What are the consequences of overfilling the fuel tank?
2 Answers
The consequences of overfilling the fuel tank are: 1. It may cause a fire; 2. It can block the fuel tank vent; 3. The volatilized fuel vapor can be carcinogenic when inhaled by humans. Fuel tanks are classified according to different conditions: 1. By fuel type: gasoline tanks and diesel tanks; 2. By structure: fuel tanks are divided into snap-type tanks, aluminum alloy tanks, CO2 welded tanks, top-bottom butt-joint tanks, and end-seam welded tanks. The main components of a fuel tank include the filler pipe, tank body, fuel tank cap, fuel gauge, and fuel pump. The functions of the fuel tank cap are: 1. To record the car model and precautions, as well as the fuel type for the car; 2. The fuel tank cap has a drainage outlet to facilitate water drainage from the car; 3. The fuel tank cap will indicate the standard tire pressure range.
I've been driving for over a decade and have truly seen troubles caused by overfilling the fuel tank. After the fuel nozzle automatically shuts off (known as 'clicking'), if you continue to force more gasoline in, the fuel can flow back into the charcoal canister through the pipes. This component is designed to absorb fuel vapors, but if soaked with liquid gasoline, it gets ruined—replacing a charcoal canister costs several hundred bucks. Last week, my neighbor's brand-new car had this exact issue, and now there's a strong gasoline smell whenever the AC is turned on. What's even more annoying is that overflowing fuel drips down the car body—gasoline is highly corrosive to paint, and over time, it will definitely leave yellow stains. Once, I kept filling until the nozzle clicked three times, and the next day I found the fuel gauge needle stuck—the fuel float had been deformed from being pushed too far. Mechanics at the repair shop say that with hot weather, gasoline expands when heated, so leaving some space in the tank is safer.
