Am I being special?

kash786 · 10 Apr 2013 at 20:08

I don't mind admitting when i'm being a bit dim but can someone tell me what I'm doing wrong?

Why is it that when I'm filling up at the fuel station, the nozzle automatically clicks off?, repeatedley, driving me nuts! It's not as if my fuel tank is anywhere near full, it's usually when I've just started filling up!

Is there some kind of vapor lock? Is there air in the line? Is there anything I can do to correct the problem whilst using the pump?

Housey · 10 Apr 2013 at 20:13

Could be a vapour lock, my RS4 had this problem for a bit and it seemed to sort itself in the end but it was annoying.

Adam · 10 Apr 2013 at 20:24

Hold the pump half way in rather than fully pressed, that hound sort it. The rate of fuel coming out will be the same.

Bromhead · 10 Apr 2013 at 20:29

I have this exact same issue kash. Clicks off, doesn't matter if it's nearly empty even. Only thing I do is hold the trigger half way so it doesn't click off. It is quite annoying

kash786 · 10 Apr 2013 at 20:35

I usually do as what you've all suggested (hold trigger half way) but today was terrible, that didn't even work, it literally took me over 5 minutes to get £20 worth of fuel in, I gave up in the end!

alexisonfire · 10 Apr 2013 at 20:36

Get this too, but only at one pump in one station, so i think it might be the pump!

JustBen · 10 Apr 2013 at 21:19

used to get this on my alfa at certain petrol stations for some reason. Used to keep it half pressed and it would be fine.

Matt82 · 10 Apr 2013 at 21:25

On the e36 it does this unless I hold the nozzle sideways when filling (like a kill shot) them it fills like normal

Fr0dders · 10 Apr 2013 at 21:48

I usually get this when filling up with the hoses that reach round both sides and having to fill up when parked to the right of the pump when my fuel filler cap is on the right of my car.

This is usually because the nozze never quite fits in properly. I'd suggest holding it for different depths, angles and try different petrol stations too.

Vita · 10 Apr 2013 at 21:56

Happens to me as well. I'll try the halfway trick.

Theophany · 10 Apr 2013 at 22:05

Was one of the many delightful quirks of my old Fiat GPS. Nozzle full in, trigger half way always worked for me.

JRS · 10 Apr 2013 at 22:39

On the Project Bentley, you have to turn the pump upside down and have it slightly out of the filler neck otherwise it clicks off straight away and refuses to accept any fuel. So it's not something that improves as you work up to (allegedly!) better cars

jamoor · 10 Apr 2013 at 23:02

try holding it at an angle.

s0ck · 10 Apr 2013 at 23:25

This happened to me the other day. Went in to pay... only 60 quid? Odd. Thought it was almost empty.

Got back into car, gauge is reading 3/4 full.

*FFS*

Rich · 10 Apr 2013 at 23:30

Pull the pump out a bit and squirt again

Disco Boy · 10 Apr 2013 at 23:59

jamoor said:
try holding it at an angle.

I used to have this issue with my polo and holding it at an angle fixed it.

Pixel · 11 Apr 2013 at 01:49

I have this issue with my MX-5, I just hold it half-way now.

BigglesPiP · 11 Apr 2013 at 02:14

I've had cars that had their own special way to fill them. Usually turn the pump to an angle. Find your marqe's owners forum and ask them.

Fortunately my last 2 cars just gulp it down.

hurfdurf · 11 Apr 2013 at 04:37

Pixel said:
I have this issue with my MX-5, I just hold it half-way now.

It was a known recall issue on 98ish models I think, it was sorted out but a lot of people didn't bother, the halfway trick works.

thecremeegg · 11 Apr 2013 at 08:54

Solve it by turning the nozzle upside down so the fuel hits the back of the bend and flows down...I think its caused by the angle of the neck of the fuel tank pipe - ie it splashes the fuel back and the pump cuts off. Upside down trip always worked for me!