Prius won't accept any gas

Wait til your fuel gauge is on the last pip and blinking. That means you have approximately 2 gallons remaining. Fill up at that time and see how many gallons you can get in

 

Insert the pump upside-down. That is the only way I could get gas in my GenII without it constantly popping.

 

Unless you are already familiar with that particular car, waiting for the last flashing pip in a cold location is risky with the Gen2 bladder. While numerous drivers have had no problem, numerous other have run out of fuel at or very close to that point. So unless you know the car well, or are willing and prepared to test the bottom of the tank, refilling up at 2 bars is much safer. Even when a fussy bladder is not allowing a full refill.

 

read up on the many threads here on how to fill a finicky bladder. there are many effective methods.

 

...there was a recent thread on this issue....perhaps it was Eclipse1701D above....if so, I had suggested the upside-down pump idea which I recently had heard here from BritPrius (John) as a way to get the tank filled up really full.

..any safety tips? Does it still go off automatically?

 

Yes. It still turns off. I don't know why, but the upside down thing always worked, for me...

 

Keep the pump nozzle the right way up and turn the car upside down ......


Have you tried filling from a gallon can? I known it's not the solution, but it might be a way of getting around it. Fill it using containers and try again when it's showing half full

 

...good for you, I wonder what it is about the Prius gas tank that causes the pump to shut off sometimes. I wonder if after a few fills you can go back to regular way to fill up.

 

In North America, the gen 2 prius 2004 to 2009 had a bladder in the gas tank to prevent fuel vaporization. This bladder has a variable size with ambient tempuratures. Under rare circumstances it can misfold and cause filling issues, but mostly it is that lack of air above the gas that causes slow fills. I found that opening the cap first then paying and selecting fuel helped. In any case, the gauge may fail to register any amount under 3 gallons, so always wait until you can add at least 3 gallons.

 

I appreciate there is a significant difference between the US fuel tank and the tanks used in the rest of the world, but yesterday I found another difference. Running low on fuel "one pip" I stopped at a petrol station that was more expensive than most so I only put £10 worth of petrol in. This is 1.6 gallons at the price charged. The fuel gauge registered this going up to 3 pips. I was surprised at this having read reports here that the gauge does not register anything under 3 gallons, but never having put so little in the tank before I did not think it would register.

John (Britprius)

 

ok, I have had 4 Prius' all Gen 2 2009 and newer, now I buy this 2011 and I can put .3 of a gallon in it at time. The carbon filter has been changed, Ive tried rotating the nozzle 90 degrees & 180 degrees, and 4-5 different stations, tried filling when completely empty, left cap off for 5 minutes, nothing helps......... ideas? milage is running 40-42 and with same via calculations and fuel used..

 

I'd check the fuel filler pipe and vent. There might be some constriction in one or the other. Either fuel can't get into the tank or air can't get out. Either will cause the pump nozzle shut off flow.

Long time ago, a neighbor complained that he couldn't fill his tank. We looked under his car and found the reason. Seems that he had hit some debris on the highway that has crushed his gas tank so it only held a couple of gallons. Unlikely your case, but it can happen.

 

I'll try my 2 cents..

Try adding gas at the very slowest rate you can, as a diagnostic.

If that works, then it could be a restriction in the tube.

Think, what if someone dropped a couple of quarters down the tube? The anti theft/grill at the end of the tube would prevent the coins from going into the tank. The tube would fill quickly, shutting the pump valve off, but then would empty out in a few seconds.

 

What is a carbon filter for and where is it located?

 

Filter is an emissions feature and located under the car - towards the back. Dealership "cleaned" it and connections and the check engine light is off. Quarters? - dont know - but tonight Im running a rod down the inlet to see if there is something blocking inlet. Ive tried the "fill the first couple of gallons slow...." and that didnt work. Approx temp is 65 degrees F.

 

Quarters was for the thought concept. Reality could be the flap that closes the hole, or a cover on the flap, that broke off and fell in.

But if slow doesn't work, it may not be a restriction. It may be real slow. Can you put some in, wait then put some in.... repeat several time until you get a lot more in that just trying to fill it ? I'm in no way suggesting that that's how you need to fill, but may diagnose the problem. It is just a tank with a filler tube, has to be one or the other.

 

I have no knowledge of cause, but curious if you can fill 1-gal gas can and pour in manually.

We are having less but some probs too, I am wondering if the "observed" vapor pressure of the fuel could be higher this time of year. What I mean by "observed" is net effect of higher outside temps and possibly not all the way to final summer fuel lower RVP spec yet.

 

so, some idiot (me) noticed that there hadnt ever been a flapper in the filler neck of this car, and explained and convinced that it must be down the neck, preventing fuel from entering the tank. So the big dummy (me), with small 4' 3/8" extention decided that it would be a great ideat to drive the quarter or any other remaining pieces down into the tank, so I can put gas into it. So, now instead of not accepting fuel, it all runs out on the ground. Does anyone have a breakdown of the fill neck assembly and part numbers, so I know what I need to order.... to fix the screw up? Im guesing drop tank down, and reinstall neck. (doubting the 36 month bumper to bumper warranty covers this....

 

I'd ask; after all, it is between the bumpers.