Can't fill gas tank :(

[n00bMeiSter]

So on my way to wings Thursday night, I had one hell of a time trying to fill my tank, and it happened again yesterday.
Here's the story:

I open my tank up like usual, and stick the nozzle in (no homo). Select my brand and start to pump. Everything is fine, for about 10 seconds (or $2-$3 whichever comes first). And then the pump makes that clunk sound as if the tank is full. Now I know there's no way the tank is full because my meter is almost at empty and I've been driving for 3-4 days (I usually fill up every 4-5 days).
Now, when I first got the car, I had a similar problem to this (but not quite as bad). It went away, and came back for like 2 days when the weather started to get cold and then it was fine all winter long.

Now, however, things are worse. Before it would get to $7-$10 before stopping, now it gets to maybe $3 if I'm lucky. And then from there it stops every dollar or half dollar, sometimes every 20cents. By the time it starts doing this, gas comes splashing out when it stops (rather violently I might add, it got my pants once).

I've tried placing the nozzle in different positions, at different lengths into the filler, and nothing seems to make a difference. (no homo)

I've not noticed any leaking, either on my driveway or at the pump.

Any idea what could be causing this?

Any and all help is much appreciated.

[Direct Mazda Service]

try filling the tank next time with the pump not all the way in, sounds like a air blockage, when the pump senses pressure back up the filler neck it shuts off automatically.

[n00bMeiSter]

try filling the tank next time with the pump not all the way in, sounds like a air blockage, when the pump senses pressure back up the filler neck it shuts off automatically.

That's what I'm saying, I tried everything, I even went as far as to only insert it about 1-2cm. And it still didn't work :(

[Direct Mazda Service]

I think you have a problem with the filler neck itself, there is a skinny metal pipe that runs up along side of the filler neck that allows the pressure in the tank to vent back into the top of the neck where you stick the fuel pump in. I beleive it's past the flap in the filler neck so you won't be able to see it. It might be blocked. Next step would be to see if the charcoal canister is plugged.

[n00bMeiSter]

Next step would be to see if the charcoal canister is plugged.

How would I go about doing that?

[Hyperion]

Oh wow. I thought you said the pump was broken.
Now it's gunna end up cost you money :/ Good luck with this.

[Direct Mazda Service]

it's under by the gas tank, not an easy thing to remove especially if you are doing it on the ground. It you try it be careful not to brake the clip style connectors.

[RTEnthusiast]

That's what I'm saying, I tried everything, I even went as far as to only insert it about 1-2cm. And it still didn't work :(

http://www.silversevens.com/images/thatswhatshesaid.jpg

Also, I think it's the filler neck.

[CanSpeed 3]

charcoal canister 100%

My dads 3 just had the same problem. I hope mine doesnt go aswell. $200 for the canister and over 3 hours labour. I laughed and installed it myself :P

[n00bMeiSter]

So here's a fun bit, I just filled up at a Canadian Tire station and it worked perfectly, all the way to $51 without any problems ......
oy vey....



Oh wow. I thought you said the pump was broken.
Now it's gunna end up cost you money :/ Good luck with this.

I figured it had to be the pump because I filled up fine earlier that day or the day before and had no issues.



http://www.silversevens.com/images/thatswhatshesaid.jpg

I was wondering how long until someone posted one of those lol



charcoal canister 100%

My dads 3 just had the same problem. I hope mine doesnt go aswell. $200 for the canister and over 3 hours labour. I laughed and installed it myself :P

Well that's a bummer :/
Would I be able to interest you in installing mine? I'll buy you some beer or something.

[CxiV]

have the exact same problem with mine! worst thing when its -26 outside and it stops every 2litres ... :( anybody have a write up on how to do this or is it just a simple swap?

[silverstarmazda]

you can either PM the people above that have done it or you can take it to a shop if you dont feel comfortable working with a highly flammable (and potentially explosive) work area of the car.

[Zotaga]

Mine does this to.. the solution is simple.. pull the nozzle out a bit and lift up.. then start pumping.. it'll go to a full tank without stopping.. it's stupid that you have to do that but it is what it is.


So on my way to wings Thursday night, I had one hell of a time trying to fill my tank, and it happened again yesterday.
Here's the story:

I open my tank up like usual, and stick the nozzle in (no homo). Select my brand and start to pump. Everything is fine, for about 10 seconds (or $2-$3 whichever comes first). And then the pump makes that clunk sound as if the tank is full. Now I know there's no way the tank is full because my meter is almost at empty and I've been driving for 3-4 days (I usually fill up every 4-5 days).
Now, when I first got the car, I had a similar problem to this (but not quite as bad). It went away, and came back for like 2 days when the weather started to get cold and then it was fine all winter long.

Now, however, things are worse. Before it would get to $7-$10 before stopping, now it gets to maybe $3 if I'm lucky. And then from there it stops every dollar or half dollar, sometimes every 20cents. By the time it starts doing this, gas comes splashing out when it stops (rather violently I might add, it got my pants once).

I've tried placing the nozzle in different positions, at different lengths into the filler, and nothing seems to make a difference. (no homo)

I've not noticed any leaking, either on my driveway or at the pump.

Any idea what could be causing this?

Any and all help is much appreciated.

[silverstarmazda]

Mine does this to.. the solution is simple.. pull the nozzle out a bit and lift up.. then start pumping.. it'll go to a full tank without stopping.. it's stupid that you have to do that but it is what it is.

some members are bumping into a more serious symptom and even this didnt work. this rarely happens to me and what you did worked for me

[Zotaga]

some members are bumping into a more serious symptom and even this didnt work. this rarely happens to me and what you did worked for me

Lol. It's because not everything requires money to fix. It's an annoyance but it's manageable.

[silverstarmazda]

Lol. It's because not everything requires money to fix. It's an annoyance but it's manageable.

the symptoms the members above are experiencing are not very manageable and is a full out problem that needs to be addressed by a repair. for very subtle cases and rare occurrences, you can get away with your method of not inserting the nozzle all the way.

[Zotaga]

From everything I read, it is very manageable. You don't need to insert the nozzle the entire way.. it's not like you'll overfill the tank and it'll spill out.. unless you are really handicap and lack common sense..


the symptoms the members above are experiencing are not very manageable and is a full out problem that needs to be addressed by a repair. for very subtle cases and rare occurrences, you can get away with your method of not inserting the nozzle all the way.

[silverstarmazda]

i suggest you read this entire thread from top to bottom. the problem here is no longer just an annoyance, but an actual problem that needs to be addressed with a repair.

just a short, heres what the problem is:
- while filling up fuel, the pump will stop repeatedly.
- changing nozzle position/length does not alleviate the problem.
- gasoline splashes out violently out the filler hole causing a health and safety hazard
- there is no noticeable leak in the system
- fuel is spilling out before the fuel tank is anywhere near full

so far on this thread the problem has be diagnosed/confirmed by a dealer and members to be related to A)filler neck B) charcoal canister. this problem is also very common among other vehicles and there have been several cases of recalls. so unless you are really handicapped and lack common sense,this problem should be fixed properly instead of trying to manage it.

[ryan2.3]

Pulling it out doesn't work. I had this happen over the christmas break and once in the summer. i had over filled it previously (i have to stop doing that, but it's easier to keep track of gas fillups with a round number on my card history since sometimes the labels don't indicate gas). The air vent was full of fuel so it kept stopping, because it was thinking it was full since the air had nowhere to go. once i pulled the cap off and cycled the engine a few times like that, it worked fine. That was the summer, fast forward to this past christmas, I was driving christmas day and because of where i was, all the gas stations were closed, so i just pushed it til i got home (did about 100km on the light). was tired so figured i'd fill it the next day. But because it was so low i'm guessing there was some water that froze and blocked the air return since i was having the same backing up issue. Ended up putting my car in the garage with a heater pointed towards my filler neck and tank with the wheel off. Warmed it up nicely then cycled the engine a bunch, went to fill it up and it worked. I don't usually let it go below a quarter, but those times i was pressed for time and wasn't able to stop for gas, so i had to push it.

given how cold it is, you probably have a similar issue. are you low on gas?

hope that helps

[Zotaga]

And as I stated, I have the exact same problem.. It's rectified by pulling the nozzle out a bit and LIFTING while you pump.. then the pump won't stop.

Most people that say it doesn't work are just pulling the nozzle out a bit and that's it.. I found if you do that, it won't work.. lifting is the key..

Sure it's not ideal but there is absolutely nothing wrong with the car.. why waste money to fix something that doesn't need fixing..

I've never seen anyone have "gasoline splash out violently" lol.. what does the gasoline do to you? Does it jump out and box you? Does it try and stick you? Is it a gasoline gremlin?


i suggest you read this entire thread from top to bottom. the problem here is no longer just an annoyance, but an actual problem that needs to be addressed with a repair.

just a short, heres what the problem is:
- while filling up fuel, the pump will stop repeatedly.
- changing nozzle position/length does not alleviate the problem.
- gasoline splashes out violently out the filler hole causing a health and safety hazard
- there is no noticeable leak in the system
- fuel is spilling out before the fuel tank is anywhere near full

so far on this thread the problem has be diagnosed/confirmed by a dealer and members to be related to A)filler neck B) charcoal canister. this problem is also very common among other vehicles and there have been several cases of recalls. so unless you are really handicapped and lack common sense,this problem should be fixed properly instead of trying to manage it.

[CxiV]

And as I stated, I have the exact same problem.. It's rectified by pulling the nozzle out a bit and LIFTING while you pump.. then the pump won't stop.


Sure it's not ideal but there is absolutely nothing wrong with the car.. why waste money to fix something that doesn't need fixing..

I've never seen anyone have "gasoline splash out violently" lol.. what does the gasoline do to you? Does it jump out and box you? Does it try and stick you? Is it a gasoline gremlin?


Alright well you'll find out when you are wearing some nice pants some time lol

Tried pulling out the nozzle almost all the way out, and lifting, and sideways.. gives me an extra few seconds but still stops.

My issue is not only not being to fill up in one shot, but i also have to go for my emissions this month, and I believe this might have something to do with evap & possibly failing the test as ive been doing some resding.

[geobur]

And as I stated, I have the exact same problem.. It's rectified by pulling the nozzle out a bit and LIFTING while you pump.. then the pump won't stop.

Most people that say it doesn't work are just pulling the nozzle out a bit and that's it.. I found if you do that, it won't work.. lifting is the key..

Sure it's not ideal but there is absolutely nothing wrong with the car.. why waste money to fix something that doesn't need fixing..

I've never seen anyone have "gasoline splash out violently" lol.. what does the gasoline do to you? Does it jump out and box you? Does it try and stick you? Is it a gasoline gremlin?

are you normally this thick? or just intentionally stupid? The OP and multiple other posters have said they tried "EVERYTHING" they have said pulling the nozzle out does nothing. :AH

How about instead of being intentionally contradictory and argumentative you either put up or shut up? If you don't have something useful to add to this thread to help with the OP or the other people with this issue, the Effin Post Whore thread is open...how bout you go there
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?14592-It-s-the-Effing-Friday-Thread!!-Post-Whores-Live-Here!&p=1155066#post1155066

:bot

[Zotaga]

I always wear nice pants; I'm a mof'ing baller driving a Mazda3 lol jk

If you need emissions codes rear, ask one of the guys on here with an ELM OBD2 adapter + Torque app. It'll do the emissions for you for FREEEE (at least that's what people have told me.. I haven't quite figured out mine yet as two of the options still say "incomplete".. not sure how long it takes to do a full test)

As for the pumping issue, if pulling out an inch and lifting up on the pumping mechanism doesn't work then I guess you're stuck with the suggestions on here.. I'm just going off my experience and that's what works for me every time. It's a small inconvenience but I'd rather do that then waste 3 hours replacing the canister.


Alright well you'll find out when you are wearing some nice pants some time lol

Tried pulling out the nozzle almost all the way out, and lifting, and sideways.. gives me an extra few seconds but still stops.

My issue is not only not being to fill up in one shot, but i also have to go for my emissions this month, and I believe this might have something to do with evap & possibly failing the test as ive been doing some resding.

[silverstarmazda]

And as I stated, I have the exact same problem.. It's rectified by pulling the nozzle out a bit and LIFTING while you pump.. then the pump won't stop.

Most people that say it doesn't work are just pulling the nozzle out a bit and that's it.. I found if you do that, it won't work.. lifting is the key..

Sure it's not ideal but there is absolutely nothing wrong with the car.. why waste money to fix something that doesn't need fixing..

I've never seen anyone have "gasoline splash out violently" lol.. what does the gasoline do to you? Does it jump out and box you? Does it try and stick you? Is it a gasoline gremlin?

i dont think your understanding what happening here...what you have is not what these people are experiencing.

as stated by other members, adjusting the nozzle to ANY position is not working. gasoline is spilling out and the gasoline is being pushed out of the hole. this is because there IS a problem in the system and need to be treated as such. this also seems to be an intermittent problem so people ignore it after the symptoms are no longer there. however, if the problems persist then a repair is a must.

you obviously dont know the hazards of gasoline or you would know that its no good if your directly exposed to it for a period of time. gasoline is an irritant and can cause burns to the skin. it then evaporates into vapors which destroys cells and eats away at the internal mebrane of the respiratory system. on top of that, gasoline vapors are highly explosive and can be ignited with ease.

let me show you what its like having gasoline come gushing out

http://youtu.be/THqrwNWxO5I?t=3m15s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atWRd5pa-Ao

http://youtu.be/fS5U63CN-II?t=1m5s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ8by8tOZjQ

[Thrizzl3]

Lol at this argument...

[CxiV]

I always wear nice pants; I'm a mof'ing baller driving a Mazda3 lol jk

If you need emissions codes rear, ask one of the guys on here with an ELM OBD2 adapter + Torque app. It'll do the emissions for you for FREEEE (at least that's what people have told me.. I haven't quite figured out mine yet as two of the options still say "incomplete".. not sure how long it takes to do a full test)

As for the pumping issue, if pulling out an inch and lifting up on the pumping mechanism doesn't work then I guess you're stuck with the suggestions on here.. I'm just going off my experience and that's what works for me every time. It's a small inconvenience but I'd rather do that then waste 3 hours replacing the canister.

I have both the ELM & the app, already checked out my codes and I did have an evap .
The obd doesn't do the emission test for you, and even if you erase the codes they will come up, and also if it's complete thats a fail too lol :P
I think they have something a bit different than that.
And I had an incomplete one too, went on the highway for 140kms yesterday and still nothing showed up. soo therefore gotta fix the issue in the system.

[Zotaga]

Yes, I am extremely thick and stupid because I know how to pump gas. Damn all those stupid people that don't have gasoline splash back at them violently. No one f'ing said to pull the nozzle out completely or almost completely.. you insert fully and then pull it back by an inch and lift up.. that's it.. it's not hard.. I know other people that this happened to and they've all done it successfully.. even a poster on here has done it successfully.. it's not rocket science bro..

Where do you work? Canadian Tire? Are you one of those guys that tells everyone to repair their entire f'ing car because minor inconveniences? Like get real bro..

I'm not saying it's the only solution but all I've seen is posters saying they pulled out and pumped, or lifted and pumped.. but not a combo of the two. That's the point I was trying to re-iterate.. if it doesn't work for them then it doesn't work.. all they have to say is that they tried that exact method..

:No Homo Smiley


are you normally this thick? or just intentionally stupid? The OP and multiple other posters have said they tried "EVERYTHING" they have said pulling the nozzle out does nothing. :AH

How about instead of being intentionally contradictory and argumentative you either put up or shut up? If you don't have something useful to add to this thread to help with the OP or the other people with this issue, the Effin Post Whore thread is open...how bout you go there
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?14592-It-s-the-Effing-Friday-Thread!!-Post-Whores-Live-Here!&p=1155066#post1155066

:bot

[Zotaga]

I've tried to pull codes on my app but it doesn't work.. everytime it says processing but then nothing shows up. Would that be because I have no codes? Or is the app glitched?


I have both the ELM & the app, already checked out my codes and I did have an evap .
The obd doesn't do the emission test for you, and even if you erase the codes they will come up, and also if it's complete thats a fail too lol :P
I think they have something a bit different than that.
And I had an incomplete one too, went on the highway for 140kms yesterday and still nothing showed up. soo therefore gotta fix the issue in the system.

[CxiV]

I've tried to pull codes on my app but it doesn't work.. everytime it says processing but then nothing shows up. Would that be because I have no codes? Or is the app glitched?

actually I had dashcommand not the torque. err that im not sure. it usually shows that there's 0 codes if there are none, and if its incomplete itll say that.

[Zotaga]

1st video that shouldn't happen but he does have a dent in his car near the tank.. could've been in an accident that f'ed something up?
2nd video she does it to herself.. she pulls it out before clicker goes and it spills out.. no idea why she keeps moving it in and out.. it's like she's making love to it.

But I can see the problem.. if it's the same as the 1st video then I agree, that is pretty problematic. Mine definitely doesn't do that..

Mine only stops when I insert the nozzle completely and I have to jostle it and be creative to make it work.

Thanks for the clarification.



i dont think your understanding what happening here...what you have is not what these people are experiencing.

as stated by other members, adjusting the nozzle to ANY position is not working. gasoline is spilling out and the gasoline is being pushed out of the hole. this is because there IS a problem in the system and need to be treated as such. this also seems to be an intermittent problem so people ignore it after the symptoms are no longer there. however, if the problems persist then a repair is a must.

you obviously dont know the hazards of gasoline or you would know that its no good if your directly exposed to it for a period of time. gasoline is an irritant and can cause burns to the skin. it then evaporates into vapors which destroys cells and eats away at the internal mebrane of the respiratory system. on top of that, gasoline vapors are highly explosive and can be ignited with ease.

let me show you what its like having gasoline come gushing out

http://youtu.be/THqrwNWxO5I?t=3m15s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atWRd5pa-Ao

http://youtu.be/fS5U63CN-II?t=1m5s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ8by8tOZjQ

[Zotaga]

Is that available for the iPhone to or just Android?


actually I had dashcommand not the torque. err that im not sure. it usually shows that there's 0 codes if there are none, and if its incomplete itll say that.

[CxiV]

Is that available for the iPhone to or just Android?

both ,just look it up

[Zotaga]

I'd have to get a wifi adapter for it with my iPhone :\ The bluetooth won't sync with the ELM adapter.

It looks pretty good though; curious which one's more accurate. I'll compare and re-post the data later on.


both ,just look it up

[ryan2.3]

When i had my issue, i tried pulling outward as i pumped and you can hear and tell that it was only filling up a neck worth at a time. If i pulled too far or tried to push through, it would start to overflow, but not crazy-like like in those videos. Cycle your engine with the gas cap off several times and then give it a go. Worst case, it doesn't work and you're no worse off



I've tried to pull codes on my app but it doesn't work.. everytime it says processing but then nothing shows up. Would that be because I have no codes? Or is the app glitched?

If you have no codes it'll say no codes.

[Zotaga]

I have the free version to so I was thinking maybe that's why.. it's kinda glitchy to as the buttons sometimes don't work. Not sure if the Pro is any better or if I just have a POS tablet.


When i had my issue, i tried pulling outward as i pumped and you can hear and tell that it was only filling up a neck worth at a time. If i pulled too far or tried to push through, it would start to overflow, but not crazy-like like in those videos. Cycle your engine with the gas cap off several times and then give it a go. Worst case, it doesn't work and you're no worse off




If you have no codes it'll say no codes.

[silverstarmazda]

im trying to say that if this is a reoccurring problem that isnt being "fixed" by your method of jerking off the nozzle. theres a problem somewhere in the system that needs to get get fixed. no i do not work at canadian tire but i am a firm believer of fixing something thats wrong.

yes, in the second video it does show her playing around with it after and during pumping. but the amount she moves it should not be able to cause the spillage in that video. the videos i posted are just to show you how violent gasoline can come out when it does.

OP of this thread said they tried every method of inserting the nozzle (pulling, lifting, turning, etc) and had no luck. his problem simply went away by itself later. mine rarely happens now but it would stop at a random number and i would readjust and keep pumping no problem (like you said)

the problems here is that people are running into this problem very often and on some cases gasoline is being spilled out. if this keeps happening all the time, what would you do? ignore the problem and keep jostling the nozzle? would you hope itll go away the next time it you fill up?

no, you "get real", find the cause and fix the problem.

[geobur]

I've tried placing the nozzle in different positions, at different lengths into the filler, and nothing seems to make a difference.


That's what I'm saying, I tried everything, I even went as far as to only insert it about 1-2cm. And it still didn't work :(


I'm not saying it's the only solution but all I've seen is posters saying they pulled out and pumped, or lifted and pumped.. but not a combo of the two. That's the point I was trying to re-iterate.. if it doesn't work for them then it doesn't work.. all they have to say is that they tried that exact method..

:bang


1st video that shouldn't happen but he does have a dent in his car near the tank.. could've been in an accident that f'ed something up?
2nd video she does it to herself.. she pulls it out before clicker goes and it spills out.. no idea why she keeps moving it in and out.. it's like she's making love to it.

But I can see the problem.. if it's the same as the 1st video then I agree, that is pretty problematic. Mine definitely doesn't do that..

Mine only stops when I insert the nozzle completely and I have to jostle it and be creative to make it work.

Thanks for the clarification.

oh now we get it. All it took was a video, plain english obviously wasn't enough to explain this same thing.

As a matter of fact "bro" no I don't work at Canadian Tire.

I will "like get real", it is fine fine after several people try to explain their problem, and the steps they have tried to do to correct it, and you mention what you did that made it work, and suggest they try it.
It is a much different matter entirely when you continue to insist (not knowing the full details or being there to see) and basically telling them they are dumb and they aren't doing it right...not once, not twice, not even three times but 4 or 5...after multiple people tried to point out to you that they had tried that, and that their problem was more severe than what you experienced.

[Zotaga]

When your car is puking gas, that's a sign that it doesn't like you.. it's telling you it doesn't want you driving it anymore.. lol.. reminds me of Herby the VW.


im trying to say that if this is a reoccurring problem that isnt being "fixed" by your method of jerking off the nozzle. theres a problem somewhere in the system that needs to get get fixed. no i do not work at canadian tire but i am a firm believer of fixing something thats wrong.

yes, in the second video it does show her playing around with it after and during pumping. but the amount she moves it should not be able to cause the spillage in that video. the videos i posted are just to show you how violent gasoline can come out when it does.

OP of this thread said they tried every method of inserting the nozzle (pulling, lifting, turning, etc) and had no luck. his problem simply went away by itself later. mine rarely happens now but it would stop at a random number and i would readjust and keep pumping no problem (like you said)

the problems here is that people are running into this problem very often and on some cases gasoline is being spilled out. if this keeps happening all the time, what would you do? ignore the problem and keep jostling the nozzle? would you hope itll go away the next time it you fill up?

no, you "get real", find the cause and fix the problem.

[Aitch]

All right I think everyone has had their say.