unable to pump gas

There is a flap that closes, 30 minutes after the the gas fill door is opened. And IIRC it'll also close if the car is moved a foot or two with the gas fill door opened, something like that? And there's been reports of malfunction, or at the least "surprises". Someone who knows more should be along shortly.

 

It could have simply been a worn out pump nozzle. They do need to be replaced from time to time.

 

We had this problem with our Camry Hybrid for the last year we owned it. I kept meaning to get it fixed but never bothered. One trick we found is if we flip the handle upside down it would let us pump the normal amount. This should not be done on a new car though. One thing that can cause this is spiders. If spiders have crawled into and made a nest in the vapor recovery system, it can cause the tank to think it is actually full when it isn't yet. What you are doing by pulling the nozzle out a bit is allowing the gases to release around the nozzle out to the air rather than going into the vehicle's and nozzle's recovery system where it belongs.

 

Actually, it is the Prime. The car would rather you run on elec. So it refuses gas. Nice feature.

 

what the problem? you should be able to get 5 or 600 miles out of a gallon.

 

If the problem persists at other gas pumps, it may be a problem with the tank air vent. In order for gas to get in, the air has to vent out. This would be a warranty repair item.

 

Only a warranty repair in the first 12 months, after that not so much because debris can get into the tubes that form that system and cause it to malfunction. If that happens later, it is a $50 to $500 repair, but what usually happens is they blow air through the system with a compressor to clear the obstruction which is really a $1 repair effort . Also if they find that spiders are the cause, that will often remove it from a warranty issue, warranties do not tend to cover pest caused issues.

 

If it ever happens again, just move to the next pump. That's immediate confirmation that it's a gas station issue, not your car.

 

I have ALWAYS had to fill our '08 2nd Gen at a VERY slow re-fueling rate... due to the bladder, methinks (which the Prime does not have... am I right?). So is SLOW re-fueling an inconvenience? Yeah! BUT... you might try just gently squeezing the handle - instead of depressing it all the way - when re-fueling. Bladder-or-no, this MIGHT help, at least until you can have your car checked out.

 

MN, this is something I'd want to track down and get fixed sooner rather than later. I'd run on gas and find out what's happening with the fill system. Get that squared away, then enjoy your electron fuel.

 

Make sure the car is "off" when you refuel. If it isn't the valve is closed.
The sequence is:
Turn car off.
Open filler door.
Fuel within a minute or so.
Do not interrupt the sequence, or if you have to, repeat from the top.

 

What kind of a fuel tank does the prime have? Is it a bladder again?

 

No bladder, but to reduce evap. emissions even further there is a valve in the tank inlet.

 

I've noticed that once the pump handle clicks off...i'm good for about 1/2 gallon more and that's it...we don't have to stand there and pump slow like i did with my gen 2s and it's burping bladder syndrome...

 

That happen to me and i though something was wrong with the car. Turn out I left the car in park and not off. Apparently the car will not refuel unless turned off.

 

That's good.