At almost any gas station I use, the pump shuts off when the tank is about 3/4 full. Restarting the pump gets another gallon or two. A couple of cycles and the tank is actually full. Obviously not a showstopper, but pretty annoying. This is a fairly recent development, but not tied to any work on the vehicle. Any ideas about what's going on and how to fix this?
Gas pumps shut off prematurely
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The auto shut off is to stop you from ruining your charcoal evap canister by over filling and flooding it with gas.
That’s my guess… only because you said 3/4 full + 1-2 gal = full. It’s a 19 gallon tank. Your really at 17-18 gallons when the pump shuts off.
That’s my guess… only because you said 3/4 full + 1-2 gal = full. It’s a 19 gallon tank. Your really at 17-18 gallons when the pump shuts off.
2008 FJC Titanium AT-4x4, SEMArims, UTTE Grill, TRD CatBack, TTE RearSkid&Shifters, 5100s, Leather +
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Not that I have done this yet, but it happens to me a certain gas stations more than others. I pump on the slowest setting and with the nozzle slightly more than half way in.
However there is a fix. How I fixed the fuel filler problem
Best of luck,
Peej
However there is a fix. How I fixed the fuel filler problem
Best of luck,
Peej
2008 FJC Titanium AT-4x4, SEMArims, UTTE Grill, TRD CatBack, TTE RearSkid&Shifters, 5100s, Leather +
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Neighbor kid with an 08 4Runner has the exact same issue. It's a common problem.
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Yes, pretty common. Please don't try and end up overfilling the tank. As said, can screw up the cannister. Also I tried it once, I kept trying to force fill the tank and ended up with the fuel float in the tank sticking on full. Got lucky, bouncing around on the trail freed it up. Never overfilled it again. '13.
Not just a FJ thing, our RAV4 does the same.
Oregon doesn't let us fill our own vehicles (except at stations out in the country). Costco is the worst offender, they fill at the maximum speed. Setting at a slower speed will get a little more in the tank.
Not just a FJ thing, our RAV4 does the same.
Oregon doesn't let us fill our own vehicles (except at stations out in the country). Costco is the worst offender, they fill at the maximum speed. Setting at a slower speed will get a little more in the tank.
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it's been talked about alot about a decade ago but not too much today.. if I recall, the filler tube has a sharp bend in it. when you stick the fuel nozel In the tip is up against the bend. its been known to cause back pressure making the nozel shutoff.
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Good point.
That is strange. I wonder if your regular fuel stop has gotten new nozzles?
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First, I don't know the fuel system in our FJ's. A friend with a late model 1/2 ton dodge. The fuel tank has a built in flapper/check valve. Not replaceable so he had to replace the whole tank due to very slow filling. Any 'flappers' in the filler neck our FJ's that could stick or partially open?
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"Any 'flappers' in the filler neck our FJ's that could stick or partially open?"
No, there isn't (its a straight shot of about a 1" diameter tube all of the way to the inside of the tank).
There is a check valve in the vent in the top of the tank, though. When the nozzle is pressed all of the way into the filler neck then air / vapor in the tank that gets pushed out as the tank is filled is directed through the charcoal canister, via that vent. That air/vapor, after it has passed through the charcoal canister then exits the vehicle through the little air filter on the end of the 1/2" diameter hose that goes from the charcoal canister to it.
The check valve's job is to protect the charcoal canister from being ruined if raw fuel were to reach it (the check valve prevents liquid fuel passing, only vapor).
If there was a fault in the check valve it could cause an issue, but would require replacing the entire tank to find out.
If there was a fault in the charcoal canister it would likely throw a code (it does periodic self tests).
Most likely your air filter is clogged with silt/dirt. I wonder if cleaning that out would help with your filling issue?
In the photo below, of the area below the rear cargo area, the charcoal canister is the rectangular black box to the right, the air filter is the thing attached to the body beside it (middle of the photo). There's an air hose going from it, to the right, to the charcoal canister, and one going up, to the left, to a snorkel mounted near the top of the filler neck.
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No, there isn't (its a straight shot of about a 1" diameter tube all of the way to the inside of the tank).
There is a check valve in the vent in the top of the tank, though. When the nozzle is pressed all of the way into the filler neck then air / vapor in the tank that gets pushed out as the tank is filled is directed through the charcoal canister, via that vent. That air/vapor, after it has passed through the charcoal canister then exits the vehicle through the little air filter on the end of the 1/2" diameter hose that goes from the charcoal canister to it.
The check valve's job is to protect the charcoal canister from being ruined if raw fuel were to reach it (the check valve prevents liquid fuel passing, only vapor).
If there was a fault in the check valve it could cause an issue, but would require replacing the entire tank to find out.
If there was a fault in the charcoal canister it would likely throw a code (it does periodic self tests).
Most likely your air filter is clogged with silt/dirt. I wonder if cleaning that out would help with your filling issue?
In the photo below, of the area below the rear cargo area, the charcoal canister is the rectangular black box to the right, the air filter is the thing attached to the body beside it (middle of the photo). There's an air hose going from it, to the right, to the charcoal canister, and one going up, to the left, to a snorkel mounted near the top of the filler neck.
It's happening at pretty much every gas station I use.
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I wonder if the charcoal canister or the supporting plumbing is getting blocked?
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Please see the post #11, right above yours.
If the canister had blockage it'd probably throw codes.
The air filter could have silt/sand in it, though, and could possibly cause the described symptoms.
My advice to OP is to remove that air filter and check.
2008 FJC Titanium AT-4x4, SEMArims, UTTE Grill, TRD CatBack, TTE RearSkid&Shifters, 5100s, Leather +
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Here is another tutorial on the problem, and might explain why it is happening all of the sudden.
Fixing A Car Where The Gas Pump Keeps Shutting Off - Scotty Kilmer
Peej
Fixing A Car Where The Gas Pump Keeps Shutting Off - Scotty Kilmer
Peej
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Scotty described doing about the same thing I was talking about, but he was using an early '00 vehicle with the far simpler system fitted to US vehicles prior to about '06.
On the FJ, the 1/2" hose I described is the air exhaust/intake, and the hose from it, to the canister, then to the tank would be the rest of it.
Check that filter first, and its hose on either end, then if that is not clogged with dirt (or creature intrusion) then proceed to inspect the canister.
In his example the evap canister is a pretty cheap cylinder with activated charcoal (aquarium filter) in it.
The one on our FJs is far more complicated, with servo controlled valves and a small air pump and some other stuff which makes it very expensive to replace (hundreds of $). So, definitely make sure it is not something simple like a dirty filter first.
The good thing is, if it is just dirt/creature in the air line, then other than having to get under the rear of the vehicle it should be about as easy to clear as what he was showing in his video of an old car.
Norm
On the FJ, the 1/2" hose I described is the air exhaust/intake, and the hose from it, to the canister, then to the tank would be the rest of it.
Check that filter first, and its hose on either end, then if that is not clogged with dirt (or creature intrusion) then proceed to inspect the canister.
In his example the evap canister is a pretty cheap cylinder with activated charcoal (aquarium filter) in it.
The one on our FJs is far more complicated, with servo controlled valves and a small air pump and some other stuff which makes it very expensive to replace (hundreds of $). So, definitely make sure it is not something simple like a dirty filter first.
The good thing is, if it is just dirt/creature in the air line, then other than having to get under the rear of the vehicle it should be about as easy to clear as what he was showing in his video of an old car.
Norm
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I bought my 07 about two years ago with 178k miles. The gas pump was shutting off before it was full so I tried everything from shoving the nozzle all the way in to barely putting it in and that didn’t work. I finally realized the fj tank doesn’t like the nozzle inserted like every other car I’ve owned. Here’s what works for me. Insert the nozzle like you normally would, then turn the nozzle so it is almost parallel with the ground. I think this allows air and vapors to escape and not shut off the pump. It works even better if you have a station like Costco where you can pull up with the passenger door next to the pump and drape the fuel hose over the spare tire to hold the nozzle in position. Been doing this for over a year and have never had it overflow.
My FJ has always had this problem. I usually have to set the fill nozzle on the slowest fill rate setting. If I don't most gas pumps will shut off within just a few seconds of starting the fuel flow, irrespective of how full/empty the tank is. It has to be something in the way the fuel fill neck is set up that does not allow for a normal flow rate of fuel into the tank. It's one of the only up-sides to the dinky fuel tank. It doesn't take long to fill even at a low flow rate.
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I found the nozzles that seal, like in larger cities, are picky. One click max. Where I live we have the splash guards and I can fill wide open.
Always best to fill any vehicle on the first handle detent. And don't try to fill further. At that rate, the tank, in most instances, is about as full as it gets.
Slower rate also minimalizes fumes kicked back through the filler neck and into the atmosphere.
Also gives more time for a vehicle walk-around while filling.
Maybe even smell the roses. 🤗
Slower rate also minimalizes fumes kicked back through the filler neck and into the atmosphere.
Also gives more time for a vehicle walk-around while filling.
Maybe even smell the roses. 🤗
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