1997 850 won't accept fuel at the gas station. Topic is solved

moses3 · Post by **moses3** » 29 Dec 2022, 08:21

This should be a fun one!

1997 850, 155,000 miles. The car will not take fuel, meaning when I go to the gas station and I stick the fuel pump in the car, it only takes about half a gallon, or maybe 3/4 of a gallon and then cuts off. I have to force it to take fuel, by holding the pump handle on. Any idea what's going on? Is this a sign of some other bigger issue that will evolve?

I have been to 5 different gas stations on 3 different days.

Post by **erikv11** » 29 Dec 2022, 11:51

Common causes are restricted air flow in the vent system hoses or the fill was topped off too many times and the carbon canister is full of gas.

e.g.
viewtopic.php?t=92810
viewtopic.php?t=92377

454cid · Post by **454cid** » 29 Dec 2022, 11:56

Assuming you're not trying to fill a full tank, it's got to be a venting issue. I've had that happen on a GM work van. On the van the whole evap system was under the vehicle next to the tank, and the official word from GM was that "spiders" would nest in some hole and plug it up. I think it was just a poor design given the location. Thankfully my truck has the more traditional setup with everything under the hood.

I have no idea where things are located on the P80 Volvos. I'd starting looking at lines, valves, whatever in the evap system if someone else doesn't come along and provide something more specific.

moses3 · Post by **moses3** » 29 Dec 2022, 12:11

I never top it off, I let it stop when it stops.

Been reading online that it is likely a clogged vacuum line. Many people have said that they did nothing and it just went away on its own. We just had a huge temperature swing here, -10 to 50, I wonder if condensation is a factor?

Post by **scot850** » 29 Dec 2022, 12:19

If this has just started, as you say I would wait until the weather has warmed up and see if the problem goes away. Could have had a lot of water in your fuel that froze with the low temperatures. There is a roll-over valve which is a vent and it could be it has failed or frozen with the cold. The issue with the carbon filter is I think unlikely with your 97 as I believe the carbon can is at the front of the car under the LH fender in front of the front wheel. The flooding of the carbon can is worse for the later cars as the carbon canister is at the rear near the tank. Not saying it is impossible but I think unlikely.

Neil.

moses3 · Post by **moses3** » 29 Dec 2022, 14:07

Neil, I'm thinking of adding a bottle of HEET (gas line water remover), it's been a decade since I've used it, but it always worked well.

Rubber has a life of 10 years, so it's quite possible gaskets and seals are not functioning 100% and in extreme weather allowing moisture to get in.

Post by **scot850** » 29 Dec 2022, 14:53

Glad to hear you are being realistic on rubber parts having a lifespan. Many don't and complain why has this part failed. Maybe because it is made of or parts in it are made of rubber and your car is 25+ years old??

I can't see why HEET should be an issue as all it does is help capture moisture and help getting it burnt out the fuel system.

Let us know if the system and filling returns to normal. Thanks!

Good Luck!

Neil.

Post by **jreed** » 30 Dec 2022, 06:03

I had this problem a couple of times too a while back and in my cases it turned out to be (1) plugged vacuum line and (2) plugged evap vent canister line.

write-up: viewtopic.php?t=70426
video: viewtopic.php?t=71484

moses3 · Post by **moses3** » 30 Dec 2022, 06:22

jreed wrote: ↑30 Dec 2022, 06:03 I had this problem a couple of times too a while back and in my cases it turned out to be (1) plugged vacuum line and (2) plugged evap vent canister line.

write-up: viewtopic.php?t=70426
video: viewtopic.php?t=71484

For the first one, vacuum line, which one are you referring too? Under the hood on the right side of the engine?

Post by **jreed** » 30 Dec 2022, 14:55

The plugged line was at the roll-over valve underneath the car, near the fuel filter. The roll over valve is circled in red below:

: Screen Shot 2022-12-30 at 5.19.50 PM.png (512.01 KiB) Viewed 470 times

I replaced the lines and that fixed the "can't fill up with gas" problem at the time. Good luck!