69 litres of LPG in a 60 litre tank???

Post by **Miss Marple** » 02 Nov 2008, 19:40

Hi all,

Does anyone know if it is possible to put 69+ litres of LPG in a 60 litre tank? Stupid question I know, but I filled up on Friday, normally costing around £32, but stopped filling when I had spent £40!!! The pump would have kept going, and it didn't feel anywhere near like it was slowing down. Now, I have my receipt which states 69 litres were bought, I have my certificate which states I only have a 60 litre tank, but now I need to get my facts straight before I make an idiot of myself back at the petrol station. It was a cold morning when I filled up, but I have filled up in much colder weather and never got anywhere near £40!

Post by **kevtherev** » 02 Nov 2008, 20:44

oooo trading standards would like to hear this

Post by **Nicky** » 02 Nov 2008, 20:59

We had a very similar experience at Honiton, at the BP station coming back from a meet.

We have an 80 litre tank, will take 65-68 lts to fill. We ended putting in 77 litres and, like you, the pump was still merrily busy pumping as fast as a petrol pump.

We didn't say anything at the time, but was a BP station, so I contacted BP, who said they would look into it. They, apparently, say they did give the owner of the station our name and addy , but have had no contact from them.

I guess they've had enough time to get back to us.

Post by **steve8090** » 02 Nov 2008, 21:13

No, that is not possible, are you absolutley sure the pump zeroed before starting delivery? if so you need to contact your local weights and measures or trading standards as the garage does not have their pump metered correctly, as always give the garage a chance to make amends in the first instance, you have a 60ltr tank and it should fill to 80%, that's 48ltrs maximum.

Post by **Miss Marple** » 03 Nov 2008, 10:17

Okay, many thanks for the responses. I am now armed and dangerous and will return to the petrol station. I will let you know the outcome.

Post by **Miss Marple** » 03 Nov 2008, 12:59

Well, I went back to the garage and was suitably fobbed off. The LPG man is going to have a look at the pump and give me a call. Apparently the garage is just an agent for the LPG and have no control or responsibility for the pump, so I will wait for the call. What concerned me was the manager mentioned that this has happened before at a different franchise, and he tried to explain that my tank has a safety 'flap' which stops the tank filling to its full capacity. If mine were faulty the tank would keep filling until it may explode! He explained away the 69 litres on compression/temperature, and said that the LPG man will probably say my tank is faulty. Again, is this a possibility? I have to have the facts ready for if I get the phone call. My knowledge of the mechnics of the tank and nature of LPG is very limited and I fear I may be blinded by facts from the LPG man. Steve, the pump was definitely reset to zero before I started.

Post by **steve8090** » 03 Nov 2008, 14:57

What absolute nonsense, they really will try anything to fob you off, just tell them you are going to trading standards and they'll soon change their tune, have you filled it up anywhere else? even if the tank did fill to its capacity of 60ltrs it would definitiely not explode, there is a lot of protection against that including the integrity of the tank, yours has filled beyond its physical capacity so that in itself should tell you there is something wrong with the pump.

Post by **Ian Hulley** » 03 Nov 2008, 15:31

This is why I stopped using our local one (Cower's Lane) ... went on filling to '56 litres' but strangely ran out at 150 miles instead of 180

Twas only 47ppl after the others had gone up ... the attendant just shrugged and said 'That's unusual' ... I voted with my feet.

Ian.

Post by **steve8090** » 03 Nov 2008, 15:34

I've just been on the phone to Stako the manufacturer of the tank and the UK concessionaire for these and both are more than willing to back up my statements and would also be willing to give statements for any legal action you may want to take on this matter, get it into your head that it is a physical impossibility to fill a 60ltr tank with 67ltrs of liquid gas.

Post by **Miss Marple** » 03 Nov 2008, 16:05

I haven't filled up anywhere since as I want to see how many miles I get from this tank. Is there any truth in the 'safety flap' theory? I understand now that the tank will definitely not explode, but is there any chance the tank could fill to the full 60 litre capacity if faulty? I know it still doesn't explain the 69 litres. Your advice is much appreciated, its nice to have some knowledgable brains to pick.

Post by **hakuna matata** » 03 Nov 2008, 19:35

which petrol statoin did u fill up at???????

neil.

Post by **lambrettalee** » 03 Nov 2008, 19:57

RE the 80% capacity thing , mine has filled to its max from dead empty twice... the installer said it was due to the tank not shutting off when it should have, is your tank bigger than you think?? just a thought,

Post by **Flibbertigibbet** » 03 Nov 2008, 21:49

my Aircooled with 80 litre tank shut off at 66 litres I knew it was full and i wasn't allowed to put anymore in however my watercooled with a 60 litre tank shuts off on the pump at about 45 litres so either way I am told it has enought gas in it .like the others say go to your local weights and measures people

Post by **Cruz** » 03 Nov 2008, 22:35

steve8090 wrote:I've just been on the phone to Stako the manufacturer of the tank and the UK concessionaire for these and both are more than willing to back up my statements and would also be willing to give statements for any legal action you may want to take on this matter, get it into your head that it is a physical impossibility to fill a 60ltr tank with 67ltrs of liquid gas.

I wish pubs round here used pint glasses that are like these phantom tanks

Post by **Miss Marple** » 03 Nov 2008, 23:47

steve8090 wrote:I've just been on the phone to Stako the manufacturer of the tank and the UK concessionaire for these and both are more than willing to back up my statements and would also be willing to give statements for any legal action you may want to take on this matter, get it into your head that it is a physical impossibility to fill a 60ltr tank with 67ltrs of liquid gas.

Thanks for your efforts Steve, at least I know I have some great back up should I need it and I'm also armed with the facts. I will see what the LPG man has to say and if it is not in my favour I will be contacting trading standards or similar and take the matter further. I will let you know how I get on. Thanks everyone for your responses!