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I can't fill my car up with gas without the gas pump stopping every few seconds!

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AFK

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
This started about a week or so ago, but whenever I try to fill my car with gas, the gas pump would stop filling gas like it thinks my gas tank is full! And it's definitely not, and this would happen with ANY gas station and gas pump. I have no idea what is causing this, and right now, it takes like 10 minutes just to fill my gas tank, and to make matters worse, I can't tell when my tank if really full since the gas pump constantly thinks my gas tank is full!

What the deuce is going on???
 
Discussion starter · #2 ·
Another question, and totally unrelated:

My Eclipse is an automatic. Is it bad that I always like to shift "gears" from 1 to 3? I will shift gears based on the road's incline and to also to try to save on wear & tear on my brakes.
 
#3 ·
AFK said:
Another question, and totally unrelated:

My Eclipse is an automatic. Is it bad that I always like to shift "gears" from 1 to 3? I will shift gears based on the road's incline and to also to try to save on wear & tear on my brakes.
Click to expand...

Let your car do the shifting or else you'll burn the clutches inside your transmission.
 
#5 ·
This condition is probably caused by either a blockage in your gasoline vapor recovery lines or a bad refueling control valve. Cars have a vapor recovery unit that collects the gasoline vapors from the tank and then, the next time the car is started, sends them to the engine, where they're combusted. Your vapor recovery system isn't working. One possibility is that one of the rubber hoses is blocked or collapsed. when the air (and the vapors) can't get out of the tank, there's no room for gasoline to go in. The other possibility is that one of the valves involved in the refueling process (the refueling control valve, the refueling EVAP vapor-cut valve or the one-way fuel valve) is not working. Take it to a shop or dealership and have them look at it.
 
#6 ·
I've had it happen to my car at a pump just recently. I noticed when it happend I could hear the filler neck fill up with gas and trigger the release like it should. Later on at the same station but different pump I filled up successfully. Just off hand thinking about it, it must be the delivery pressure and some pumps are flowing too fast for our tanks/vents/neck whatever. Next time try locking the handle at a lower notch.
 
#8 ·
Do you have a check engine light on? It seems your canister close valve is probably stuck closed.

When you remove the gas cap do you hear a loud hissing, do you smell fuel vapor? What's the temperature at your location?
 
#10 ·
How bout this? Don't put the nozzle in so far. That sometimes causes it to "think" its full. I used to work at a gas station and that was a problem for actually a lot of people. They would stick the nozzle in all the way and wouldn't fill up quick enough. The charcoal canister has nothing to do with the way it fills up, that is for emission purposes only. Same purpose on our cars as with any other. Just to burn the fumes off instead of letting them release into the atmosphere.

Check your vapor line that runs alongside the fill tube. Those get clogged with gunk too. That will cause you to overfill too quickly, since there is no way for the air to flow back out the tank.

Reference for this is 14-97 of the DSM FSM. Everyone should have that, or a chiltons or haynes.
 
#12 ·
halucinator said:
The charcoal canister has nothing to do with the way it fills up, that is for emission purposes only. Same purpose on our cars as with any other. Just to burn the fumes off instead of letting them release into the atmosphere.
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The vent line is connected to the canister, many who removes the canister following the Taboo vacuum line removal diagram ends up capping off the vent line/valve causing pressure build up in the tank, this isn't the first time this has happened.
 
#13 ·
oldman said:
The vent line is connected to the canister, many who removes the canister following the Taboo vacuum line removal diagram ends up capping off the vent line/valve causing pressure build up in the tank, this isn't the first time this has happened.
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LOL, I wouldn't cap it off myself, I would disconnect it at the tank instead. It would cause a gasoline smell in the engine compartment from time to time I bet.
 
#14 ·
halucinator said:
LOL, I wouldn't cap it off myself, I would disconnect it at the tank instead. It would cause a gasoline smell in the engine compartment from time to time I bet.
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I don't know what your point is but I would strongly suggest you reconnect that line and vent under the passenger side fender using a vacuum hose, you wouldn't want someone throwing a cig near your gas tank on a hot summer day.
 
#15 ·
Mine does not hiss, temperatures around here lately have been 95-105 for the past two weeks....but I have driven the car in about a month.. Yes the charcoal canister has been removed and I havent capped off any lines..
 
#17 ·
The filler neck tube could be collapsed internally. I have seen it before when a guy was using torches around one and it caught on fire for no more than 2 seconds.
 
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#18 ·
vw2dsm said:
what does removing the charcoal canister do anyway? I still have mine in tact.
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Cleans up the engine bay a little and gets rid of somethig you don't need. And saves some wieght.
 
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#20 ·
My dad once had a old ford truck with this same problem. I remember having to drive to this one gas station that has their pumps on a hill just to so the downhill motion would make gas flow in a little better. That worked pretty good, but I think the problem with the truck was the tank neck itself was bent and dented. Probally not what your problem is but if you know any gas pumps on a hill give it a try.
 
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