Is getting gas when a tanker truck is refilling the station's underground tanks no longer a concern? Usually, getting Costco gas and a combination of filters and fuel volume going through tanks may be enough to filter contaminants?
Fueling when a tanker truck is refilling station
- Thread starter dylanm
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The fuel you receive "should" be well filtered regardless if some sediment is stirred up or not. I have a little more concern about moisture in the fuel, but sediment is possible in older, low volume stations. Regardless, I try to avoid stations while a tanker is there. If I do have to stop, I use the pump farthest away from the filling port. I also avoid brand new stations, I wait a month or so to use them to let any construction contamination flush out first. All in all, fueling is pretty low risk.
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I would not worry about it at Costco where the tanks get refilled multiple times a day and the equipment is constantly maintained. The places you need to worry about are the low volume ones where the gas sits a long time and may have water and crud in the tanks.
Had this discussion with a coworker many years ago - If there's a tanker there, I go somewhere else. My coworker argued that I have no way of knowing if the truck left 5 minutes ago and the contaminants I'm worried about are still stirred-up. I said that he was right but at the same time, if the truck *is* there, I know that it's a possible issue so I move along.
Given that many of the stations can't seem to keep the pump's printer stocked so I don't have to go in to get a receipt, I wonder how attentive they are to changing the filters on the pumps...
Given that many of the stations can't seem to keep the pump's printer stocked so I don't have to go in to get a receipt, I wonder how attentive they are to changing the filters on the pumps...
I never let it stop me from a fill up.
With or without bypass? what happens when the pressure goes up, does the retention drop?
Never a second thought, pumps have filters, I have filters. The worst that could happen is water being mixed in with fuel which doesn't happen here at all. Maybe in the country but not in an area this populated. What I am more worried about is a top tier station buying substandard fuel to save a buck.
I have purchased gas plenty of times with the fuel truck there. I also have replace 2 in tank fuel pumps at 175k and 150k miles. I inspected the tanks since I had easy access and both were spotless absolutely perfect. I also never use any additive in my fuel and NEVER had an issue. IMHO it is more important to buy fuel from a gas station that does not have old tanks as over a long time corrosion could affect the integrity of the underground tanks. While remote this can happen.
This was a bigger issue when underground tanks were steel. Now that most are fiberglass, rust is no longer an issue. Gasoline tanks at the terminals DO have steel bottoms, but sometimes they are epoxy coated to prevent rust. The storage tank filling processes can also be modified to minimize contamination from rusty bottoms if they aren't coated.
Finally, there are some dispenser with filters on them and hopefully they get changed periodically. I personally never saw one being changed
So, in the end, the whole system of delivery, from pipelines or barges, to storage tanks, to dispensers are all designed to minimize contamination.
I still do my best NOT to fill up when product is being delivered.
Finally, there are some dispenser with filters on them and hopefully they get changed periodically. I personally never saw one being changed
So, in the end, the whole system of delivery, from pipelines or barges, to storage tanks, to dispensers are all designed to minimize contamination.
I still do my best NOT to fill up when product is being delivered.
Back in the day during the "Michigan Underground Storage Tank Assurance Fund" Hey Day I used to work for a company that removed and installed tanks. Every single tank that we pulled had some amount of sediment in it. After pulling and rendering non explosive we would cut it open and clean it out before sending it to the scrap yard. I would see at least 1 55 gallon barrel of dirt to 12 or 15 barrels for a 20,000 gallon tank. I pulled 100's of tanks. After seeing that I will never fill up when I see a tanker at the station.
Only reason not to is because the truck and related hoses are in the way,
I often read about not filling at a low volume station. Where are those cause every station here in the desert is packed all day long.
I often read about not filling at a low volume station. Where are those cause every station here in the desert is packed all day long.
I think most of the dirt that gets into the tank is dependent on where the fill ports are located in the parking lot and if the rain water runs over them or around them. Also if the caps actually have a gasket on them. Many fall off the cap and are never replaced.
Agreed but they do not change as often as they should. Sometimes at BJs the fuel just trickles out.
The filters here are huge! We had a fuel island at the construction place I worked at. The filter had to be 16 inches long and 6 inches across.
That is Big! I mean HUGE!
Hopefully all pumps are using the bigger filters in the newer pumps.
The time I saw the tech replace fuel filter was about 10 years ago.
BrendanC
$100 site donor 2024
i don’t worry about it and fill up as usual.
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