Filling gas tank triggers nozzle shut off

[JWaldz]

Old thread but I guess I'll give my .02... I think the problem is the station pumps the gas so fast sometimes the gas gets clogged in filler neck and backs up, which then the sensor on the nozzle tells it to shut off. It just doesn't get a chance to smoothly flow through. Sometimes it does it, sometimes it doesn't. I find it helpful that when I start filling up a gradually make it go faster instead if immediately pulling the handle all the way back.

 

[bass-o-matic]

Healed itself

You know. It only happens in one town. Blanco Texas... so I'm wondering if it has to do with the local stations and their equipment? I just use the Shell by my house and never have an issue. I don't think, at least for me, that it's a problem with my 4runner.

Cheers

 

[Randyman...]

I also experience this from time to time across many different vehicles and seems to vary by gas pump - but my 13 T4R seems more susceptible.

I also seem to observe that pulling out the nozzle an inch or so seems to alleviate the issue. Seems like the pump is sensing too much fuel vapor and thinks the tank is already full - pulling out the nozzle seems to allow fresh air to dilute the vapor and prevents pre-mature pump shut-off (better than the opposite of returning to your truck with gas pouring out of the filler neck!). Go figure...

 

[theoaker]

My 2002 4runner started the same thing. I tried different position with the nozzle and tried different gas stations. Still the same thing. I looking for answeres.

 

[Broker]

I had kind of the same problem with my 02. When filling up it would just fill the filler neck and then shut off the pump. Wait a few seconds and fluid level would drop. The issue I had with mine is that the inner lining on my filler neck melted shut some how and wouldn't allow fluid thru the filler neck very fast. I ended up having to replace my filler neck, no more issues two years later.
Here is a picture of the where the lining melted shut on me.

 

[theoaker]

I took mine to the car wash. I sprawed underneath the fenders and body. Problem solved. Takes gas like it should.

 

[tangentspace]

I actually took my 4 runner to the dealer to try fixing this problem, so far they can't find anything.

 

[bass-o-matic]

hi Again Must solve this one

Hi. This is getting to the point where I have to fix it. I've been reading a few other threads.

Question: Is there anywhere that the Vapor Canister or any part of the fuel/emissions control system vents to the outside air? That could get clogged by dirt/bugs/anything?

Someone made a comment that washing underneath the car dislodged something and it worked again.

Thanks

 

[jsukey]

I have thoroughly read about, and experienced the same issue. We found that the issue was with the vapor canister, and what led to the issue was topping off the tank after the pump shut itself off. The overflowing fuel will find it's way down to the canister through the vent line. I learned my lesson on my '02. I always topped it off, and started having the issue around 120,000 miles. My '00 is now sitting at just over 280,000 miles, and is just fine.

 

[bass-o-matic]

That's it!!!!

I have thoroughly read about, and experienced the same issue. We found that the issue was with the vapor canister, and what led to the issue was topping off the tank after the pump shut itself off. The overflowing fuel will find it's way down to the canister through the vent line. I learned my lesson on my '02. I always topped it off, and started having the issue around 120,000 miles. My '00 is now sitting at just over 280,000 miles, and is just fine.

:bravo: :bravo: :bravo:


Now that makes the most sense of anything I've heard. I started topping off because I wanted to squeeze every mile out of my range when towing. So the fix is the replace the Vapor Canister and then don't top off in the future?

 

[jsukey]

:bravo: :bravo: :bravo:


Now that makes the most sense of anything I've heard. I started topping off because I wanted to squeeze every mile out of my range when towing. So the fix is the replace the Vapor Canister and then don't top off in the future?

Bingo!

 

[T4topher]

The thing that gets me is this happens to me all the time and I never ever top off because I’ve heard about the evap canister thing.. this happens to me on my 2016 Scion tC, 2015 Chevy 1500, 2000 4runner, 2014 Mini Cooper.. it doesn’t always happen but occasionally like last night I was filling my tc and it clicked at 5$ then 10$ then I held it by hand and it went to 30$ but when I started my car it was like 1/8 of a tank short.. not sure if it’s the pumps or what.. I only use chevron, shell if it’s an emergency. Super ocd lol.

 

[WWRD99]

:bravo: :bravo: :bravo:


Now that makes the most sense of anything I've heard. I started topping off because I wanted to squeeze every mile out of my range when towing. So the fix is the replace the Vapor Canister and then don't top off in the future?

You can find out if you actually need the canister by removing the hose coming from the tank up to it, then try and fill it...you can take the canister out and shake it and see if any charcoal comes out or gas,,vapor smell is normal,,if that doesn't work I'd go to the tank and remove the charcoal hose there...that hose might be hooked to a roll over valve that could be stuck too but that I'm not sure of...if that doesn't work you might have a filler hose issue which you'd have to remove it or get one of those cameras that hook to your phone and look in there...endoscopy!!..this stuff isn't to hard but will take some time to sort out....btw I top mine off after 10 clicks or so...stuff it full...with the canister being under the hood it would take a nose dive to get it full of gas,,,or a bad evap valve.

 

[jsukey]

Before I suggested the evap canister, I should have asked...is yours throwing a check engine light? If the canister is your problem, then more than likely you would be. WWRD99 is right...the issue could be at the tank. There is a vent tube around there that runs pretty close to the factory exhaust. Make sure it hasn't melted. Some other owners have had this same issue, and found their issue there. The rollover check valve could be the problem as well. I believe the fuel tank has to be dropped to access that though...I could be wrong though.

 

[Buckaroo]

Solved this issue on a Corolla a while back - small plastic cap from fuel injector cleaner bottle had apparently been dropped into the gas tank fill tube opening and was lodged at the point where the tube enters the tank. Found it when I removed the tube where it enters the tank.

Buckaroo

 

[gamefreakgc]

:bravo: :bravo: :bravo:


Now that makes the most sense of anything I've heard. I started topping off because I wanted to squeeze every mile out of my range when towing. So the fix is the replace the Vapor Canister and then don't top off in the future?

Yes. In either 2000 or 2001, can't remember which one, they moved the charcoal canister from the engine bay to under the vehicle near the spare tire well. When it was in the engine bay, topping off the tank wasn't a big deal since the charcoal canister (which is supposed to only filter fuel vapors, not liquid) is above the tank. However, for your 2002, it's mounted BELOW the fuel neck so if it's over filled, that canister will fill with fuel.

Unfortunately, they cost roughly $400 new. You can find used ones on Ebay in the $120 to $150 range. And they are a bit of a contortionist act to remove, there's some clips and hoses that are tucked in the frame at very odd angles. I had to remove one once off a 2002 and it was a struggle.

 

[UNDEB]

A few miles after topping off my 2002 it would throw check engine codes (P0446). As others have stated, not topping off and turning the nozzle upside down has prevented any engine codes, and start/stop fueling issues.

 

[MaineRunna]

Even though 01 and 02 4runners are technically 3rd gen, they are a lot more like 4th gen in some ways. Right around 2000 most manufacturers added on- board vapor recovery to the EVAP system. Before that the air in the fuel tank that was being displaced by the incoming fuel would vent through a check valve in the top of the tank and back up the half inch or so tube that runs along side the fuel filler pipe and out a small hole at the top of the filler neck. Very simple system. That's why the gas pumps had or have in some states the bellows on the filler nozzle. It was there to recover the gas fumes coming out of that vent. Now with on-board recovery those gas fumes venting out of the tank while filling are captured by the EVAP system. It is a much more complicated system, with a lot more hoses, a liquid/vapor separator, etc. It does vent gas vapor from filling the tank into the charcoal canister and if you top off you will get liquid gas on the vapor side of the system and into the canister. The most likely causes of your problem are the canister, the rollover valve, damage to the hoses/tubes or a restriction in your filler pipe.

 

[3bears]

I have a 2000 and im pretty sure my canister is in the driver side front wheel well. ( I think I saw it there)
I only have had the problem one time with slow fill easy shut off and it was because of the pump. Like mentioned below, the guy turned the nozzle upside down and then it worked fine

 

[TheDurk]

I have a 2000 and im pretty sure my canister is in the driver side front wheel well. ( I think I saw it there)
I only have had the problem one time with slow fill easy shut off and it was because of the pump. Like mentioned below, the guy turned the nozzle upside down and then it worked fine

That's the vacuum reservoir for the ADD system.