[Mayhem]

So, I was filling up the car tonight at a local Chevron... The gas pump's stopper didn't kick in when it filled up and I had gasoline pouring all over the side of the car. Have never seen this happen before so to be honest it wasn't something I was prepared for... Of course I was staring off into space while it filled. (Yes I am sure the nozzle was properly all the way in.)

Of course, this meant me washing the entire car at 12:30am because I don't want gasoline eating up my paint, nor do I want the smell or any other problems that come with it.

My question is... in regards to the vapor collection system (I don't know the proper terminology). How likely is it that I could have saturated and damaged this system because of this? I don't know if I am talking out of my rear. Just want to make sure there is no further damage this can cause... Also, I am concerned that since the gasoline was actually overflowing... There is no space in the tank for the fuel to expand... Could this lead to further leakage into the vapor collection/sensors whatever?

Is there anything I should be concerned about and is it safe to operate without risking any further damage, and/or should I be taking it into the dealer to make sure no harm was done?

Excuse the novice questions... Hopefully it's no big deal.

 

[Mayhem]

Have heard of this causing issues with the charcoal canister? Or getting pulled through the vacuum and harming other systems. Does this hold any weight?

 

[Zormecteon]

Since you were able to drive away, you're most likely just fine. The charcoal will dry out with time. The vacuum system is used to having gasoline in it, just in vapor form which is more corrosive than liquid form. ..

Either that or sell the car without telling anyone what happened before it blows up. (LOL)

 

[moff3tt]

I have had this happen to me once with my FiST. Never again. IDK what or why it happened.

 

[Mayhem]

Yeah... Well the pump I was using was pumping EXTREMELY slow... slow enough that I was wondering if anything was happening at all.. I've heard that sometimes that can cause issues with the sensors tripping the stopper properly. That is the only thing I can think of other than a flat out defective nozzle/pump.. I am 100% that I had it in properly as I am pretty OCD and always check several times before pumping the gas in. I'm a cheapskate when it comes to gas! And I hate the smell/don't want it on my paint. I probably spent 2 hours cleaning it last night/this morning.

Car needed a bath.. There is some material in the wheel wells that I believe is retaining some of the gas along with the tire rubber... Those are the only two places I can still smell it now, and it's not too strong. I hosed it down pretty thoroughly and even got down and hosed underneath for a while.

I did talk to a Tech at the local dealer as well as the service manager. They also mentioned the charcoal canister.... But felt that the worst that could happen is that it would run funny for a bit, but should likely clear itself up on it's own.

 

[Mayhem]

And yeah, that's probably the last time I stare off into space while waiting to hear the stopper to let me know it's full.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

This wouldn't have been caused by the no-gas-cap thing, would it?

 

[marc89gti]

One thing I will say, as soon as the pump clicks out I don't try and put any more in. First couple of times I tried to do so and gas was puking out onto the ground from underneath the car.

 

[TapTapPull]

One thing I will say, as soon as the pump clicks out I don't try and put any more in. First couple of times I tried to do so and gas was puking out onto the ground from underneath the car.

The manual recommends no more than 2 auto-stop clicks when filling up your car. I only read this a month ago. I just go until one, anyway.

Mayhem, I've seen slow pumps fail to auto-stop. Too bad it happened to you, and hopefully there are no ill after-effects. I suspect there will be none.

 

[Mayhem]

Yeah, I never go beyond an auto stop/click. Just wasn't prepared for it to not happen at all.

I drove around today since the tech said I should be fine.. I haven't noticed any problems. I'll keep an eye on it but hopefully the optimists are right.

 

[timboslice]

The manual recommends no more than 2 auto-stop clicks when filling up your car. I only read this a month ago. I just go until one, anyway.

Mayhem, I've seen slow pumps fail to auto-stop. Too bad it happened to you, and hopefully there are no ill after-effects. I suspect there will be none.

Agreed. The Ford Easy Fuel system requires a few tweeks to my typical filling process:

1. Don't fill past the auto-stop "click"
2. On slow pumps, pay attention. For some reason, a lot of slow pumps don't auto-stop.
3. Don't jiggle or shake out the nozzle. The gas cap instructions say wait 5 seconds after filling. So I count to 5 and then take the nozzle out.

I've encountered some shuttering and near stalling after filling up, but i think that was because I was jiggling the nozzle. Now I follow the instructions and It's been good for almost 2 months now

 

[lill2012]

That used to happen to me on my 2011 SES every once in a while. I got used to it. I had that car for 3 years and 105,000 miles. It really is hit or miss. Sometimes when the pump clicked off you could squeeze another $2 in. Other times, it would click, and when I took it out, gas would pour all over the car.

 

[RDgolfer]

I left my car running today during fill up...95 and humid and wanted to keep the A/C running...got a semi stall...after that..no problems..and have never had fuel fill up problems..hope it get's sorted for the stalling issue

 

[eRic]

leaving your car running during fill up is a bad idea. I have seen a pump overflow and catch fire while the driver was siting inside with the engine running. I honked my horn and flashed my lights at them to get their attention and the attention of the attendant so they would hit the button to shut off the pump and turn on the sprinkler...

 

[Firesail]

leaving your car running during fill up is a bad idea. I have seen a pump overflow and catch fire while the driver was siting inside with the engine running. I honked my horn and flashed my lights at them to get their attention and the attention of the attendant so they would hit the button to shut off the pump and turn on the sprinkler...

As a firefighter, I applaud your actions!:thumbsup:

 

[RDgolfer]

I am the pumper, and I am an aware pumper person, pumping the gasoline myself... and I do not like gasoline infernos anywhere near this self pumping person's body! That is why this pumper, pumps himself...which is impossible and possible at the same time...What polite society softies are getting char broiled sitting in their FiST during fill up at the non self serve? So this means stay away from full serve gas stations, and the peasants that work there...this very well will become a PSA...bowing

 

[Zormecteon]

I left my car running today during fill up...95 and humid and wanted to keep the A/C running...got a semi stall...after that..no problems..and have never had fuel fill up problems..hope it get's sorted for the stalling issue

Illegal. With good reason. Don't.

 

[tubbyaz]

A slow pump is usually due to the internal pump filter becoming full of gunk. And since the mechanism is meant to detect the change in suction in the small pipe and venturi arrangement on the nozzle, an older nozzle may not easily detect that change in pressure when the tank gets full, and out spills the gas. Nozzles are meant to be changed out every so often.

See this link on "How [email protected] Works".

Last time it happened to me, it was a really hot day, the fuel started expanding in the Arizona sun very quickly, and I ended up with the fuel pump housing cracking in the top of the tank (2001 Focus ZX3).