SPECTRA FUEL TANK

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kitchman
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SPECTRA FUEL TANK

Post by kitchman »

HI ALL,
My 86 SR5 had a Spectra T01A replacement fuel tank installed by the previous owner and have some questions. First the Spectra is said to have a capacity of 14 U.S. gallons while the factory tank is stated to be 13.2 gal..Is this information correct.
Also when fueling, at after 7-8 gallon the fuel flow has to be radically reduced to avoid back flowing, is this a common issue or should I be looking at a possible venting problem?
Thanks in advance
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dlb
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Re: SPECTRA FUEL TANK

Post by dlb »

no idea about the capacities of different tanks. as long as it holds enough fuel for 400-500 km of driving, i'm happy with it.

what is back-flowing? does the fuel come spraying out the filler tube or does the gas pump just shut off a bunch of times?

if you tend to get gas in the same place, try different stations or even just different pumps at the same station. sometimes i have problems with certain pumps, like they pump at too high a pressure or flow rate. not often but sometimes.
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marlinh
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Re: SPECTRA FUEL TANK

Post by marlinh »

I have found that aftermarket tanks are harder to fill. The factory ones work well. It must be the design. I wouldn't worry about it.

Tanks are unavailable aftermarket here now. Does anyone have a source in the States?
kitchman
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Re: SPECTRA FUEL TANK

Post by kitchman »

Thanks guys,
What I was trying to convey with back flowing was the pump nozzle clicking and fuel coming out from the fill neck. Also it happens all the time regardless of station and state of gas stations. On a just about a empty tank after putting in 8-9 gallons any gas pump will click/thump and you are still able to add 6-5 gallons, however very slowly. Sorry but I find this to be unacceptable and a PITA especially in the cold weather. As stated before, my opinion is that this has something to do with poor venting of the tank.
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irowiki
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Re: SPECTRA FUEL TANK

Post by irowiki »

It's possible whoever replaced the fuel tank did not hook up the vent properly.
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vcp
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Re: SPECTRA FUEL TANK

Post by vcp »

I have the same issue with a Spectra fuel tank we put in last fall. Hard to fill at many pumps, and twice I've had passive overflow on a hot day just with the car sitting there, not running, and not completely topped up. (Filled up then drove 60km on the highway.)

The tank was also NOT an exact fit as guaranteed by Spectra. (Got it from Lordco, marlinh. Only one they had in Canada.) Looked very different from the one we took out. Mechanic needed to muck about to get it in, and also adapt the top bracket for the filler tube. And my old cap didn't fit so he put on a different cap.

But I don't think that cap is vented so now I need to find a new cap. But Spectra can't tell me any specs to help me find the right fit for the filler tube. Hmmm.

Now wondering if Lordco gave me T02 by mistake. (Will check my receipt when I get back from this trip.)
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Re: SPECTRA FUEL TANK

Post by xirdneh »

i have a tank i removed from an 83 4x4 tercel wagon last week that looks very good
anyone out there need one
cover shipping and its free (might not be shippable due to fumes)
i'm near bremerton, wa
Love those Tercell 4x4 wagons but they sure suffer from road noise.
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marlinh
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Re: SPECTRA FUEL TANK

Post by marlinh »

If you are having gas come out of the filler cap, you may have a plugged charcoal canister or hose to it.
swanterky
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Re: SPECTRA FUEL TANK

Post by swanterky »

marlinh wrote: Fri May 15, 2015 9:29 pm If you are having gas come out of the filler cap, you may have a plugged charcoal canister or hose to it.
I can't see how the canister can affect filling the tank--it's just a tiny hose that sucks off fumes.
swanterky
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Re: SPECTRA FUEL TANK

Post by swanterky »

I commented on the filling problem, not the overflowing in the heat (passive overflow). I could see that being affected by a lack of vacuum from the canister. The tank maintains a small amount of vacuum even after the engine is shut off, which pulls the vapors into the canister. I guess it could pull fuel as well, if the level were high enough.
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Re: SPECTRA FUEL TANK

Post by The Professor »

swanterky wrote: Fri Jan 03, 2020 7:45 am
marlinh wrote: Fri May 15, 2015 9:29 pm If you are having gas come out of the filler cap, you may have a plugged charcoal canister or hose to it.
I can't see how the canister can affect filling the tank--it's just a tiny hose that sucks off fumes.
It acts as a vent tube for the fuel tank. If the canister is plugged, so is that vent tube...
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Abletobecain
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Re: SPECTRA FUEL TANK

Post by Abletobecain »

I'm hoping this issue got resolved within the last 5 years, lol.
1977 BMW R100S 1WD ("Brunhilda"/Summer Fun)
1983 DLX Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Charlie"/Daily Driver)
1987 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Sprocket"/Off-road-Camping)
1985 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Lucky"/Project)
1983 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Cadaver"/Parts Car)
1985 Ford F250 6.9IDI ("Franklin"/Hauler)
1987 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Ravensburger"/in a million pieces)
2006 BMW 530XI Wagon ("Inga"/Roadtripper)
1969 Mercury Montego MX Convertible ("Big Ed"/My Dad's Old Car)
1983 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Al"/for sale soon)
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marlinh
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Re: SPECTRA FUEL TANK

Post by marlinh »

Hi Cain, What issue are you having?
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Abletobecain
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Re: SPECTRA FUEL TANK

Post by Abletobecain »

None that I know of...I was just remarking on the dates between posts.
1977 BMW R100S 1WD ("Brunhilda"/Summer Fun)
1983 DLX Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Charlie"/Daily Driver)
1987 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Sprocket"/Off-road-Camping)
1985 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Lucky"/Project)
1983 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Cadaver"/Parts Car)
1985 Ford F250 6.9IDI ("Franklin"/Hauler)
1987 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Ravensburger"/in a million pieces)
2006 BMW 530XI Wagon ("Inga"/Roadtripper)
1969 Mercury Montego MX Convertible ("Big Ed"/My Dad's Old Car)
1983 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Al"/for sale soon)
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