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Weird pumping gas problem?

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  #1  
Old 11-29-2012, 08:59 PM
Pbcrazy's Avatar
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Location: Warrenton VA
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Default Weird pumping gas problem?

I've been meaning to ask this for awhile, whenever I go to the gas station (I have tried several bp and shell stations) the gas doesn't pump right. I either have to hold the handle half way or it will cut off, or I can hold it sideways and it will work for awhile. It's really weird and I've never seen another car do it. I only fill up when I have <1/4 tank. Any possible explanations and/or fixs? It gets annoying because I never know if my tank is full or it's just cutting off
 
  #2  
Old 11-29-2012, 09:45 PM
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This is actually decently common on our cars. There's a part underneath a round circular plate at the rear of the car (held in by 3 nuts) called the charcoal canister. The purpose of this piece is to catch gasoline vapors from the tank. Over time it fills up or whatever and eventually is no longer effective at catching vapors, so as you fill up the tank excess pressure builds up and cuts off the flow of gasoline from the pump. Holding the handle half-way reduces the flow from the pump and thus lessens the pressure buildup in the tank.

I used to have the same issue you do... fixed it by swapping in a used charcoal canister from a car with only about 50,000 miles. Now my car always pumps until the tank is actually filled

DIY: Charcoal canister replacement
 
  #3  
Old 11-29-2012, 10:57 PM
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Charcoal canister and/or EVAP purge valve.

I don't let anyone pump gas for me anymore -- topping it off causes this problem.
 
  #4  
Old 11-30-2012, 06:10 AM
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If anybody knows of someone selling one cheap let me know, thanks guys! This has been driving me crazy since I bought the car!!
 
  #5  
Old 11-30-2012, 11:18 AM
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The part number is 8D0201801E. Check on Ebay and whatnot, you're bound to find one (that's where I got mine).
 
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