It is TOO Big!!

LeeMedic · 10-26-2011, 02:36 AM

OK, now that I have your attention I have an issue with my Ford Excursion Diesel. The refuel port is too small for normal truck stops. Those pumps are huge, and inside my refuel port is is restricted so that the normal )large) pump nozzles will not fit.

Is there a way around this? I pull a 35" trailer and man trying to get into some of these refuel stations that have the small nozzle is a trick.

**JRTJH** · 10-26-2011, 05:22 AM

The large nozzles are "high flow" nozzles designed to deliver very large quantities of diesel in a short time under higher than normal pressure. They are used to fill the 100+ gallon tanks on 18 wheelers. They fit the 3" tank openings on those large step tanks but are too large for the standard opening on "private" diesel fill ports. My 99 superduty had the same problem. I never did find a way around it, and, if I remember correctly, there is usually one diesel pump on the end nearest the station at many truck stops that has both sizes. It's been so long since I pumped diesel, I cant remember for sure where that pump is normally located, but I do remember that it's the island that also has the gasoline pump.

I suppose there would be some "adapter" like a nipple or such that you could put over then end of the nozzle to reduce it in size so it would fit, but if it ever came off, or leaked you'd have a mess to clean up.

I do remember how frustrating it was for me, looking to get my 32 gallon tank filled, pulling a 34 foot trailer and trying to jockey that rig around a bunch of minivans full of kids with beach towels and ice cream cones.... but I never did find a solution.

LeeMedic · 10-26-2011, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRTJH

The large nozzles are "high flow" nozzles designed to deliver very large quantities of diesel in a short time under higher than normal pressure. They are used to fill the 100+ gallon tanks on 18 wheelers. They fit the 3" tank openings on those large step tanks but are too large for the standard opening on "private" diesel fill ports. My 99 superduty had the same problem. I never did find a way around it, and, if I remember correctly, there is usually one diesel pump on the end nearest the station at many truck stops that has both sizes. It's been so long since I pumped diesel, I cant remember for sure where that pump is normally located, but I do remember that it's the island that also has the gasoline pump.

I suppose there would be some "adapter" like a nipple or such that you could put over then end of the nozzle to reduce it in size so it would fit, but if it ever came off, or leaked you'd have a mess to clean up.

I do remember how frustrating it was for me, looking to get my 32 gallon tank filled, pulling a 34 foot trailer and trying to jockey that rig around a bunch of minivans full of kids with beach towels and ice cream cones.... but I never did find a solution.

I have found a number of times that there was not a small nozzel in the semi-truck fueling areas. I have done some research on the internet today and found a number of truck owners have just removed that little restrictor from the fuel port. It is only plastic. One person states just remove the 3 screws, then disconnect from the hose in the fender area. At that point you just cut it out.

I think I will take a look at that. It is such an inconvenience.

**hankpage** · 10-26-2011, 08:43 AM

I have never had that problem

Is it possible this is just a Ford thing?? It is sometimes hard to control the flow slow enough but the nozzles fit.
.... I just realized that I may regret saying that after looking at the title Lee gave this thread.

wozzukes · 10-26-2011, 08:55 AM

We don't have that problem either with our Chevy 2500HD Duramax and almost always use the truck lanes at truck stops which makes fueling up so much easier!

DH says that's because Chevy's are built to handle ALL conditions, haha!

Festus2 · 10-26-2011, 09:05 AM

Mmmmm, our Duramax accepts the larger nozzle but it is a tighter fix. Actually, I don't mind the regular nozzle ----- it does come out slower and the pumps are not as easy to pull into -- but I am not pumping 100's of gallons, not in a rush, and the $$$$ readouts go slower so it feels like I am getting more fuel for the money. Now, what kind of logic is that, you might ask.

SLIMSHADIE · 10-26-2011, 10:35 AM

The small nozzles pump 8 gallons per minute or roughly $32/minute. The large nozzles pump 20-24 gallons per minute or roughly $80-$96/minute, when the filters are clean. I never heard of a nipple or something for the large nozzles. It would probably be a mess if it broke or flew off or something. if you could take the restrictor off that would be a better idea. Must be a Ford and small car thing.

I can use both in my Dodge.

SAABDOCTOR · 10-26-2011, 11:19 AM

LOOKED AT A FRIENDS FORD AND I SEE WHAT YOUR SAYING MY DODGE WILL TAKE BOTH. THE RESRICTOR IS PLASTIC. RESIST THE URGE TO PUNCH IT OUT MY LUCK I WOULD BREAK THE NECK. REMOVE IT AND USE A HOLE SAW TO REMOVE THE RESTRICTO GOOD LUCK

SteveC7010 · 10-26-2011, 11:21 AM

My Dodge seems to have a larger port, too. I've never had an issue filling up in any lane at any truck stop or gas station.

TAScarbee · 10-26-2011, 11:26 AM

My Chevy Duramax will allow you to use the bigger nozzle, quite a few of the truck stops I have used will have a smaller nozzled pump on one end of the fuel bay. Good Luck!!

msp2jxr · 10-26-2011, 01:49 PM

I had an 2002 Excursion and it would take both. I do have a TDI VW that only takes a small nozzle. Many times I have gone into the truck stop and they have a extension you can put on the nozzle that down sizes to the smaller nozzle size so I can still fill the VW.

geo · 10-26-2011, 02:33 PM

I don't have a problem with a 2011 F350. I've "dieseled up" several times in the Big Boy's lanes at Love's and Truck America. The F350's filler neck takes the high flow diesel nozzle right fine, and filling the auxiliary in the truck bed goes fast!

Ron

**hankpage** · 10-26-2011, 03:14 PM

I'd like to hear from some of the folks with older F250 and 350 trucks. It may have something to do with the Excursion being considered a "Passenger" vehicle. You know .... one of those wonderful government thingys.

RCrawler · 10-26-2011, 04:59 PM

The problem you might have with using the large nozzle is not having a large enough filler neck hose and vent. It can cause the pump to shut off and/or and fuel to burp out and down the side of your vehicle.

Jason

hankaye · 10-26-2011, 08:22 PM

Howdy All;

Wa-a-a-a-a-a-ay back in the earily 1980's ( ancient history lesson), when un-leaded gas first was being gotten used to. The Gov'ment had a regulation about any vehicle that was under a certian gross weight HAD to be fitted with the smaller nozzle opening (unleaded), and if the gross weight was over the stated weight (wish I could remember what the weight was, thinkin' 15,000#'s), then you got a large hole that you could fit either nozzel into.
I'm sure that there are a few others that remember that there used to be 2 sizes of nozzles 'way back then'. As all of that model are run on the same assembly line it could have been put on by mistake (yours being a diesel NOT gas). Fourth wife used to work the light truck line (Ford), in Norfolk, Va. They used to do things like that just to break-up the boring 10 hr. shifts. If it was you might be able to work-out a fix. If not then ask the Service Mgr. what might be done.

hankaye

LeeMedic · 10-27-2011, 05:21 AM

What I know is when traveling interstates and towing a 35' trailer, it is hard to find a fuel stop where it will accomidate my filler neck size, and have room to manuever that big trailer around. I have even had to unhook the trailer to get fuel.

Ron · 10-27-2011, 06:10 AM

I have a 2001 F350 and a 2001 F450 7.3 and both have the large opening for the big nozzel. Sounds like to me they installed the wrong inlet at the factory. Even any older pickup I have owned with a diesel would except the large nozzel. Happy Campin.............Ron

SteveC7010 · 10-27-2011, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeMedic

What I know is when traveling interstates and towing a 35' trailer, it is hard to find a fuel stop where it will accomidate my filler neck size, and have room to manuever that big trailer around. I have even had to unhook the trailer to get fuel.

I wonder if you might find a larger filler neck that will bolt right in in place of the existing one at a salvage auto parts place. Several other Ford owners here are reporting no issues so I am guessing it might be worth a look around.

cumminsdad08 · 10-27-2011, 05:10 PM

my work duramax, gives me problems with the vent when i use a high flow. and wow $80/min!!! i can only afford a 30 second fill up then. i don't know if the big truck stops have small fillers, i tend to stay away from them. nothing winds me up more then makeing two trips to pay for the fuel. one to give em the card and one to get it back and "pay". i have yet to see one that will just let you pump, or have a card reader on the pump. i can't figure out why new stops wont let you pre pay. (oh well. sorry about that.)

any who, i usually fill up at a sheets just up from my storage and other then waiting for the gas cars to get out of the ONLY diesel pump (whole nother rant), i don't really have any problems. i think i can only remember one time when i got "screwed with the trailer" and it was in some small hicktown upstate, only diesel for several miles. i know mine is only a litle over 30 feet, but it is just as much a pain.

we have the large fillers at our work pumps, but they pump slow, and we have a older plow f350 maybe late 80's and accepts the large filler.

LeeMedic · 10-30-2011, 01:00 PM

Here is a pic of my fuel port on my 2000 Ford Excursion. You can see where it has be restricted/downsized. It looks like the restrictor is made of plastic.

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