Anyone has problem filling up the gas tank?
- Thread starter HeritageBruce
- Start date
I have gotten the nozzle all the way in only a few times but the rest of the times, no matter how hard I try, the nozzle won't go any further and would stop if I don't keep the nozzle at a certain angle with my hand. And I only use Chevron as I get it for free (company gas card). So please don't ask me the GT's gas mileage. :lol
bonehead
GT Owner
A little bump for myself on this topic. Filled up the car for the first time myself this past weekend, and it was a struggle. Already stressing about trying not to break the dreaded fuel filler flap, I GENTLY inserted the nozzle to the hilt and squeezed the trigger......nothing. No resistance from the pump = no seal. Well, I looked around to make sure no one was staring at me as I struggled to get the damn pump to start dispensing gas. Tried different angles and finally found that I had to pull the nozzle out about 1/2 way and depress the trigger no more than 3/4 or the pump would shut off again. Doing it this way, there is no auto shut off, so I had to guess when the tank was full based on the last gauge reading and the capacity. Ok....pain in the ass, but at least I knew how to do it now....
Until I had to fill up a second time. Different pump, different station. I tried EVERYTHING and could not get the pump to start. Had a father and son come up to chat about the car and felt badly that I kinda brushed them off because I was getting REALLY pissed off and embarrassed that I couldn't get gas in the tank. After about 5 minutes of rotating, tilting, inserting, removing the nozzle with not a drop of fuel to show for it, I gave up. Fortunately, I had enough to get home.
Now I'm apprehensive about going to get gas again. Is this a fuel filler flap problem? I don't think so because when the gas gets flowing, it doesn't trickle; it flows normally. It's just getting that initial seal that seems to be the problem.
Now I do live in California and we do have those evap skirts on the pump nozzles, so I don't know if these played a part in my issues. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Until I had to fill up a second time. Different pump, different station. I tried EVERYTHING and could not get the pump to start. Had a father and son come up to chat about the car and felt badly that I kinda brushed them off because I was getting REALLY pissed off and embarrassed that I couldn't get gas in the tank. After about 5 minutes of rotating, tilting, inserting, removing the nozzle with not a drop of fuel to show for it, I gave up. Fortunately, I had enough to get home.
Now I'm apprehensive about going to get gas again. Is this a fuel filler flap problem? I don't think so because when the gas gets flowing, it doesn't trickle; it flows normally. It's just getting that initial seal that seems to be the problem.
Now I do live in California and we do have those evap skirts on the pump nozzles, so I don't know if these played a part in my issues. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
BlackICE
GT Owner
Usually you can hold back the bellows on the nozzle and the gas will flow without a seal. Ihat's what I do to fill up gas cans. You have to be careful because it will not automatically turn off.
bonehead
GT Owner
So is the problem I'm describing a problem with that stupid evap skirt? Do you have to do this? While gas flow is better than no flow, I also don't want a ton of 91 unleaded draining out the overfill hole and along the fender:eek.
Is there any way to get a seal and allow the pump to shut off itself?
bonehead
GT Owner
Don't think I haven't thought about it! But I just moved to the 'welfare-state' a year ago. If I uproot again, my wife will divorce me:facepalm:
ultrasportracing
GT Owner
Just a thought, but the filler tube is quite small, and if the pump flow is too fast for the capacity of the inlet tube,, then you will have problems..
BlackICE
GT Owner
You might already have the infamous flapper problem. Slide sideways the first door on the filler. Then you should still see that the opening is closed. If not the flapper is broken. If so, push the center of opening the flapper should move down and when you let go move back up to seal the opening.
bonehead
GT Owner
Thank for the input but that wouldn't explain the situation when the pump wouldn't start at all.
bonehead
GT Owner
Well now I had to go run into the garage and double check. Fortunately, the flap and the sliding black door are intact.
BlackICE
GT Owner
Your timing is impeccable! Just in time for CA's new tax rates that are retroactive to Jan. 1st 2012.
Kayvan
GT Owner
- Jul 13, 2006
- 4,782
I would go to a another station....
I have tried nozzle on both coasts with different evap robber boots; many times the pump or machine is at fault
I do the pull the rubber nozzle skirt back, let nozzle tip push spring loaded cover aside and let metal nozzle insert
Every station is different and have found Shell to be better, and chevron to have huge rubber boots...
Yet last sunday, I filled up at a Shell in OC and metal nozzle made a chafing sound against plastic spring loaded cover; I filled up a few gallons and left, not risking a re-insert or a top off with spill down drain hose.
Helps alot at half-trigger too
I have tried nozzle on both coasts with different evap robber boots; many times the pump or machine is at fault
I do the pull the rubber nozzle skirt back, let nozzle tip push spring loaded cover aside and let metal nozzle insert
Every station is different and have found Shell to be better, and chevron to have huge rubber boots...
Yet last sunday, I filled up at a Shell in OC and metal nozzle made a chafing sound against plastic spring loaded cover; I filled up a few gallons and left, not risking a re-insert or a top off with spill down drain hose.
Helps alot at half-trigger too
BlackICE
GT Owner
ultrasportracing
GT Owner
Whats the rubber flapper you mention.. I have seen something like a rubber plate arrangement that goes over the whole filler,, any pics please.. We have nothing like that in Australia,, just let the fumes go into our air.. Cheers
Xcentric
GT Owner
It's an accordian bellows that is supposed to compress and form a tight seal over the fuel filler. Like many CARB mandated devices, it doesn't work worth a damn.
If you google, you'll find many links of complaints that they don't fit various vehicles.
Some people call them fuel filler foreskins. :lol
If you google, you'll find many links of complaints that they don't fit various vehicles.
Some people call them fuel filler foreskins. :lol
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These dispensing nozzles are a big problem in the motorcycle world as well. There is an easy solution available and it works great:
http://www.aerostich.com/e-z-fill-nozzle-key.html
I have one but seldom need it in Texas....yet. Wife keeps one in her Harley saddle bag too.
http://www.aerostich.com/e-z-fill-nozzle-key.html
I have one but seldom need it in Texas....yet. Wife keeps one in her Harley saddle bag too.