Why does the gas pump allways click off early for me?

[SteveD2]

First of all, please excuse me if this is a dumb question. I live in Oregon where it is illegal to pump your own gas. I've pumped gas once that I can remember.

Anyway...whenever I fill up my Cherokee, the pump almost allways clicks off after a few gallons. Doesn't matter which station I go to. Then I have to wait for the looser who works there to wonder over and turn it on again.

Why does this happen? It didn't in my last Cherokee. Is there a vent line or something on my tank that might be clogged?

 

[timish]

What I want to know is why you think the guy that works there is a "looser"

Isn't it loser?

 

[ChrisW]

are they using vapor recovery nozzles?

It occasionaly does this on my father's '98 Audi A6.

 

[SteveD2]

quote:

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Originally posted by ChrisW:
are they using vapor recovery nozzles?

It occasionaly does this on my father's '98 Audi A6.

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I have no idea, but most the time I go to a Chevron that's only about a year old, so I'm guessing yes.

 

[55Test]

My old 87 Ford F150 was real bad for clicking off the nozzle. A friend of mine had an 89, his did it also. So does my brother's boss's F150. Something with Ford gastanks perhaps?

 

[michaelc80]

My wifes 96 Cherokee often does the same thing, but it seems like it's only at one local chain. I think it's something about the design of the filler neck vs. the type/brand/style of nozzle that the gas station uses.

It's really annoying when you're not paying attention, and you think you've filled it up only to find that it's not quite 3/4 full when you get back in.

 

[OdinsRageSS]

Put it in all the way, then pull the nozzle out like an inch. works everytime for me. If its not in all the way it works better for cars that are clickers.

 

[SteveD2]

quote:

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Originally posted by OdinsRageSS:
Put it in all the way, then pull the nozzle out like an inch. works everytime for me. If its not in all the way it works better for cars that are clickers.

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Not an option when someone else is pumping the gas.

 

[MNgopher]

Something about the Cherokee fuel filler neck just leads to that problem. My '88 XJ suffers from it too, but it seems to depend on the station. A Sinclair station nearby it always clicks off after about 6 gallons go in. After I start it up again, it goes pretty good until full. I've heard a lot of folks with Cherokees make the same comment. Go figure...

 

[Matt_S]

My experience is that this is heavily dependent on the gas station and sometimes even the particular pump that you use. I was just at a BP yesterday where I had to manually hold the nozzle at a slower rate because it kept clicking off when it set it to pump at full volume. With most stations, though, I don't have that problem. I do understand, though, that some vehicles are more sensitive to this than others.

Most pumps that I've seen have a little lever that will hold the pump nozzle in the "on" position. This lever rests against one of a series of two or three notches in the handle. They usually will set it to the highest speed, of course. You could probably ask them to use the second highest speed notch. It'll take longer to fill, but it shouldn't click off on you.

 

[T-Keith]

quote:

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Originally posted by ZmOz:
I live in Oregon where it is illegal to pump your own gas. I've pumped gas once that I can remember.

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I guess I've never heard of this law before. I thought that full service stations had gone the way of the dinosaur. In MN we have few if any still around. Why the tough legislation? Too many smokers filling their tanks?

Anyway, my wife's does this too, she always has to pump in an extra .5 to 1 gallon to get the gauge to full. I suspected the vent line to the tank.

 

[Whimsey]

My 1996 Contour will shut off if the flow is too fast. Plus with some older design pumps it just won't work either. It has something to do with the safety flap in the filler tube I heard. If I set the nozzle on slow or hand pump the fuel it's usually ok. And yes I live in NJ the only other non self service state for gas. I've never had a problem pumping my own gas. Besides, what gas station owner is going to complain about you providing FREE labor

.

Whimsey

 

[tpi]

That is the weirdest thing about Oregon-otherwise a beautiful state.

My '95 Wrangler is fussy at the pump too, - premature shutoffs. I can live with it because I pump my own fuel.

There have been recalls, TSBs on evaporative systems. You may want to check to see if yours is included. I can think of one specifically re: Mazda Miata which caused difficulty with fueling (premature shutoffs).

 

[drm7]

My brother was in the NE part of our great country when the same thing happened to him. It was illegal to pump your own gas. I believe this is a socialist way to increase employment. By passing such a law each station would have to employ several pump jockeys to take all the shifts. I'm sure the station owner loves the hit to his bottom line. If they tell you it's a safety concern I wouldn't believe it. Propoganda to make us "fall" for the crap they feed us. Just like San Diego with it's red-light cameras. They told the public it was for safety until some lawyer subpoenaed documents to prove it was for revenue.

 

[ted_sweet]

same law is still around in NJ

quote:

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Originally posted by T-Keith:

quote:

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Originally posted by ZmOz:
I live in Oregon where it is illegal to pump your own gas. I've pumped gas once that I can remember.

---

I guess I've never heard of this law before. I thought that full service stations had gone the way of the dinosaur. In MN we have few if any still around. Why the tough legislation? Too many smokers filling their tanks?

Anyway, my wife's does this too, she always has to pump in an extra .5 to 1 gallon to get the gauge to full. I suspected the vent line to the tank.

---

 

[SteveD2]

So what exactly causes the pump to turn off? Is it the air coming out of the tank? Might I be able to modify my filler neck to help the problem?

 

[ekpolk]

quote:

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Originally posted by T-Keith:

quote:

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Originally posted by ZmOz:
I live in Oregon where it is illegal to pump your own gas. I've pumped gas once that I can remember.

---

I guess I've never heard of this law before. I thought that full service stations had gone the way of the dinosaur. In MN we have few if any still around. Why the tough legislation? Too many smokers filling their tanks?

Anyway, my wife's does this too, she always has to pump in an extra .5 to 1 gallon to get the gauge to full. I suspected the vent line to the tank.

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Yes, this is for real. A little over a month ago, I spent a week up in Oregon on business. I hopped out of our rental SUV and started to pump some gas, as I always do in LA and FL where I spend the vast majority of my time. A freaked out pump jockey kid came running out waving his hands and generally overstressing about my starting the pump. Wearing the most serious expression I've ever seen on the other side of a wall of zits, the kid told me that both of us could face criminal charges if I the cops saw me pumping my own gas. I couldn't believe it either, but apparently it's true, pumping your own gas is a crime in Oregon. Oh, and I have no idea why your car causes the pump to trip off early, but I can, especially now, understand your frustration.

 

[chas3]

quote:

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Originally posted by ZmOz:
I live in Oregon where it is illegal to pump your own gas.

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same for new jersey. stopped to get gas there once. the attendant came over to me while i was getting ready to pump gas (i thought it was odd he was wandering around the station) and said "you aren't from around here are you"

when i get one of these glitchy vapor recovery fillers (i have had the problem with both my gm and chrysler) i try to hold the nozzle centered (the weight of the nozzle will typically angle the end near the sides of the filler tube) and if necessary only pull the handle halfway. you can wedge some unimportant fingers (like the pinky and ring) under the handle to act as spacers.

i am under the impression that the auto shutoff feature is looking for back pressure. auto shutoff doesnt rely on vapor recovery as far as i know.

 

[Ray H]

The Oregon law goes WAY back. I was born in late 1945. When I was a small kid the family packed up and went to Tigard (outside of Portland) to visit my dad's brother and his family in our '49 Ford Tudor. (two guesses how many doors it had...) When we pulled into Portland, Dad decided to top off. Sure enough, the stereotyped zit-faced pump jockey, magazine foldout fluttering in the breeze, with pants bulging and all, came running out totally stressed at my felonious dad's total lack of concern for the welfare of Oregon's innocent forest creatures. (Not sure what the kid was reading, but the forest creature depicted in the foldout had a dear face and a bare...

)

 

[BlazerLT]

Sounds like the vent check valve is plugged closed.

It allows the displaced air in the fuel tank to leave while the fuel takes its place.