Prius Refused Gasoline

I've had this problem once before (but filling an empty tank) and I feel like I've heard of others having the problem. The pump kept clicking off right away after starting. I just got frustated and gave up on trying to fill my tank (put in maybe a gallon) and got gas later at a gas station I normally use. I don't know that I've heard of a fix for it--I think it's related to the auto-off sensitivity of the pump at the particular gas station and the way the Prius tank is designed.

 

I have had this problem twice at the same pump at the same station. I think the auto shutoff was set way too sensitive. I also have noted if I have some problems with filling if I pull the nozzle back an inch or so it will work push it all the way in and it will not on some pumps.

 

I Just brought my baby into the shop for this exact problem. The technician said there was nothing wrong with the car. He said he added five gallons (yeah, for free gas) and had no problem. But this exact same thing has happened to me twice now. Has anyone found a solution for this? I filled up today with no problem.... is it my car or the gas pump?

 

This happened to me a couple times when I first got my car. I think the early shutoff occurs when no air is getting into the tank and/or you're filling the tank too fast. Since then, I use the lowest setting, which takes a little longer but doesn't cause early shutoff. I also try not to jam the whole nozzle into the car, allowing some airflow.

 

I think it is all something to do with the fart bag you US guys have got in the gas tank - no bag, no problems here.

 

Often the problem is a doof who was there before you tried to top off his tank and flooded the return vent with gasoline - which then causes havoc with the auto shut-off system . . . pressure builds up quickly and the pump stops. That is one of the reasons they say not to top-off.

I haven’t tried it with a Prius, so I don’t know ifs the clearances will allow: With the nozzle and rubber boot firmly placed in the filler tube, try turning the nozzle upside down and lift the hose to drain the trapped gasoline into your tank. (Free gas!)

If this does not work, try filling with the nozzle in the upside-down position. Some auto shut-offs are touchy.

 

The turning the nozzle upside down and lifting the hose thing always works for me. I find that if I visit all 12 pumps at the local sunoco, I can get about 2 bars for free this way. Enough to get me back and forth to work for a week.

 

this is driving me insane as well, and my version of the Prius doesn't have the "bladder".

I found that holding the pump so that only the tip of it is in the "hole" will let me run the pump at full speed.
just don't slip or it'll get messy.

 

Do you have Vapor Recovery Nozzles in Australia like we have in the USA?



If you do, then holding the nozzle as you described - “so that only the tip of it is in the “hole††- defeats the vapor recovery system. At that point you are polluting more than the Prius will do in burning that entire tank of gas!

The entire length of hose from the pump to the nozzle is two tubes in one. One tube delivers the gasoline, the other returns the displaced vapor back to the pump and underground tank.

Some yahoos, when they overfill their tanks, bleed gasoline back into the vapor recovery tube which blocks free flow of vapors back into the system - pressure then builds up quickly and the auto shutoff trips. The tube needs to be cleared as I described above.

 

no we don't.. but I dont think you fully understand what I meant.. I'll take a photo of the fuel hole point on my prius and show you..

 

Not all of USA has that accordian tube by the way. We don't.

 

Good point DanMan, but accordion tube or not, if there is a vapor recovery system there is a vapor recovery return tube which can be clogged with liquid gasoline.

Some vapor recovery systems have a series of holes around the nozzle which sucks in a greater volume of air than that which is displaced by the volume of gasoline delivered . . . therefor a negative net amount of air (or fumes) escaping from the car into the atmosphere.

 

This has never occured to me yet (well, I have only put gas once...).

Once advice to all of you, do not overfill your tank. Stop when it clicks. We used to overfill our gas tanks in several of our cars ('95 Dodge Van, '98 Camry, '93 Regal) and the gas gauge always broke... Maybe the floater inside can't take it.

Moral of the story, don't overfill.... or maybe a techie can tell us if the Prius has a special gas tank.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(silentak1\";p=\"108325)</div>

Very special and it has been the subject of extensive discussion in this forum.

 

I find it's hard to insert the gas nozle into the fuel tank, there's resistance, then once in, it's also hard to pull it out.
And, what's the purpose of the bladder in U.S. models?

 

I have noticed this problem in other vehicles. I will get a few tenths of a gallon in, then the auto shutoff will trip. Usually when this happens, I have to hold the lever down at its lowest level and very slowly fill the tank (which takes FOREVER on my company's Windstar with its 25 gallon tank). I would guess that the bladder in the US tanks could possibly make the problem more aparent. I will definately try the previous poster's suggestion on fixing it the next time it happens.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sid\";p=\"108352)</div>

The rubber bladder grows and shrinks with the gas remaining in the tank and reduces the amount of gasoline surface that is exposed to air. This reduces evaporative emissions and is necessary for the AT-PZEV rating.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ryogajyc\";p=\"110143)</div>

Thanks.
Here's a follow-up question:
Would it be possible for that bladder to rupture due to overfilling?