"only fill 3/4"

I took delivery of a 87 M1038 the other day from Ft. Bragg, despite all the flooding. My thoughts and prayers to those affected by the hurricane. There is an odd [to me] red Dymo label at the top of the gauge panel, "ONLY FILL 3/4". Now, I assume it refers to the fuel tank. Any ideas why? Maybe a hole accidentally drilled in the top of the tank? The fuel gauge pegs on full all the time, so probably pulling the tank at some point anyway, but I am curious if there are any known issues with topping the tank.

RoosterJ said:

I took delivery of a 87 M1038 the other day from Ft. Bragg, despite all the flooding. My thoughts and prayers to those affected by the hurricane. There is an odd [to me] red Dymo label at the top of the gauge panel, "ONLY FILL 3/4". Now, I assume it refers to the fuel tank. Any ideas why? Maybe a hole accidentally drilled in the top of the tank? The fuel gauge pegs on full all the time, so probably pulling the tank at some point anyway, but I am curious if there are any known issues with topping the tank.

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Might be an "Airborne or Air Drop" requirement for the Airborne.....like full tank and loaded in a aircraft on a hot day.....fuel expands and leaks inside the plane.....my wild asp guess

Or some enterprising fitter has calibrating' your fuel gauge inaccuracy.

dmetalmiki said:

Or some enterprising fitter has calibrating' your fuel gauge inaccuracy.

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I would think it would have been wrote up in the log book and 2nd shop replace it......

Jakob1944 said:

I would think it would have been wrote up in the log book and 2nd shop replace it......

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Ha, you provide way too much credit in thinking they're that they're that organized.....

Our tank leaks slightly if you fill it all the way up. The plastic tanks have many limitations from what I've read. I have a replacement fuel tank, but haven't changed it out yet.

Jakob1944 said:

Might be an "Airborne or Air Drop" requirement for the Airborne.....like full tank and loaded in a aircraft on a hot day.....fuel expands and leaks inside the plane.....my wild asp guess

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It's a good one though.

Dash placard:

Lawdog734 said:

Ha, you provide way too much credit in thinking they're that they're that organized.....

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Sorry you feel that way......I was a 1/Sgt....I spent 20 in the Army in Line and Maint units......82nd, 25th and 101st.....

Jakob1944 said:

Sorry you feel that way......I was a 1/Sgt....I spent 20 in the Army in Line and Maint units......82nd, 25th and 101st.....

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No worries at all. I've done my time as well and have seen all sorts of stupid things during the course of my enlistment. The fact that you did 20 should mean that you've seen considerably more stupid stuff.

Someone put a note on it regarding a revised capacity versus actually being concerned about getting it fixed. Then again, it's possible the gauge failed prior to turn in and knowing that it would be turned in, the unit didn't bother to fix it. Ultimately, who knows as it's really speculation on everyone's part.

All vehicles going on aircraft have to be 1/4 tank or less of fuel in the tank, this should be checked during JI "joint inspection". This is what I do for the Air Force....
The Army trucks are certainly better maintained then the Marine corp trucks, that much I do know. The MC trucks I get trashed. The Army trucks seems to have all the MWO's, SOUM applied etc...

Mine leaked slightly when filled all the way up. Drove it 2-3 miles and it stopped leaking. Anyway, it didn't leak enough to not fill it all the way up if I'm traveling in it.