Pumping Gas problem - 2000 Volvo S80

Stormy29 · Post by **Stormy29** » 04 Jun 2011, 09:55

Hello everyone i started reading pages and pages of the forum but couldnt found anyone with my problem. Today went to the gas station and started pumping some gas when suddenly it stop, caught my attention because i was almost on empty n this stop was after few seconds. I was reading couple of things online that says the evaporative cannister or something like that could be blocked. If anyone has any idea pls i would apprettiate your input or any help. Drive a 2000 volvo S80

Post by **jimmy57** » 04 Jun 2011, 12:36

Two things come to mind. One is the vent filter that is attached to the filler pipe up high near the gas cap end has become plugged.
The other is an issue that can happen when the engine cooling fan does an afterrun when shut off. IF the temp of engine is above a certain level or if you have driven the car at a high engine load in the prior 6 minutes before you stop engine the ECM will elect to run fan to keep underhood temps lower. If the fuel tank testing was initiated when you idled at fuel pump before you turned key off the fuel tank pressure test could have started. If fan is afterrunning and the test is started when the key is turned off then the canister vent valve that is energized and closed for testing can be kept closed and it will not take fuel because the vapors can't go anywhere and fuel backs up in the filler and kicks off nozzle like it was full.
Cycling ignition switch fixes this condition but has no bearing on the vent filter being plugged.
If it is a continual problem it is filter or like you read, a plugged canister or plumbing to the canister.
If it is the other condition you may drive for years and not have the combinations of things occur again.

Stormy29 · Post by **Stormy29** » 05 Jun 2011, 00:45

Is there any way to manually check if the vent is plugged ? i see an opening close to the gas pump, on the side, any way that maybe i can try to unclog or check it ???

537playing · Post by **537playing** » 05 Jun 2011, 06:23

I also had same condition. I would spray some air into this air vent hose. Dealer told me that it could be clogged with a spider web. Buy one of the compressed air cans that's used for computer keyboards.

Beachbum · Post by **Beachbum** » 06 Jun 2011, 07:19

jimmy57 wrote:Two things come to mind. One is the vent filter that is attached to the filler pipe up high near the gas cap end has become plugged.
The other is an issue that can happen when the engine cooling fan does an afterrun when shut off. IF the temp of engine is above a certain level or if you have driven the car at a high engine load in the prior 6 minutes before you stop engine the ECM will elect to run fan to keep underhood temps lower. If the fuel tank testing was initiated when you idled at fuel pump before you turned key off the fuel tank pressure test could have started. If fan is afterrunning and the test is started when the key is turned off then the canister vent valve that is energized and closed for testing can be kept closed and it will not take fuel because the vapors can't go anywhere and fuel backs up in the filler and kicks off nozzle like it was full.
Cycling ignition switch fixes this condition but has no bearing on the vent filter being plugged.
If it is a continual problem it is filter or like you read, a plugged canister or plumbing to the canister.
If it is the other condition you may drive for years and not have the combinations of things occur again.

Jimmy 57:

Thanks so much for your excellent explanation of this problem. This has happened to me about 5 or 6 times in the 10 years I have owned my 2001 S80. In fact it just happened again the last time I got gas, and sure enough I remember that the fan was running. Mystery solved, thanks to you!

Note that you can still fill up your tank if you go slowly and wait a few seconds between squeezes of the pump. But I will try cycling the iginition switch as you suggest if this happens again.

Thanks again,
Beachbum

Post by **jimmy57** » 06 Jun 2011, 07:48

The vent filter device is under the car. You follow the filler pipe over to the right rear fender and when you see where it bends and goes up to pass into the filler neck housing you will see the filter. There is an open end that points down.
Is your car taking fuel miserably slow every time you fill it?

Beachbum · Post by **Beachbum** » 06 Jun 2011, 08:05

Nope...just every once in a great while, like maybe 5 or 6 times in 10 years. The rest of the time it takes gas normally. So I don't think there is any problem with my vent filter or canister. But it is as you described so well above (canister vent valve closed while testing, engine fan running, etc.)

Thanks again!

Stormy29 · Post by **Stormy29** » 06 Jun 2011, 20:09

anyone can guide me in how to pump some air into the vent hose ??? like where its located and how to access it .. thank you guys for your responses.

Post by **jimmy57** » 06 Jun 2011, 22:41

I don't think canned air will do it. I clean them by taking the hose off at canister end and blowing through the hose to clean filter. I see the filters clog with dust when the cars is driven on dusty roads regularly.

Stormy29 · Post by **Stormy29** » 07 Jun 2011, 05:21

hey jimmy57 thank you for your response, do you know idf there is any guide or step by step line up in how to detach the hose off to clean it. thanks for the reponses !