do you pump your own gas?

[Guest Randy Berger]

Tbirdman brought up an interesting point. Do you pump your own gas and do you have to prepay? Here in Pa. we can pump our own but now have to prepay because of all the drive-offs. If you want the attendant to pump(in some stations only), you will pay more per gallon. All the Texaco attendants are deceased. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

[Clipper47]

Here in Northern Ontario there are no pepay stations Most are self serve and several of the brand name (Shell, Exxon) have both full and self serve pumps with the full service costing a few cents more per litre. Gas is $1.16 @ litre or about $4.00US a US gallon. Pretty spendy for a Packard that gets about 10mpg in the city. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Guest JT]

I think my first real job at 16 was at the "filling station".

When a customer pulled up to the pumps you asked if they wanted you to "fill it up". With any purchase you had to wash the windshield, check the oil and ask if they wanted the tires checked. Heck, I'd feel guilty getting all that service for free in this day and time <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Guest BigKev]

Here in Calif everything in is Pre-Pay. Either you pay at the pump with your credit card, or haul your butt inside to pay. 90% of the gas stations out here are of the Mini-Mart variety. At some of the Chevron and Texaco stations you maybe lucky to find a Full Service island, but they charge something like a $.30 premium per gal of gas.

[Guest Kevin AZ]

Here in Tucson, AZ most everything has gone pre-paid because of drive-offs and credit card usage. BTW, a bit of a funny story. In 2001 my now deceased pop in law are driving Arizona to Washington State to do some Packard business. I've never been to that part of the country until then, so we decide to drive. We have a grand time until we pull into so major brand fuel station somewhere in Oregon. I get out of the truck and attempt to proceed to do what I've done my whole life up to that point. Ya know, simply pump gas. The attendant runs to me all the while saying, "STOP". I think obviously that he is speaking to someone beside myself over my shoulder. WRONG! It's me! I guess in Oregon gasoline must be dispensed by attendants, NOT customers.

[tbirdman]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I guess in Oregon gasoline must be dispensed by attendants, NOT customers. </div></div>

Oregon and new Jersey are the two states that don't allow consumers to pump their own gas. I've have lived in both of them. The nice thing is you don't have to debate your self whether it's worth the extra cost per gallon to let them pump the gas when it's nasty weather out. You have no choice unlike the other 48 states.

[Guest batjac]

Tbirdman,

I live in Portland. I filled up today, and I told the attendant that *I* was going to fill up my '52. Yeah, Oregon law is that attendants must pump, but if I go to a station with my motorcycle or a classic car I always pump. Most stations around here don't want to take the liability of scratching a bike or a valuable car. So, if you want to pump it yourself, just tell them. If they have a problem, just give them some kind of reasonable excuse and they'll let you do it. I told the attendant that I had to do it because of the overflow tube in the line....

[Loyd Smith]

Here in Florida you pretty much don't get fuel unless you either pre-pay or pay at the pump with a credit card. The last full-service station that I knew about closed about two years ago in my area. They do have attendants at the stations in the service plazas on the Florida Turnpike but you have to request the service. It doesn't cost extra but, for the price of fuel on the turnpike, it doesn't need to. The filler tube on my car will spit fuel back at you if you don't shut off the flow at just the right time.

[Ron Green]

We have all prepays in this area of PA.

Having done trips to Florida and Canada this year I can't recall a gas station that wasn't a prepay, at least on the major routes. Unfortunately I can't calculate the exact amount of gas I needed and I required a full tank since I was pulling a truck and trailer with a car inside so paying cash required two trips for each fill up. One to overpay and one for a refund. What a pain especially at 5 to 8 MPG that required many stops.

[R W Burgess]

Ron, Give them your credit card, but tell them not to "swipe it" until you say so. After filling, retrieve your card and pay by "cash".

While you're at it, test the attendent with a expired card to see if he is "paying attention"! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

BTW, while we're all complaining about this, we keep getting fatter and fatter. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Since I brought this up, Gloria, Mike, and I took a short trip Tuesday to Mom and Dad's in the '32 Ford coupe, it's channeled. We had to sit in the coupe sideon, something like the way sardines are laid out in their respective "tins". Mike just smiled, realizing that his days of inheriting the "coupe" get closer with each big bowl of ice cream "I" eat. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[R W Burgess]

Forgot to mention, that in New Jersey the "attendent only" fueling does not apply to diesel. Evidently truck stop employees are too lazy for that job day and night. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[tbirdman]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Tbirdman,

I live in Portland. I filled up today, and I told the attendant that *I* was going to fill up my '52. Yeah, Oregon law is that attendants must pump, but if I go to a station with my motorcycle or a classic car I always pump. Most stations around here don't want to take the liability of scratching a bike or a valuable car. So, if you want to pump it yourself, just tell them. If they have a problem, just give them some kind of reasonable excuse and they'll let you do it. I told the attendant that I had to do it because of the overflow tube in the line.... </div></div>

Yes I have never had an attendant refuse me the honor <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> One did ask me if I had a custom paint job. This was before I asked him for the nozzle. He said his boss said if cars had a custom paint job, that their owners could pump their gas...for reasons of liability as you mentioned above.

[Guest Albert]

I wonder what they would say with a credit car I have made out in the name " A Packard" when i'am driving A Packard. It was kinda funny when I used the card at Kanters, they asked if i was a relation..

[Ron Green]

Quote; "Ron, Give them your credit card, but tell them not to "swipe it" until you say so. After filling, retrieve your card and pay by "cash"."

Wayne, my luck he or she would be writing the numbers down while I'm pumping my gas so they could use or sell it later.

I once had a telephone card stolen and had it stopped within 25 minutes however when the bill came next month there was $1,200 worth of charges. The bill wouldn't even fit in the mailbox but since I called the card in right away I didn't have to pay any of it.

[R W Burgess]

Ron, use a low limit card just for this purpose. Most cards guarantee no liability on your part for so many hours? days?, you tell me. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[55PackardGuy]

Is there any way to "pre-pay" at the pump with a credit card? I've never thought that was possible--if it's pre-pay, you have to go inside first, right?

Around here in Minnesota, they have LOTS of surveillance cameras and, of course, they get the license numbers on tape. Drive-offs are vigorously prosecuted. You can almost always pay afterward--inside or outside--almost all stations are strictly self-serve, and sometimes the pumps on the islands farthest from the building are pre-pay. Some stations leave the credit card pumps on all night unattended. You pays your money and drives away. Sometimes you even pump gas in the dark!

On the subject of full-service, I think it's a great opportunity to provide summer labor for teens, and any-weather labor for Community Service Convicts. Why not? It's a community service! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Also on the topic of full service, when my dad's station was on U.S. Highway 71 in the '40s and '50s, he was the first filling station on the north end of town. Often, he was the only employee, doing repairs AND pumping gas AND washing every single windshield in bug-infested, salt-infested Minnesota. This was business as usual!

TRUE STORY: One day a car pulls up to the pumps and the driver honks the horn (not necessary because of the bell cord) and dad drops his work and goes out in the hot sun and approaches the driver's door. Dad says "Fill er up?" or whatever. Fella says: "Oh, I don't need any gas. Can you tell me how to get to..." and goes on to ask for directions! So dad starts peering down pointedly into the car window towards the driver's knees. Driver says, "What you looking at?" Dad says, "I just wondered if you had any legs in there" and walks away.

He never needed to make up funny stories about running a service station. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

BTW, gas pumps in those days DID NOT have automatic shutoffs, so you pumped the gas first and THEN washed the windshield and, if asked, checked the tires, oil, water, battery... if you weren't too busy, you did it without being asked.

[Ron Green]

Wayne, never gave that a thought. I get flustered trying to use a debit card at most stations and have since gave up however I let the wife handle it sometimes as you know the oil in the truck needs checked so she pumps and pays for the gas with a debit. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Will give the low amount card a try.

[R W Burgess]

Guy, most pumps on the East Coast that accept credit cards will require you to swipe card first, then pump what you want, up to a limit. I had to use two cards one day with the "big truck", as the pump kept cutting off after $50.00 pumping sessions. I spend something over $200.00 that day with two different cards and all of those receipts <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />(The wife says you best not come home without them! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />)

Wayne

[Guest BigKev]

When you swipe your credit card at the pump, it calls the bank to get a pre-approval for a abitrary amount (like $50) and to validate that the card is valid. This usually takes less than 5 seconds. Then you start pumping your gas. When you are done, then it actually reports the cash amount you pumped back to the bank and finalizes the transaction.

There is the same as when hotel swipes your card when you check in. Same process.

I use my card 99% of the time. As I dont like having to go inside, stand in-line, pay, go back outside, pump, then go back inside, stand in-line again, get my change, and then finally back to the car.

I would rather pull up to the pump, swipe my card, and start pumping in less than 10 seconds. When I am done I get a receipt from the pump and I am on my way. No fuss no muss. No dealing with numb-skull cashiers/attendants. Also almost every ATM card works also like a Visa card, so to me it's the same as cash.

[Tom M]

Here in Illinois I think most stations are prepay if using cash. For me I pay with the Discover card. The full service stations are hard to come by around here now. I miss those days at working for my step father service station. We would push each other out of the way to wash windows of the lovely ladies that would come in <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Twitch]

Unless you live in kindly old Hooterville you pay 1st. Been doing it that way is California, Arizona Nevada for decades.

[Clipper47]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Unless you live in kindly old Hooterville you pay 1st. Been doing it that way is California, Arizona Nevada for decades. </div></div>

Then I guess I live in Hooterville. Come to think of it I often leave the house doors unlocked and the keys in the ignition of my cars overnight. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[R W Burgess]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> <span style="font-weight: bold">I often leave the house doors unlocked and the keys in the ignition of my cars overnight.</span> </div></div>

Me too, Dave, but my brother-in-law sheriff tells me I'd better change my ways. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[Clipper47]

Sad to say I think the days are numbered for me doing this also. Goodbye "Hooterville". <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

[Twitch]

And when are you going to be out at a car show leaving your home unpopulated again?

[Clipper47]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">And when are you going to be out at a car show leaving your home unpopulated again?

</div></div>

Twitch, If anyone came into my house uninvited my pet 400 lb. black bear would ensure that they knew they were not welcome. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[55PackardGuy]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">When you swipe your credit card at the pump, it calls the bank to get a pre-approval for a abitrary amount (like $50) and to validate that the card is valid.</div></div> I guess given this description, I have been "pre-paying" for gas with my credit card, the pump just doesn't know how much I'll eventually "pre-pay" for! In my innocence, I didn't know that it has already set a limit (I think they'll have to up the limit, as 50 bucks won't buy much gas any more) <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

[Guest Randy Berger]

I filled the 400 with premium a couple of weeks ago - $56.00. The drive to Warren, Ohio is about 105 miles. At 15 mpg that's 7 gallon up and back on Friday and Saturday. But it's worth it - the Warren show is always good.

By the way, I had my gas tank sealed and put it back on twice - I wanted to make sure I did it right(lol). The first time I didn't have the O-ring seated properly in the groove and after siphoning the 18+ gallon back into the tank, I had a leak. I had to siphon the gas back out, take down the tank, seat the O-ring properly. I filled it up with water to make sure it didn't leak. Took me about 15 minutes to make sure all the water was out when I reinstalled it. Then I siphoned all the gas back in the tank.

[Guest Albert]

Randy, that is one PITA trying to drop a gas tank that is full, i dont know how many times i have had to replace fuel pumps, and 9 time out of ten people think they are low on gas so the fill up the tank, now it gets towed in and i have to drop the tank, and some have sphon guards in them, real pita. I had one of the packard tanks i could not get the flare fitting out of the gas tank, i ended up fill the tank full of water, and the using the oxy/act torch to heat the fitting to get it to come loose..

[55PackardGuy]

Ah, but you can get yourself an old Dodge or Plymouth and have a handy-dandy DRAIN PLUG in the tank. What a nice feature! They really expected those cars to be in service for 60 years or so, it seems.

(P15 and D24, 1946-1948 Plymouth and Dodge, had this feature for sure)

Randy, doing it twice just assures you that you really know how to do it right next time. It's your internal Master mechanic teaching you a lesson in Zen car maintenance. I know this to be true. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

[Clipper47]

My 47 Super Clipper has a drain plug on the tank also. I wonder when they stopped putting them on the tanks?

[Guest Randy Berger]

Dave, All Packards have drain plugs - some are just very hard to remove. As a side note, I am getting a lot of crud out of the tank and installed an inline filter to catch it before it ruins my fuel pump. I don't think I should be getting that. Going to call them today and inquire if that is normal.

[Guest imported_Speedster]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I am getting a lot of crud out of the tank and installed an inline filter to catch it before it ruins my fuel pump. I don't think I should be getting that. </div></div>

Do you know what product they used to Seal it?

The 2 part Epoxy types are the best.

http://www.caswellplating.com/aids/epoxygas.htm

[mrpushbutton]

I'm a big fan of the "Renu" process that radiator shops (in big cities) now offer. It coats the tank with this black goo that looks like it was put on like cake frosting. For old cars I tell them to coat the outside on the top only, as opposed to the inside and outside, like they do for beater car tanks (the inside top of the tank is where all of the crud comes from, a product of moisture in the tank condensing on the top) where no one can see it, then I paint the bottom and sides black. It's a "do it and forget about it" deal, and the black goo doesn't care about changes in gas formulation. About 22 years ago I had problems keeping my 400 running, and the level in the ceramic filter bowl seemed low at idle. I pulled the fuel pump, got a rebuild kit, and took the pump apart. The lower chamber of the pump housing looked like a coffee maker grounds basket, 100% full of small brown chunks. There is a brass screen to keep these big'ns from getting up into the creamic filter (it gets the tiny micro-chunks). Get yourself a new flex line from Minnesota Packards, made from modern hose stock. These cars are all getting old now, I would recommend you all look into this, in the interest of reliability

[Guest Randy Berger]

The "Renu" process is what I bought, and at $250.00 is not cheap. I put the inline filter where the flex line normally goes, just ahead of the fuel pump. I don't think I should be getting all that crap. If they sealed it, inside and out, I shouldn't be getting anything.

[mrpushbutton]

Randy, No, you shouldn't be getting crud still. We did over a dozen cars in this process when I worked for my last employer, never had a rust/crud problem after that. You might be looking at a bring-back, sad to say.

[Guest Randy Berger]

I had it back to the shop today and his only recommendation was to run it and see if the new in-line filter got clogged. If it does, I'm taking the tank off and returning it for examination and repair. The B&P where I buy my gas has just had new tanks installed and they are not metal but fibreglass I think, so that rules them out. We'll see what the in-line filter does. Could I have old junk in the sediment bowl of the fuel pump which is being stirred up for some reason??

[mrpushbutton]

read my post above--you might want to look in the bottom of that fuel pump.

[55PackardGuy]

Randy,

Even though it sounds like you replaced the fuel line, please consider putting the in-line filter as close to the tank as possible. Reason being, you'll otherwise be pumping possibly dirty fuel through the whole line and crudding <span style="font-style: italic">that</span> up. Get a nice big clear plastic filter, and mount it near the frame rail where you can peek at it and easily change it out.

Many a fuel tank has been cleaned "one filter at a time." I'm doing it on my boat right now! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

But if you paid to get the tank sealed and are still collecting crud in that initial filter by the tank, back it goes. And, with the filter there, you can PROVE that the crud is in the tank.

[Guest Randy Berger]

I hand-bent all new lines, fuel and brake, on this vehicle when I first got it. The fuel line comes down to meet the connection at the tank and makes almost a right angle turn there. I could cut a section out of the line (about 7-8 inches to install the filter, but I think the one I installed just ahead of the fuel pump will work out fine. I may be getting cruddy gas at the local B&P but I doubt it. I may have introduced crud in the tank when I siphoned back in the original 18 gallon, but I doubt that too. We'll see what this new filter turns up. I am running a 4299 AC pump right now and just maybe it had some crud in it that just broke loose. All good guesses, but we'll see where the crud gets caught now.