Fuel Filler Problem

thiggy · Post by **thiggy** » 03 Aug 2004, 06:17

My 2001 V70 XC has developed a serious problem. After parking my car at my parents' home for about 10 days while I was out of the country, I find that I can't get it to accept fuel. The first time I tried to fill it up, the pump kept shutting off as if the tank were full (the low fuel light was on). I was able to dribble about 1/4 tankful into it, but I stopped trying in frustration, assuming there was a problem with the service station pump. Well yesterday my wife had the same problem. The gauge shows nearly empty but the filler nozzle keeps shutting off and spitting gas. The car has suffered no physical damage, no work has been done on it since a brake job 6 weeks ago. Anyone have any ideas as to what my problem might be? I looked behind the rear tire, and there is no damage to the tire well in the area of the filler tube. Help, Help.

stormin Norman · Post by **stormin Norman** » 03 Aug 2004, 08:24

Mebbe the gas gauge is bad and the tank is really full of gas?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 04 Aug 2004, 06:31

Update: At 93,000+ miles, the vehicle is out of warranty, or a trip to the dealer would have been my first action. Last night I decided to try once more and determine what the problem might be. I drove to the gas station with a mini-light. I held open the flapper and shined the light down the nozzle as far as it would illuminate and was unable to see anything untoward, so I stuck the filler nozzle down her throat and began fuling. It took a full tank of gas and did not shut off till it was full. It was a relief, but I still don't know what was wrong. The only thing that I can say for sure is that the gas gauge is OK, but what caused the problem in the first place? What should I do if it occurs again?

Post by **matthew1** » 04 Aug 2004, 12:14

Was the first gas station different than the successful one? If not, was it a different pump that your wife tried? (The fist pump nozzle may have been defective)

bimmerjac · Post by **bimmerjac** » 04 Aug 2004, 20:01

If it was the same station I would assume they have a problem with the pump venting system causing the gas to backup in the filler tube and tripping the auto shutoff in the pump handle.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 05 Aug 2004, 00:59

We used to have this trouble with the mid 80's Benzes. Vapor lock in the fuel tank emissions system caused back pressure which caused the pumps to "click" as if the tank was full.

Usually the cause with a bad charcoal filter that wasn't letting the excess vapors escape properly.

This was really a big problem during the summer months when the ethanol fuel and the heat caused the fuel to vaporize more than normal.