Fuel tank problems 2004 century freightliner

Discussion in 'Freightliner Forum' started by medbill38, Feb 22, 2013.

  1. medbill38

    medbill38 Bobtail Member

    11
    0
    Aug 8, 2006
    New Jersey
    0
    OK SO LETS START WITH THEY PUT SUGAR IN THE TANKS BUT IT NEVER GOT TO THE MOTOR TANKS WERE CLEANED OUT :biggrin_25519:NOW THE RIGHT TANK IS HARDLY THROWING DIESAL INTO THE LEFT TANK....ALL THE FUEL LINES HAVE BEEN BLOWN OUT AND ALL THE VALVES HAVE BEEN CHANGED??????? 4 MECHANICS HAVE LOOKED AT IT AND CAN'T FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM.........HELPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!:biggrin_25510:
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Jimmbuds

    Jimmbuds Medium Load Member

    398
    179
    Apr 20, 2009
    Daytona Beach, FL
    0
    I have this problem occasionally, when I go to fill up one tank is more empty than the other. It will be interesting to see what folks say. So out of curiousity who put sugar in your tank? What about getting locking fuel caps?

    Mine doesnt have an equalizer hose (03 Century) it has that valve on top of the tranny that all the lines hook into. I am sure that is where the problem is. I would guess. Does yours have the tank shut offs coming out under the driver's door?
     
  4. Hardlyevr

    Hardlyevr Road Train Member

    3,270
    2,532
    Jul 30, 2009
    Mapleton Depot,PA
    0
    Check/replace proportioning valve that controls the return to the tanks, and check the vents on each tank.
     
    Jimmbuds Thanks this.
  5. GrapeApe

    GrapeApe Road Train Member

    2,215
    2,202
    Jan 7, 2013
    0
    What do you mean by "the right tank is hardly throwing diesel into the left tank"? Is one tank draining faster than the other? What valves were changed? You should only have 1 valve on the return side, unless you have a left/right/both valve.

    The majority of unequal draw problems on a dual draw system are a restriction somewhere, the reed valves in the return Tee is next. An intermittent problem is almost always a small piece of trash in the tank that occasionally blocks the pickup (foil seals from fuel additives tops the list). How did you clean the tanks? I have seen the return line inside the tank crack. This will cause a problem when the fuel in the tanks expose the crack, so if the tube is cracked 1/2 way down, it will work fine until you run lower than 1/2 tank, then you'll get unequal return. I have also seen the hoses deteriorate internally, blowing them out doesn't help, air pushes past rubber flappers pretty easy. A restriction only has to be enough for fuel to be drawn easier from 1 side.
     
  6. medbill38

    medbill38 Bobtail Member

    11
    0
    Aug 8, 2006
    New Jersey
    0
    we have eliminated the shut off valves on driver side door and ran all the lines direct also eliminating the valves on top of tranny and still doesn't work!!!
     
  7. medbill38

    medbill38 Bobtail Member

    11
    0
    Aug 8, 2006
    New Jersey
    0
    vents have been checked but havent checked proportioning valve yet !!!
     
  8. medbill38

    medbill38 Bobtail Member

    11
    0
    Aug 8, 2006
    New Jersey
    0
    thanks for all this info its helpful, maybe it was the additives, the mechanic will be looking inside the tanks tomorrow!!!
     
  9. GrapeApe

    GrapeApe Road Train Member

    2,215
    2,202
    Jan 7, 2013
    0
    On top of the tranny there should be just a regular tee on the suction side. On the return side there is an aluminum tee valve that you need to have equal draw. Inside it is two reed valves, which are important. They direct fuel return flow to the tank with the lowest level to equal them out.
     
  10. medbill38

    medbill38 Bobtail Member

    11
    0
    Aug 8, 2006
    New Jersey
    0
    will also have that checked out thank you!!!
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.