering what to do and didn't come up with a good idea, so I screwed the cap on and took off. A quarter mile down the highway gas came pouring out of the tank, all down the side of tank and onto the air cleaner and motor.
So what would you have done? Any way to easily solve this problem with no tools at hand?
So what would you have done? Any way to easily solve this problem with no tools at hand?
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville, NC
Did the gas station have those paper towel dispensers nearby for cleaning windshields or whatever? I think once I stopped using the F word in all the various ways I'm fluent I probably would have tried sopping some of it up with that.
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,168
Likes: 8
From: Beaverton, Oregon
Had the same thing once. I rode it til the level dropped. Then you gotta clean things up, the motor gets a gold ugly mess on it, doesn't look good on chome, but it does come right off. I've never filled it that full again. BTW I NEVER let it fill automatically, I'm right there watching the level the whole time. I would suggest that.
Last edited by Fnortner; Jul 24, 2012 at 10:02 PM. Reason: added what may be valuable information
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
I'm trying to get my head around filling a tank to over full? Over full is when it runs onto the ground while you keep filling. At the very tip top if full and there will still be a pocket of air in the tank.
Put the cap on and ride. A quart of gas will be gone in about 10 miles.
You made a mountain out of a mole hill.
Put the cap on and ride. A quart of gas will be gone in about 10 miles.
You made a mountain out of a mole hill.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,885
Likes: 0
From: Chicago area
I'm trying to get my head around filling a tank to over full? Over full is when it runs onto the ground while you keep filling. At the very tip top if full and there will still be a pocket of air in the tank.
Put the cap on and ride. A quart of gas will be gone in about 10 miles.
You made a mountain out of a mole hill.
Put the cap on and ride. A quart of gas will be gone in about 10 miles.
You made a mountain out of a mole hill.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 911
Likes: 10
From: Wisconsin
Dont use the auto shut off. Just hold the handle and stop it your self. I have a buddy who just drops it in and locks the lever and waits for the auto shut off and then shoots it in full bore trying to top it off.
Then he bitches about the gas station while he pulls out a towel from his saddle bag and cleans up his mess!!
Then he bitches about the gas station while he pulls out a towel from his saddle bag and cleans up his mess!!