Air in the gas tank?

[sentra]

I stopped at a gas station yesterday to fill up my Sentra for the first time in 2 months. It hadn't been driven at all in the two months until a few days ago. The gas guage, which has never had any problems before, indicated that the tank was 3/4 full when i parked it 2 months ago.

Yesterday, with the tank almost half full, i was able to pump about 11 litres of gas when the pump's automatic shut-off triggered, stopping gas supply. Then it would continue shutting off every few seconds. I partially pulled out the nozzle and continued to pump gas slowly while ensuring it does overflow. I kept hearing a gurgling/bubbling sound while the fuel slowly flowed into the gas tank.

In total, i was able to pumnp about 25 litres before i stopped. What do you think might be the problem here?

 

[45ACP]

I can tell you that:

1. If the gas gets hot, then the automatic shut-off was working as intended (you can see and smell the fumes and heat when the cap is released from pressure.) Also,
2. Fueling with the engine running causes some pressure and it is OK to do (i always do) but sometimes the gas can want to "mist out."

I personally believe that filling the tank up full with fuel, not topping off though some do (Once "topped off" a car $5!) will force out any air.

Your car sounds like it is working fine...........

 

[Coprolite]

I have had this problem at certain pumps. I usually use the slowest lock position and don't top off. I also usually get it from the same pump each time. Since I like to rotate brands occasionally, the first time I went to the other brand that I like, your scenario occurred...

In any case, I don't top off as I like to calculate my mileage. I find that sticking to one pump eliminates some of the variability. Mysteriously, my manual figures are within the error margin on the trip computer...

 

[chubbs1]

Topping off is dangerous to the vehicle PERIOD.

The gas you filled (25 ltrs. of it) probably mostly went back to the fuel storage tank at the gas station you used. Canada has very strict emmissions protections and the vapor line on the gas pump, designed to suck in vapors probably sucked in most of that gas too.

I would get your gauges looked at if you think there is a problem.

 

[45ACP]

Originally Posted By: sentra
I stopped at a gas station yesterday to fill up my Sentra for the first time in 2 months. It hadn't been driven at all in the two months until a few days ago. The gas guage, which has never had any problems before, indicated that the tank was 3/4 full when i parked it 2 months ago.

Yesterday, with the tank almost half full, i was able to pump about 11 litres of gas when the pump's automatic shut-off triggered, stopping gas supply. Then it would continue shutting off every few seconds. I partially pulled out the nozzle and continued to pump gas slowly while ensuring it does overflow. I kept hearing a gurgling/bubbling sound while the fuel slowly flowed into the gas tank.

In total, i was able to pumnp about 25 litres before i stopped. What do you think might be the problem here?


Float might have stuck.

See if it gets better after this tank.

 

[expat]

Canada has very strict emmissions protections and the vapor line on the gas pump, designed to suck in vapors probably sucked in most of that gas too.


Funny you say this, I just got back from the states and was again reminded that most pumps in the states have a BELLOWS arrangement around the fuel filler pipe at the gas pump.
I do not see this in Canada, just a metal hose nozzle that you put in the filler hole.

I don't know what the problem is, but some pumps can be real tricky (sensitive) with the fuel shut off, you have to 'baby' the flow lever to fill your tank.

 

[sentra]

Originally Posted By: chubbs1
Topping off is dangerous to the vehicle PERIOD.

The gas you filled (25 ltrs. of it) probably mostly went back to the fuel storage tank at the gas station you used. Canada has very strict emmissions protections and the vapor line on the gas pump, designed to suck in vapors probably sucked in most of that gas too.

I would get your gauges looked at if you think there is a problem.


I have never previously topped off, but did so in this case, if you can call it that, because i knew that the tank couldn't be full after pumping only 11 litres into it, as the fuel guage showed the tank to be half full. And isn't 14 litres a little too much to be considered a "top off"?

Also, i filled up in Washington, just across the border. I have been filling up at the same station for a while now. Moreover, i had positioned the nozzle in such a way that i could see the fuel flow into the gas tank.

 

[sentra]

Originally Posted By: 45ACP


Float might have stuck.

See if it gets better after this tank.


That's what i am thinking now. Hopefully, it will be fine.

 

[Quest]

Try a different gas station/differnt nozzle gun before you jump into conclusions.

Q.

 

[The_Jeff]

There's usually a one way check valve/ anti siphon thing where the filler neck meets the tank. If this gets stuck, it will make your fill miserable.

 

[mechtech2]

Some pumps are way different. Some shut off very early, some hardly ever.
This could be a factor.
And maybe an EVAP vent was stuck from sitting closed for 2 months.

 

[Tegger]

Originally Posted By: expat

Canada has very strict emmissions protections and the vapor line on the gas pump, designed to suck in vapors probably sucked in most of that gas too.

Maybe some provinces have such laws, but Canada does not. The province of Ontario has no vapor-recovery apparatus at all on its pumps; vapors vent to the atmosphere.

Originally Posted By: expat

Funny you say this, I just got back from the states and was again reminded that most pumps in the states have a BELLOWS arrangement around the fuel filler pipe at the gas pump.

Most don`t actually. The bellows is an older arrangement (and an extremely annoying one). Vapor recovery is now usually done by a double-walled metal nozzle and hose, with vacuum applied as you fill. You can tell this type by the ring of holes around the end of the metal fill-nozzle, and the fact that the nozzle`s aluminum appears to be really thick when viewed from the end. And even this is now sort of redundant, considering that all newer cars come with ORVR (On Board Vapor Recovery) as part of their OBD-II EVAP systems.