Newbie with a gas question

[blackhawkfan]

Hi, I just got my 2013 Super 8 last Saturday and have been practicing with it on the side streets.  At 39 miles on the odometer I saw the gas gauge said I had only a quarter tank (it was filled up when I bought it).  So I went to gas up, but when I took off the cap I could see gas in there.  I added a little (.178 gallons to be exact, which cost .71 cents) and it looked like the level of the gas was at what I would consider the neck.  I was afraid to put in any more because I didn't want it to spill over into my storage area.

Can someone give me some tips on what to look for and do when I gas up again?  Are you able to see the gas in the tank when your gas gauge says you're close to empty?  I read on a thread about another kind of Kymco that their tank had an obstruction bar, but I didn't see that on mine. 

Please help me out with this--thanks!

[DMblues01]

My super 8 doesn't have an "obstruction bar". I think it's only the models with larger fuel tank that may have those.
Also, the fuel gauge takes a minute or so to read "right". If it still says it's not full after it's running for a block or so, then there may be an issue with the float on the in-tank sensor.
And, yes, I can still see fuel in the tank when it is low. The tank is very shallow.
BUT, just so you are aware, the fuel gauge will never be 100% accurate. So don't take what it tells you as gospel!

[wkreps]

My 2013 Super8 150 will take about 1 to 1.1 gallons of fuel on fill up when the needle is just hits the red area which is usually around 65 miles. My guess is that the red area represents the old "you should start looking for a gas station" area. See my thread You ever ran out of gas? for an experience I had. My guess is that like me, you just have to keep track and learn how far you can go. Like on my car, I know that I can run about 2/3 of the miles it will run on a full tank but use just half a tank (so says the needle).

[blackhawkfan]

Thank you for your response, DMblues.  So when you gas up, do you keep doing it so that the gasoline does not touch the pipe in which you insert the gas nozzle, or if it does touch the pipe, how far up do you allow it to go before you stop?  Also, I had gassed up after I rode it two or three miles, so I will have the dealer look at the float that you mentioned--is this something I can possibly see and resolve myself or does the dealer have to free it?

[blackhawkfan]

I read it now, Wkrebs.  I don't ever want to be in this position, which is why I gassed up as soon as the needle went into the red zone.  I'm very nervous about it spilling over, which would cause the gas to go into my storage area where I definitely do not want it to go!

[wkreps]

DM, enlighten me on what an obstruction bar is . . . . .

hawk, One of the first times I filled mine up, I filled it right to the top and the next fillup the gas must have expanded or sloshed onto the top of the met box. Didn't like that so I fill to about 1/4" from the top of the flat area of the tank. To do this, I just slightly insert the gas hose into the tank when filling. I don't get in a hurry cause at most I'll only have to put in 1.4 gallon. Not long to pump that, even going slow.

[blackhawkfan]

Thanks for the info, wkreps.  If I understand this correctly, when you gas up the liquid doesn't even touch the pipe?   How do you tell?  Do you remove the nozzle and look  or is thrre another way?

[DMblues01]

Thanks for the info, wkreps.  If I understand this correctly, when you gas up the liquid doesn't even touch the pipe?   How do you tell?  Do you remove the nozzle and look  or is thrre another way?

That's what I do.  I let the gauge get to about a 1/4, and I pump about 3/4 of a gallon in. Then I CAREFULLY pull the fuel nozzle out enough to look in the tank, and add a little at a time till the level is just short of the fill neck.

DM, enlighten me on what an obstruction bar is . . . . .

It's a physical stop inside the fill neck of some fuel tanks (usually a small metal rod or a mesh screen). Most modern automobiles have them, but you can't really see them. I have no idea what the REAL purpose is, but I've been told a couple of theories.
1. To stop the fuel nozzle at the level so it shuts off at the recommended full point.
2. To prevent foreign objects from being dropped into the tank.
3. To prevent someone from inserting a hose to siphon out the gas.

I'm sure someone out there knows the real purpose of them, but they're probably smarter than me.

[zombie]

I read a few years ago the purpose of that bar but can't find the article.
It prevents you from inserting the pump nozzle into the tank, and forcing fuel vapor, and spray from venting up into your gawking face.

The article was linked to lawsuits from people getting showered w/ fuel while looking into the tank, and filling up.  It makes more sense than blocking your cell phone from falling in. but who knows...

[Stig / Major Tom]

I keep a small, powerful LED flashlight under the seat. Gas hose in one hand, flashlight in the other. Squirt some , look some, etc.
There are several posts on scooter forums about overfilling a scooter tank. Gas flops about in there, runs down the vent hose which is just under the cap, in the 'neck' of the tank. Supposedly, the gas will flow down there and foul the one-way vent valve located in the hose, half way between the tank and the charcoal canister...or back into a parked scoot's carb via the siphoning phenomena, or even clear into the head to 'lock' the engine, or some such. This is all pretty scary stuff. But then so is the popularity of the Duck Dynesty folks.
As Vivo mentions every so often when we start to hyperventilate - these scoots are sold to &  made for rugged use in 3rd world countries.
So, keep the tuna sandwich under your seat dry by not getting crazy with the gas nozzle - but gas it to a point close-but-below the neck....and you can do this easily with the use of your $2 flashlight.
'Course, I have one of those bars in my LIKE's tank to help me..... and new batteries in my light.
(To calm things down - I bought a new 2+gal gas can and and a big blue funnel & do my fill-ups in the solitude of my garage.)
Stig

[Vivo]

My Super 8 has that bar.... and I fill up to the brim, or at least the gasoline boy does... There are no self-service stations in our country... 

[blackhawkfan]

Thank you all for the great info.  Now I know what to look for the next time I go to gas up.