Fix for poor fuel filling
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 45
From: Castleton VA
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Fix for poor fuel filling
Well after a month picking up my '04 baby, and on the third time I've filled the fuel tank, I got tired of the gas station filler tripping off at anymore than a trickle, and decided to investigate.
I removed the left rear inner fender liner and found the hose between the fuel filler and the left tank was too long, so that it was somwwhat crimped:
I shortened the hose, after laying it up against the filler.
BE CAREFUL TO NOT CUT OFF MUCH!!! It looks like you can take a lot off the hose in the last pic, but you shouldn't -- and if you take off too much, you're in a world of hurts -- pulling the left tank out to get to the other end of the hose to replace it! I did not cut off much:
The result was a much straighter routing:
I can't wait for the next fill up to see whether this helped!
I removed the left rear inner fender liner and found the hose between the fuel filler and the left tank was too long, so that it was somwwhat crimped:
I shortened the hose, after laying it up against the filler.
BE CAREFUL TO NOT CUT OFF MUCH!!! It looks like you can take a lot off the hose in the last pic, but you shouldn't -- and if you take off too much, you're in a world of hurts -- pulling the left tank out to get to the other end of the hose to replace it! I did not cut off much:
The result was a much straighter routing:
I can't wait for the next fill up to see whether this helped!
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Washington PA
Nice write up "mneblett". Very nice detail. I too had this problem and went to the dealer. They ordered the part. Then I researched what was involved and was learly to let this stealership disassemble my gas tanks. I removed the upper clamp and turned the filler hose a little, than tightened it back up and I have not had any problem since. The stealership called two months later to tell me the part came in and I just never went back to get it done. Again good job!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 45
From: Castleton VA
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Originally Posted by VetteGarage
Nice write up "mneblett".
The name's Mark. And thanks for the kind words.Any idea what's different with the new filler? I'm trying to imagine how it would fix the crimped hose problem -- maybe the bottom of the filler is simply shorter.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 45
From: Castleton VA
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Originally Posted by Alex D
Sooooooooo ... did it fix it ???
Originally Posted by Alex D
Also, How difficult is it to take the inner fenders off?? Any tips or hints from your experience?? Thx.!! 
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Washington PA
Sorry for the delay. I was watching the Pittsburgh Steelers WIN!!!
Go Steelers!!!
Yes that fix my problem, I could not leave the pump at the very first notch, I now can. Still cannot go two notches, but one was enough. They give the part number in the bulletin and GM Direct listed it for about $75. I seriously thought about buying it and installing it myself even though the car is under warranty.
It was not hard, just a little cramped working around the filler pipe.
Go Steelers!!!
Yes that fix my problem, I could not leave the pump at the very first notch, I now can. Still cannot go two notches, but one was enough. They give the part number in the bulletin and GM Direct listed it for about $75. I seriously thought about buying it and installing it myself even though the car is under warranty.
It was not hard, just a little cramped working around the filler pipe.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Washington PA
Mark
Where are you from?
Here is the link:
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/q....php?qstId=542
There is a lot of good info at this site also.
Where are you from?
Here is the link:
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/q....php?qstId=542
There is a lot of good info at this site also.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 231
Likes: 1
From: Ft Lauderdale FL
Originally Posted by mneblett
Cool -- any link to the bulletin?
04-06-04-031 1997-2004 Corvette
Vehicle is difficult to fuel or filling station pump shuts off before tank is full Issued:04/22/04
Condition: You may find that when attempting to fill your fuel tank with gas, the pump will shut down before the tank is actually full.
Cause: The condition may be caused by back pressure within the fuel filler hose. This back pressure trips the fuel nozzle prior to filling the tank, or results in a hard to fill condition.
Correction: Replace the fuel tank filler hose with P/N 10353139. This new hose has been redesigned to provide smoother flow conditions within the section.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 45
From: Castleton VA
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Originally Posted by VetteGarage
Mark
Where are you from?
Here is the link:
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/q....php?qstId=542
There is a lot of good info at this site also.
Where are you from?
Here is the link:
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/q....php?qstId=542
There is a lot of good info at this site also.
It sounds like the hose is the fix, not a new filler neck. Makes me wonder if the "new hose design" is a shorter hose.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 45
From: Castleton VA
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Follow-up
I finally got my '04 back from having the rear hatch glass replaced and, having got down to 1/2 a tank, refilled it for the first time since I straightened the fill hose.
I put the pump nozzle all the way into the filler, held my breath, and squeezed the handle full on.
It stayed on
In fact, I didn't have to touch it again until it shut off when it was full. Funny how such a small thing can be so satisfying. Anyway, I promised a report, so there ya go!
I put the pump nozzle all the way into the filler, held my breath, and squeezed the handle full on.
It stayed on
In fact, I didn't have to touch it again until it shut off when it was full. Funny how such a small thing can be so satisfying. Anyway, I promised a report, so there ya go!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 1
From: Greensboro NC
Originally Posted by mneblett
Well, I only did it last night, so I need to empty the full tank first
The inner fender was easy to pull -- wheel off, then remove the 7-8 7mm screws about the periphery (including the one under the rocker panel forward of the wheel well). Start to peel the rear section of the liner in/down/out, so that the front section can be freed up a bit and lifted/manuevered up out of its "pocket." When reinstalling, the only trouble I had was getting one screw started -- the one at the top center of the liner -- but even that wasn't hard; I used a ice-pick to line up the holes then started the screw.
The inner fender was easy to pull -- wheel off, then remove the 7-8 7mm screws about the periphery (including the one under the rocker panel forward of the wheel well). Start to peel the rear section of the liner in/down/out, so that the front section can be freed up a bit and lifted/manuevered up out of its "pocket." When reinstalling, the only trouble I had was getting one screw started -- the one at the top center of the liner -- but even that wasn't hard; I used a ice-pick to line up the holes then started the screw.
