Fuel tank only take gas very slowly

[jpgurley]

I have a 1998 V70 Cross Country with 180K. I bought it with this problem where you cannot get the fuel to enter the tank at a normal speed. Even the first notch on a gas nozzle is too fast and cuts off immediately. The tank was removed for a new fuel pump by a factory trained tech before I bought it, and I don't know if the problem existed before that repair.

I have been told that there is some kind of valve that closes off the filler pipe at the tank during an evap system test, but no info found about that so far. Oh yeah, the check engine light is almost always on except in very cold weather with a code P0455 but I am not sure it is related.

I have also been told that the rollover valve (a float type valve) could be stuck in the half way position, but don't really want to pull the tank on this AWD just to look at that.

The only thing that has ever worked was to fill up at a station that had an unleveled filling area and the left front was about a foot lower than the right rear. That was still not a normal speed fill up, but one of the only times where I could let it fill without holding the nozzle barely cracked open.

I have removed the cover from the floor where the wires go in, and only see a very snake like design but no real access to look in the tank where the filler hose goes in.

I am a patient man but after about a half a tank, I pay my $30.00 and drive off. On a trip when I want to fill up it takes forever.

One clue is that the first couple of gallons go in a bit faster than the last ones.

Has anyone dealt with this issue before?

Thanks for any ideas.

[MilehighV70XC]

I have the same problem with my '99 XC. If I put the gas nozzle all the way in, the gas pump shuts off almost immediately. All I have to do is stick the gas nozzle about half way in. After that, the tank fills up at full speed. I am not quite sure how a gas pump automatic shut off works. For some reason with the nozzle all the way in, there is to much pressure or something, and the tank can not vent fast enough and shuts the gas pump off.
I know this does not help much but at least now you know your not alone.

[jblackburn]

My car does the same at some stations - Costco's are the worst (but they have the cheapest gas!) The nozzle halfway in the tank as mentioned above usually works for me.

P0455 is a gross EVAP system leak. I would start my hunt at the J-hose on the charcoal canister - it is tucked in front of your right rear wheel, a large black box. If that looks ok, then head towards the front of the car. There is a purge valve on the radiator shroud; disconnect the line heading into the valve from the bottom and attempt a fill-up. Make sure you later re-connect the hose - fuel vapors floating around in your engine compartment = not a good thing

In the below picture, follow the red highlighted line back to the square valve at the bottom left of the picture.

[jimmy57]

The tank inlet has downward pointed pipe that lets fuel go in low so the fuel will prevent vapor from escaping back through filler. That is not so likely to be the trouble. The vapors have to go through the charcoal canister and then out through a vent valve. The vent valve is under driver's fender up front. It is above and behind the charcoal canister. If anything obstructs the vent valve or if any of the lines from tank in rear up to charcoal canister are crimped or obstructed then the fuel can't tun in because the trapped vapors aren't leaving. The charcoal canister itself can be blocked and do this. Vent valves with spider nests or dirt wasp nests have caused the slow filler problem.
The rollover valve is readily accessible (relatively speaking..) just to the right of the of the spare tire well next to fuel filter.

[jpgurley]

Thanks for the tips so far.

First of all, I have tried all different positions of the filler nozzle, all to no avail. I have tried with the car running, not running, hot days, cold days, just the key on . . (If I fill up a gas can and pour it in the car it is actually the fastest way to get a full tank!) The problem with that on a trip is what do you do with the stinky gas can in the back of the wagon? My wife doesn't like that solution and a can on the roof rack looks too tacky!

In terms of the venting, I believe that the venting through the evap system could be the problem with the reoccurring code, but my understanding is that the venting while filling is through the pipe and hose that comes off the top of the tank that should open freely to the top of the filler pipe (not through the charcoal cannister) right?

Is there really a valve that shuts off the filler pipe during some kind of computer generated evap test, or was that Volvo tech just pulling my leg? He had suggested some kind of "behavior modification" by changing the wiring to that valve. So is that the same as the rollover valve and is it electronically activated?

As to the rollover valve, what would be the best way to test/ repair it and how could it cause the slow fuel flow?

From what you guys have shared, I think I am hunting down two problems that are not related. Right? I will try the J hose that Jblackburn suggested at my next filling and let you know if it changed anything.

I know that I am asking a lot of questions, but this problem has been with me for over a year and I have been stumped by it.

Thanks again for all your help.

[jimmy57]

the venting is through the charcoal canister. Emissions standards required a reduced hydrocarbon standard that included emissions while fueling the car. The charcoal canister collects vapors during fueling.
The valve by the charcoal canister is open except when it is closed for tank leakage testing. The fuel cap is what closes the filler pipe, no valve there. The inlet into tank having a flap and being directed low into tank is the method to contain vapor backflow out of filler while fueling.
Rollover is not electric. There is at least vent outlet from tank on AWD tanks that is also a float/rollover valve. It's lower on tank and its function is to close when fuel gets high enough so liquid doesn't go to canister and also to close for vehicle roll.
Your large leakage code could be the ELECTRIC canister vent valve up above and behind charcoal canister in L front fender being stuck by debris or broken valve and is setting leak code during test but not open enough to adequately vent for fueling.

[jpgurley]

Thanks Jimmy57 I will check it out. I never knew the vent went through the cannister so all this makes sense.

[jimmy57]

Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery, ORVR, was fitted to a few in 96 and I think 98 it was 100% of US Volvos.
Unburned hydrocarbons were regulated post combustion but they made service stations responsible for an easy standard of VR. Then the decision was made that the car should collect refueling vapors.
Some parts of California had dual hose pumps for several years that had to be held tightly against filler neck for vapor collection by station's system until ORVR came along.