tank filling drama

After complaining about the bladder, it's only fair to report that I filled a tank this morning without even one shut-off until the tank was full. It was in the low 30s this morning, too. I still wonder what caused the previous cut-offs, though. Something must occasionally cause the vapors to trip the nozzle. At least, should it happen again (or if someone else experiences this problem), I'll know it's not a permanent issue.

 

I've had click-off problems on three occasions, and they were always related to a bad pump nozzle. I had the same problem on occasion with my old 1994 Ford Aerostar van, and I can assure you that one had no bladder.

Tom

 

Recently experienced the same fill problem on our 2008.....

Car was down to four pips, which normally requires about 6 gallons to fill up. However, the pump shut off after 2.3 gallons. Ran a few errands and noticed that the gauge still registered only four pips. Went back to the same station an hour later and was able to add an additional 2.5 gallons. Gauge was still registering four pips, but went to full (ten pips) after driving around for ten minutes.

Have concluded that the station pump used for the first fill attempt was not operating properly and that the small amount (2.3g) added was not enough to cause the gauge to recalibrate.

Like you, I'm amazed that the simple process of putting gas in a car has become so complicated! IMHO, this is a flawed design (bladder), which Toyota smartly eliminated in the 2010 model year.

 

I can actually pull the nozzle out (watch the fuel going in) and fill my 08 up at a pretty good clip...this is after the first click

 

I mentioned this several posts back, but it's been awhile ago now. My issue was definitely *not* a pump malfunction. I went to 3 different gas stations and had the same problem back-to-back for 3 subsequent fillups. And they were 3 stations that I visit fairly regularly and have not had problems before. The last 2 times I've filled up, I did so at the end of my commute and pumped the gas at a slower (but not trickling) speed and had no problems. In fact, I pumped 8.5 gallons the last time with 2 bars left. (Well, it did stop at 7.5 and I had to force the last gallon in, but it wasn't so bad). I don't know if the bladder is able to warm up a little after a 35-mile commute to make a difference or what, but I haven't had the problem reoccur after those 3 fillups. The weather has been just as cold, too, until this week.

 

No its not the pump. And please don't hold the pump out of the nozzle hole when your filling either. Thats nutty. I figured out what the deal was about a year ago on my 07 and have not had any drama since.

Here you go its this easy:

The tank needs to vent before you fill it up.

When you pull into the gas station open the gas cap. Stow it on the gas cover where it belongs and leave the nozzle hole open. Go inside and get something to drink. And maybe a Lotto ticket if your feeling lucky.

Come out and fill up on SLOWEST POSSIBLE SETTING.

On the first click no matter what the gallons filled indicated are hang up the pump. FIRST CLICK. If gallons indicated are a little low it will even out the next time.

Do not ever again top off. Forget that.

I know letting the tank vent I am somewhat defeating the zero emissions mission this car is on but a big puddle of gas under my car all the time is much worse me thinks.

This procedure is a very tiny price to pay for a very cool car.

Vent
Slow fill
Hang up first click
Never ever again top off
No more problems

Have not had one gas belching episode since. I fill up when it just rolls to the last pip. I usually fill up about 8 gallons every time with no problem. 380-400 miles on a tank. Do it the same every time. Watch it for a while as the tank is tricky on this car.If its rolling more than 8 gallons stop and hang up the pump and try again next time.

I'd wish you good luck but you won't need it if you follow my advice.
All you need is a little patience. It was hard for me!!!

 

I'm not sure if you were replying to me specifically or to everyone in general -- but since you quoted my post, I want to clarify that I never said I filled up my tank by holding the pump outside of the nozzle. That said, if my gas gauge is down to 2 bars and I'm only able to get 2.5 gallons into the bladder (when I know I need 6-8 gallons), I'm definitely going to do what I can to get more gas into the tank. That's not called "topping off" -- that's just "trying to get the right amount of gas in my tank." I have a 35-mile commute (one-way) and I can't easily drive on 2.5+ gallons of gas, having to put another 2.5 gallons in every 100/125 miles (especially when the gas gauge doesn't register that that small amount of volume has been added).

Insofar as the venting is concerned -- I also don't usually have time to walk into the store and buy something when I'm on my commute. But I could certainly allow a few moments to see if it helps if the problem reoccurs. Hard to do if you have a line of people behind you, though.

 

Sorry...in my haste I replied to you but meant the original poster.

But yes my method takes a little more time and is hard if there's not alot of gas stations in the area and its real busy. Around here there's 2 gas stations on every corner.

But I believe the main issue is the haste in which the pump is inserted and the gas volume speed. A minute or two of venting allows the bladder to relax and de-gas itself.

Its a complete hypothesis but has worked for me for about a year now. Try it.

 

I am the main driver on our 09, but my wife drives it once in a while and she eperienced an overflow problem the very first time she put gas in. Not sure exactly how it happened, but it wasn't pretty. She got gas all over her and a gallon or so on the ground. Now she won't drive it unless she absolutly has to.

 

Real simple solution take the bladder out like me and mod it to an actual tank size of of 10-15 gallon

 

Yeah that's simple. ;-) Got any photos of the project? I'm curious.

- D

 

...and probably illegal.

Tom

 

As an update to my last post, I continued to experience the fill problem on numerous pump stations. I tried filling up with the pump nozzle slightly pulled out, but the problem remained.

I did a little research and found that low-vapor nozzles were mandated in California this past year and, thinking back, that's about when my fill problem started. Based on these findings, I tried filling up with the pump nozzle fully inserted, but with the nozzle seal (rubber) pulled back slightly from the tank filler opening. Using this method, I have since filled up numerous times without any premature pump shut-off! If you're still experiencing fill problems, you might want to give this method a try.

 

I ran into trouble at my normal gas station this week. I used two pumps, and both repeatedly clicked off. It appears that the station recently recalibrated the auto-shutoffs on all of their pumps. Other stations still work fine.

Tom

 

Turnbowm---I also have found that this works, but have not found a convenient way to pull back the rubber seal. How do you do it without damaging the seal?

 

The rubber seal I was referring to is on the station pump nozzle, not the one in the Prius filler opening.

I put the pump nozzle fully into the Prius filler opening and then place my finger between the nozzle seal (rubber) and the place where the seal contacts the Prius (not the filler hole), thus creating a gap between the two. This allows the system to vent, avoiding pressure buildup. My finger remains in place until the pump shuts off.

 

Quite illegal, since it destroyed the evaporative emissions control system.

 

Happened to me this past Saturday (27 Feb). Put the handle on slow setting for 1/2 tank and after 5 gallons it started to overflow. Figured it was the fuel cut off in the handle. yesterday I filled it up another couple of gallons to see if it would happen again, it didn't, BUT my fuel gage did not show the last bar to full. ???