Plastic Gas Cans Expanding & shrinking

KBW · Apr 22, 2003

I have a 5 gallon plastic Blitz gas can. It stays in the back of my open bed pick-up. In the heat it expands a lot and it sucks-in (shrinks) in cooler temps. I know there will be some expanding and shrinking, however, whats happening to mine seems to be too much. Any advice? KW

Mickhippy · Apr 22, 2003

I leave the air hole (you know the small hole) just loose a little. Just enough to let air in but not enough to let fuel splash out. I know some fuel evaporates but I think its better than a can splitting.

LawnGuy73 · Apr 22, 2003

Yup, that what that air hole is for.......

sheppard · Apr 22, 2003

Mine swell up to almost twice the size in Tallahassee! The only thing is to make sure rain water and dirt do not find their way in.

The real problem is when the cans are srunk small in the morning and I try to refill them with mix...that's tricky!

Cordially,
S.

BobR · Apr 22, 2003

Will cause the expansion and contractions previously mentioned also the larger containers will only amplify the situation. Couple of things to try - loosen the small vent cap, keep cans as full as possible, get metal safety cans.. I started with the plastic stuff and got tired of spraying gas on myself and customers lawns when opening an expanded container and have since gone with the metal safety cans, they are pricy but in my estimation are worth it. Spring tension on the lid (or valve) will allow excessive pressure to vent.
BobR

Gravely_Man · Apr 22, 2003

BobR, nailed it on the head. I know this is not always possible but keeping the containers a full as possible will really cut down the expanding and contracting. The vapor is what really expands and contracts.

Gravely_Man

NCSULandscaper · Apr 22, 2003

I just purchased a bunch of self-venting plastic gas cans. Havent filled them up yet but supposedly you can fill them up and they never leak but still vent out the fumes. Once i try them out ill re-post the results.

lawncare3 · Apr 22, 2003

I usually open up the vent squeeze it to normal size then re cap it. If not, I just leave the vent open always.

KBW · Apr 22, 2003

Thanks for all the info. KW

Evan528 · Apr 22, 2003

hhhmm....Ive been using plastic gas cans for years and have never once noticed this or had this problem.

gogetter · Apr 22, 2003

Evan you're kidding? What brand of can are you using?

I also use the Blitz brand and mine always swell up when it's hot. Lately when it's real hot I have just been leaving the tiny vent cap loose.

NSCU, what brand did you get with the self venting caps? I didn't know there was plastic can that did that.

Navig8r · Apr 23, 2003

The Blitz cans with the "pull out" type of spout suck! If you open one that's got some pressure by opening the spout cap first, the pressure will force the fuel up the spout (because it's down inside the fuel) and spray everywhere until the pressure's relieved.....

Best cans I ever used were made by GOTT..... the spout could be left up, or reversed and put inside to store.... also had a screw on vent, so I could crack it a bit to allow for expansion, without splashing gas everywhere, or foreign material getting in.....
Can't find these anywhere though

TLS · Apr 23, 2003

I use Metal Safety cans.

Always have, always will.

There needs to be some sort of venting, or someone's going to get hurt!

Fuel expands when it gets warmer. Your gas station pumps' meters are "temperature compensated" for this reason.

Good Luck, and BE SAFE!!!

M&E LAWNS · Apr 23, 2003

as previously stated, the blitz gas cans expand and contract with the weather, i have found that the rubbermaid, and the sears crapmans cans are thicker plastic and don't really expand.

mike
m&e lawn and landscape

Haley Lawn Care · Apr 23, 2003

I used the plastic cans for over 6 years. Always left the vent cap open and always spilled gas when I hit bumps. I just got two steel safety cans and have NO problems. Dont have to worry about spilling gas. Yot can open the spring loaded cap slowly so no gas spills out. I figure about 3 to 4 years they will pay for themselves in gas saved and the cost of plastic cans that i would have to buy. Two sets in 4 years on plastic cans. Anyway I think it is the law now to carry safety cans in NC. Wish I had got them long ago.

David

NCSULandscaper · Apr 23, 2003

Originally posted by gogetter
Evan you're kidding? What brand of can are you using?

I also use the Blitz brand and mine always swell up when it's hot. Lately when it's real hot I have just been leaving the tiny vent cap loose.

NSCU, what brand did you get with the self venting caps? I didn't know there was plastic can that did that.

Its a new style from Blitz. Havent tried them out yet but will in the next few days. Walmart had them on sale 2 for $9. 5 gal cans.

SWD · Apr 23, 2003

What is being described here is outage. It is a term used to measure the loss due to vapor compression or emission. Right off hand I do not remember the calculations, but there is one for determining how much of a certain type liquid should be placed into the receiving container. This is why most plastic receiving vessels have fill limit indicators. Allegedly, keeping a vessel filled to the limit indicator has no impact upon outage - it is just a way to determine how much is lost.
Regardless of the receiving vessel used, the vapor point of gasoline always results in outage.
The main reason gasoline cans are metal is for the grounding aspects to avoid static electricity buildup and the potential for you to turn into LCO flambay.

lawncare3 · Apr 23, 2003

Originally posted by Navig8r

Best cans I ever used were made by GOTT

I agree the gott cans were the best cans I EVER had.

I have found chilton are about the same.

I have 1 gott can left and it's only 2.5gal so, I don't ever use. I hate the crappy spout on the bliz cans. Every time I use it I have itchy eyes and gas gets in them

I just can't stand it anymore.

bobbygedd · Apr 23, 2003

when u figure out why they keep expanding, let me know. my wifes buttocks are doing the same thing.

crawdad · Apr 24, 2003

bobby,
you need to relieve the pressure, but stand back, in case a static charge has built up.
Crawdad

TaussigLawnCare · Apr 24, 2003

I have blits ones too to they acutually explode or something mine get big and small but I don't see it as a problem. I am planning on putting on of those tanks on the back of my truck eventually.

The Plant Poet · Apr 24, 2003

Gas cans were designed to handle expansion and contraction during temperature changes. Thats why there gas cans, and putting fuel in milk jugs is illegal. It's the octain that evaporates. Keep them sealed. They were made to handle it.

NCSULandscaper · Apr 24, 2003

My 2 cycle gas mixture can will expand and shrink but my regular gas can never does expand. Anyone else witness this?

bobbygedd · Apr 24, 2003

man, is crawdad hollar a real place, or u just makin it up? sounds like words from a country song

ADLAWNCUTTERS · Apr 24, 2003

Never have that problem i just leave that little vent cap open. only think i have to watch out for is that my cigar doesn't ignite it.

conepile · Apr 24, 2003

I have plastic cans as well, and I leave the vents open. To avoid having gasoline spritzing out on bumps, I put eight inch lengths of gasoline resistant tubing over the vent nipple (if I correctly recall, I think it is black fuel line material). No more fuel spots on my trailer floor.

Plastic Gas Cans Expanding & shrinking

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