Will not fill second Gas Tank | FerrariChat

Will not fill second Gas Tank

Discussion in '206/246' started by Hondo, Sep 28, 2025 at 9:35 AM.

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  1. Hondo

    Hondo Rookie

    Jan 16, 2022
    31
    Full Name:
    Edward Greene
    Need a little help. I have owned my 1974 246 GTS for about a year. It had an engine out rebuild several years back with new replacement fuel lines. My passenger side fuel tank will not fill with fuel. I think it has to be the fuel balancing pipe between the two tanks or a clogged air vent line? The vent line coming off the top of the gas tank is routed back to the fuel filler line. It is a CAVIS clear line as seen in my photo below. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

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  2. Hondo

    Hondo Rookie

    Jan 16, 2022
    31
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    Edward Greene
    I forgot to add this is a left Hand drive Euro Dino 246 GTS
     
  3. Motob

    Motob Formula 3
    Professional Ferrari Technician

    Nov 11, 2003
    2,390
    Frederick, Maryland
    Full Name:
    Brian Brown
    The routing of your fuel return hose from the carbs and breather hose from the filler neck to the right side fuel tank are correct. You can look at the factory parts manual to see what the fuel tanks and filler/breather hose routing is supposed to look like.
    Your thoughts of a blocked fuel balance pipe or breather hose causing the R. tank not to fill are pretty much the only possible causes, except for the tank being welded shut. I would try disconnecting the breather hose at the top of the tank and blow through it to check for a blockage. If that's ok, then it is time to check the balance pipe/hoses for blockage.
     
  4. TTR

    TTR F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Mar 29, 2007
    6,062
    Riverside, CA
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    Timo
    While I don't have much experience on Dinos, I've encountered similar problem with two Daytonas and on both the culprit was the balance hose having been routed so that it became pinched shut by the LH trunk lid hinge when lid was closed.
    Both still had original, dark green"cavis" hoses, likely installed by the factory (or Scaglietti ?) as both had suffered the symptoms for decades and hoses were almost petrified.
    Once re-fueled full, the gauge would show "full", but even after couple of short drives or just sitting long periods, some or half the fuel would slowly seep into the RH tank and show "1/2" or so at the gauge.
     
  5. Hondo

    Hondo Rookie

    Jan 16, 2022
    31
    Full Name:
    Edward Greene
    Thanks! I will check for blocked tank vent first and respond with results.
     
  6. Hondo

    Hondo Rookie

    Jan 16, 2022
    31
    Full Name:
    Edward Greene
    I was able to check the vent lines going into the additional tank that will not refill. Both lines are clear with no obstructions along with the tank vent itself is also clear. I checked the main vent line all the way to the gas filler tube to make sure it was also clear. looks like my next stop is to order parts and check the balancing tube. Thanks for all your comments. Again, I will let you know the results.
     
  7. Nuvolari

    Nuvolari F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Sep 3, 2002
    6,670
    Toronto / SoCal
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    Rob C.
    The lower balance tube is about as unsophisticated as it comes so there is nothing short of a blockage that would keep it from doing its job. That said I would be very suspect of any blockage as the tube is of a very large relative diameter and blocking it would be near impossible unless something huge came loose in one of the tanks. Be sure to disconnect your battery when doing your investigative work as the slightest spark could be a disaster.
     
  8. TTR

    TTR F1 Veteran
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    Mar 29, 2007
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    Timo
    To prevent confusion, could you clarify what do do mean with “balancing tube” and other “vent lines”, etc ?
    Perhaps a copy of breakdown images from parts manual, indicating each by their item (or part) numbers in said images ?
     
  9. Hondo

    Hondo Rookie

    Jan 16, 2022
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    Edward Greene
    Great news! After blowing out the vent line I found that both tanks are now working as it should and the fuel gauge is reading correctly. No need to mess with the bottom balance tube. Thanks for all responses.
     
  10. TTR

    TTR F1 Veteran
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    Mar 29, 2007
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    Riverside, CA
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    Timo
    Glad you got it resolved, but to assist others, including future readers having similar problems & prevent confusion, clarification of the offending item would still be great.

    By “the vent line” do you mean the circled item # 30 in this diagram (image copyright Ferrari/M.C.P.), for which I used a term “balance hose”, i.e. green “cavis” hose which allows air to escape/vent from the RH tank during fueling and maintain equal amount fuel in both LH & RH tanks at all times or something else ?

    Also, if it is/was the culprit, I would recommend inspecting what was the cause of it not working properly.

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  11. Hondo

    Hondo Rookie

    Jan 16, 2022
    31
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    Edward Greene
    Yes #30 is what I referred to as the vent line. As the cause I can only speculate that when filling the car with gas some gas got into the tank vent line inhibiting air flow. Thanks!
     
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  12. TTR

    TTR F1 Veteran
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    Mar 29, 2007
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    Timo
    Thanks for clarifying & confirming my suspicion.
    Your speculation/suspicion makes sense, especially if the balance hose/vent line, i.e. green “cavis” hose, is somehow “drooping” down somewhere between the filler neck & the RH tank and allows fuel to enter & stay in it during re-fueling and/or driving, essentially creating an air lock for the RH tank air venting.
    Again, I would recommend checking &, if needed, correcting its routing path to prevent this becoming a reoccurring problem.
     

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