Accuracy, Jerry Can vs Fuel pump

[kiotiken]

I filled up a 25 liter (6.6 gallon) jerry can yesterday. The can still had a splash of fuel in it, so when I saw that the pump had dispensed 28.83 liters (7.62 gallons) of fuel, I was a little PO'd. I talked to the attendant who looked at the tank and and gave me the managers phone number. The manager is saying that plastic tanks expand and can hold more fuel than their capacity.

How much does a plastic tank expand over time? There was a little fuel in the can and I only filled up to the 25 liter line, I could have put a little more in it. With the fuel that was already there, I'd say the pump was off 4 liters or about 16%, and that just doesn't sit well with me.

 

[newbury]

Call whatever you have for weights and measures.

 

[thatguy]

Could it be that you filled it past the 'fill to here line'??

I know my cans have a mark to indicate the max fuel level.. I bet you could get at least another gallon in it to totally full

Brian

 

[kiotiken]

Could it be that you filled it past the 'fill to here line'??

I know my cans have a mark to indicate the max fuel level.. I bet you could get at least another gallon in it to totally full

Brian

Nope, as I say, I stopped at the 25 liter mark, I could have put more (but not that much more) in it.

 

[tractchores]

Not sure, but i have noticed my plastic cans deform a bit. New they didn't hold the rated fuel amount, but after sitting full of fuel they now hold the right amount. I can see the sides on mine bulgevslightly as its filled. Here there is usually a rates and measures sticker on the pump with a number to call and lastbinspection date.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Each state has a motor fuels department that checks pump calibration, except for Indian owned stations - they (Indian or native Americans) are sovereign nations so they can screw their citizens or anyone else that is stupid enough to buy fuel from them.

 

[aczlan]

I would empty your fuel can, fill it with water (in measured amounts) and if it differs, go back and fill it up. If it is still incorrect, there should be a inspection sticker on the pump with a number to call and if it is like here in the states, they will send someone right out to check the machine.
Might be worth noting the number and calling the number beforehand to see what they would do in such a case.

Aaron Z

 

[kiotiken]

I would empty your fuel can, fill it with water (in measured amounts) and if it differs, go back and fill it up. If it is still incorrect, there should be a inspection sticker on the pump with a number to call and if it is like here in the states, they will send someone right out to check the machine.
Might be worth noting the number and calling the number beforehand to see what they would do in such a case.

Aaron Z

I think this is what I'll be doing. Unfortunately, it's gas and I only have one can for unmixed gas, I guess I'll have to dump it in the car.

 

[oldnslo]

Fill your can until exactly 10 liters shows on the pump. Does the price per liter times 10 equal the dollar amount shown on the pump? There have been reports of pumps being off here in the states also and this is a quick check to see if the dollar amount matches. It will not tell you if the volume purchased is correct though.

 

[Foxtrot08]

Every sales pump should be stamped with a tamper proof tag on the inside of the pump. On the outside, there should be a number to call, certified if blah blah blah.

This is for public, retail pumps. Private pumps are another story and not used for retail sales.

Pumps / meters CAN become off through time - that much though, under so little time? That's odd, unless it has an air leak and it pumped a lot of air.


What you can do right now with out dumping it?

Weigh it.

Diesel weighs roughly 7.10-7.20lbs per gallon - or 3.22-3.26kg per gallon.

3.785 litters per gallon, so at 25 liters - it should weigh roughly 21.4kg, or 47.18lbs~ish.


If it's off, drastically, then something is wrong. Either the plastic expanded and you actually have a gallon more of fuel (would be able to tell by weight) or, there was air in the line.

Gasoline, for reference weighs roughly 6.07lbs or 2.75kg - if you're weighing gasoline. A little bit here or there for the different blends / additives / mixtures and ethanol.