Fuel overfilling when filling the tank

[TheFinanceGuy]

Morning Gents,

I've searched around, and haven't found much to help with this issue. When I fill up my tank, the tank overfills. The auto shutoff on the pump never stops.
At first, I thought it was the pumps fault. Second time at a different pump, same station, I thought it was the cars fault.

Most research I have done seems to be torn between the charcoal canister (or LDP), or the fuel tank vent valve (EVAP purge valve).

I don't see what either has to do with knowing when the tank is full. So as to not throw money around, I've come to ask for help.

Myself, and my paint thank you.

[az3579]

The pump stopping when the tank is full is a feature of the gas pump nozzle itself, nothing to do with the car.

Here's a good read on how it works:

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=119483

I'd say bring it up to the gas station owner's attention or go to another gas station.

[TheFinanceGuy]

Test number 3 at a different shop will happen tomorrow morning. Before it overfilled again (being pessimistic here) I thought I would ask.

I find it hard to believe that two different pumps, which have both previously functioned well before, would suddenly fail.

[az3579]

Test number 3 at a different shop will happen tomorrow morning. Before it overfilled again (being pessimistic here) I thought I would ask.

I find it hard to believe that two different pumps, which have both previously functioned well before, would suddenly fail.

I've had that happen before. Two pumps, one station. I'm sure it's a lack of maintenance on their part.

[Johnmadd]

The pump stopping when the tank is full is a feature of the gas pump nozzle itself, nothing to do with the car.

Here's a good read on how it works:

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=119483

I'd say bring it up to the gas station owner's attention or go to another gas station.


I've had that happen before. Two pumps, one station. I'm sure it's a lack of maintenance on their part.

+1

[danewilson77]

This happened to me one time.

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[az3579]

Another thing I've found sometimes is a pump that will stop pumping almost immediately, and requires you to start it again multiple times before it'll continue pumping gas. I think this is also pump related because it doesn't do it everywhere.

[TheFinanceGuy]

Thanks fella's and BP- I'll let you know what happens tomorrow morning when I fuel up. I'll use my second preferred station and see if that is different.

[cakM3]

Patrick, it's happened to me once before. It's related to the pump as BP pointed out.

[WOLFN8TR]

I'm sure it's a lack of maintenance on their part.

X2...

I had this happen before to the point it pressurized my gas tank. Fuel came gushing out all over the place! I went inside to complain and the lady said they don't maintain them as much as they use to and customers complain about it all the time. This is what happens when companies "Do more with less".

[brettbimmer]

Yes, I have had this problem probably a dozen times over 55,000 miles. Was going to post a thread, but kept forgetting to do so. Oddly, it has happened at a variety of stations, all name brand fuels and what appear to be well-kept pumps. Still end up with fuel running down the side of the car. It's pretty bad. Oddly, other BMWS use the same pumps without issue. I'm with you that it doesn't make sense that it's the canister or fuel tank vent... except that the back pressure on a non-functioning bent line could cause a problem with the last bit of air escaping as it's replaced by fuel.

[TheFinanceGuy]

I promised an update-

I fueled up this morning @ 06:22 at a different station. Fuel started to griggle up the filler neck, but, the pump stopped. PHEW! For now, I'm going to HOPE you all are correct and this is a pump issue.

[az3579]

I promised an update-

I fueled up this morning @ 06:22 at a different station. Fuel started to griggle up the filler neck, but, the pump stopped. PHEW! For now, I'm going to HOPE you all are correct and this is a pump issue.

This may sound trivial, but make sure the pump is actually pressed all the way in. In CT, the levers can be latched in, so typically I'd just insert, latch it, and leave it until the pump stops. As a result, sometimes the pump gets pushed out slightly when inserted, depending on the gas station and pump type. Make sure it's sitting fully flush in the filler. If the pump is out a little, then that could potentially mess with its vacuum metering.

[TheFinanceGuy]

This may sound trivial, but make sure the pump is actually pressed all the way in. In CT, the levers can be latched in, so typically I'd just insert, latch it, and leave it until the pump stops. As a result, sometimes the pump gets pushed out slightly when inserted, depending on the gas station and pump type. Make sure it's sitting fully flush in the filler. If the pump is out a little, then that could potentially mess with its vacuum metering.

Totally agree BP. In MA, they just starting putting that little latch in place. Most stations around me don't have them though, so I must sit and hold them in.
Good thinking though. I'm be sure to watch closely.

[billyjack]

I've been to one or two where this happens and it seems to me like the shape of the nozzle makes it difficult to insert completely. Takes some fiddling to keep it from shutting off prematurely and also to keep it from overflowing.

[johnrando]

Whatever happened with this?

[TheFinanceGuy]

well... This past week I have only filled up once. The pump never stopped, but I could hear the fuel bubbling up in the filler neck, so I stopped the pump. This was at the second preferred station.
I took the X5 once this week, and had to fill that up. For giggles, I filled it up at the station that kept overfilling the ZHP and there was no issue. The pump stopped as normal.

So, I still suspect it is something with my car. I just got a yellow oil light today, and am 6k on this oil. I'll probably wait 2-3 weeks then have it changed (400 miles/week) and will have my indy check out the fuel issue.

I will report back tomorrow when I fill up. I won't stop the pump this time....

[330i Lover]

How'd it go?

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[TheFinanceGuy]

Didn't get around to filling up until this morning. Drove the X5 around all weekend.

I heard the fuel in the filler neck, started sweating bullets, looked around, noticed the gas station attendant staring at me, Guy behind me filling his lexus talking to his wife filling her CR-V at the adjacent pump. Next pump over was a guy talking on his cellar phone, while a gentleman exited the station with a coffee in one hand, and a cartoon of cigs in the other.
Still, I clench that fuel pump handle as I braced for impact, shuffling back a bit to avoid fuel on my new shoes. Then I noticed it, one of the laces was longer than the other. Noted: I'll need to fix that once at work.
Then, it happened: my iPhone 5s vibrated, surely alerting me to the fact that my credit card was swiped at a gas station pump with a $100 pre-auth. I'll check later once I re-enter the car.

Oh, right, the pump clicked off just fine. Almost forgot. Added 14.47 gallons of Shell V-Power NITRO+ Premium fuel at $2.89/gallon.

[az3579]

Didn't get around to filling up until this morning. Drove the X5 around all weekend.

I heard the fuel in the filler neck, started sweating bullets, looked around, noticed the gas station attendant staring at me, Guy behind me filling his lexus talking to his wife filling her CR-V at the adjacent pump. Next pump over was a guy talking on his cellar phone, while a gentleman exited the station with a coffee in one hand, and a cartoon of cigs in the other.
Still, I clench that fuel pump handle as I braced for impact, shuffling back a bit to avoid fuel on my new shoes. Then I noticed it, one of the laces was longer than the other. Noted: I'll need to fix that once at work.
Then, it happened: my iPhone 5s vibrated, surely alerting me to the fact that my credit card was swiped at a gas station pump with a $100 pre-auth. I'll check later once I re-enter the car.

Oh, right, the pump clicked off just fine. Almost forgot. Added 14.47 gallons of Shell V-Power NITRO+ Premium fuel at $2.89/gallon.

Well, I would say "See? No sweat!", but that wouldn't be true because you were sweating bullets. :biggrin

[330i Lover]

Any update? I've noticed on multiple occasions the pump will automatically stop prior to the tank being full. Another nuisance is that gasoline ALWAYS spills onto the paint no matter how careful I am with pulling it away. Geez Louise is it frustrating!

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[BMWCurves]

Huh, I've never had either of those issues. The tank fills all the way up and I just do a couple of quick taps of the nozzle on the filler neck as I pull it out and no gas spillage.

Do you fill at one gas station in particular? Maybe their pumps are weird. Try somewhere else if that's the case.

[330i Lover]

I get Kroger gas primarily or Costco if I'm in the area, it seems to happen both places. I've just learned to collect napkins in the glove compartment and use one as I take the nozzle away from the car after filling.

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[az3579]

Shake the nozzle back and forth (in and out) a few times without the nozzle coming out of the hole, then tilt it upwards when removing it to prevent spillage. It works for me every time, even at the really messy pumps.

As perverted as it may look, it works.

[330i Lover]

I'll try that, thx.

[ELCID86]

I tap it then yank it quickly and the drop(s) usually miss the car and hit the asphalt.


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[johnrando]

I alway let it fully drain into the tank, no drops issue.

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[danewilson77]

I alway let it fully drain into the tank, no drops issue.

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I tap it then yank it quickly and the drop(s) usually miss the car and hit the asphalt.


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I use both of these professional techniques.

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[330i Lover]

Shake the nozzle back and forth (in and out) a few times without the nozzle coming out of the hole, then tilt it upwards when removing it to prevent spillage. It works for me every time, even at the really messy pumps.

As perverted as it may look, it works.
I did this yesterday at Costco and no spillage. :) I'll try at the Kroger Fuel pump next time.

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[TheFinanceGuy]

I actually am having the opposite issue now, where my tank doesn't fill all the way. 3 fill ups in a row, at 3 different stations yielded 3/4 full tank. Was strange... Yesterday, it filled the entire way just fine.

I also use the above mentioned methods and have had almost no fuel spill on my car from drops (overfilling is a different story).

[az3579]

I actually am having the opposite issue now, where my tank doesn't fill all the way. 3 fill ups in a row, at 3 different stations yielded 3/4 full tank. Was strange... Yesterday, it filled the entire way just fine.

I also use the above mentioned methods and have had almost no fuel spill on my car from drops (overfilling is a different story).

When I had that problem with my E30, I used to lift up on the nozzle while it was pumping. I don't know why, but that always did the trick, and allowed it to fully fill. I did use different gas stations back then, however, which is probably why I've never had that problem with the ZHP. I typically get gas at the same exact place now every fillup (still different than the station I visited with the E30).

[TheFinanceGuy]

MA only recently allowed the pump clip, and most stations do not have them. I have to hold the pump. I'm too chicken shit to keep filling after the pump clicks off, due to the recent overfilling issues.

[az3579]

MA only recently allowed the pump clip, and most stations do not have them. I have to hold the pump. I'm too chicken shit to keep filling after the pump clicks off, due to the recent overfilling issues.

That drives me crazy when I see folks at the pump trying to get even more gas in there, like 3 or 4 clicks after the first one. I mean come on... it's not like you're getting that last bit for free... and it's probably just vapor anyway at that point. lol

[TheFinanceGuy]

Unless they are just trying to make sure it is full instead of 3/4 full like my car?




HAHA--- giving stupid people the benefit of the doubt. Sorry, who am I kidding?