gas spills when filling up the tank

[rudolfoz]

Hello everybody.
I've had my Yaris for 3 month now.
Every time I fill it up, the gas overflows the tank.
I am not sure what is the problem. I've never had this problem with any other car.
I was wondering if that is a common problem.
Thank you.

[Klink10]

Not really. Change your fill up technique.

[Canuck]

Make sure you insert the nozzle all the way and stop filling at the first stop of the pump.

[JumpmanYaris]

I dont recall right now but I think it says DO NOT TOP OFF.
You might be overfilling it or just fill up and wait till the bubbles comes down start filling again , But ur really not suposed to do that I guess.

[rudolfoz]

The problem is that the pump does not stop until it overflows.
I guess I just need to keep of track how many gallons to fill.

[djct_watt]

Happens at every pump, or do you always go to the same gas station?

[rudolfoz]

it has happened with different pumps.
Last time my wife was filling up, and she had the same problem.

[djct_watt]

http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/civil/gas-pump5.htm

A good read.

You have 1 of two things happening:

1) You haven't put a good enough seal from the pump nozzle to the filler hole to create a pressure seal, not allowing the gas to build up to trigger the auto shut-off.

2) You have a leak somewhere in your tank or filler neck causing air to escape. Do you ever get a check engine light? A leak is possible, however unlikely, due to the sensitivity of auto shut-offs, and the massive leak necessary to render them ineffective. That and a fuel leak in your tank would drive your sensors crazy, giving you constant check engine lights.

[rudolfoz]

http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/civil/gas-pump5.htm


1) You haven't put a good enough seal from the pump nozzle to the filler hole to create a pressure seal, not allowing the gas to build up to trigger the auto shut-off.

.

So how do I fix that?

[djct_watt]

Push it in as far as it will go.

[kimona]

Hold it a minute. Is this another joke thread?

[rudolfoz]

Hold it a minute. Is this another joke thread?

I wish.
I am sick of spilling gas every time I fill up.
I have had several cars, and never had this problem.
it's not like I have never filled up gas before.

[djct_watt]

Is your yaris newer than other cars? I believe newer cars didn't have an overfill vent... If I call correctly, it can make it easier to trip the sensor. My yaris doesn't do it, but I just remembered my scion xA did. One trick was to put the pump handle in upside down. Just make sure there is no tension on the hose, because when the shut-off kicks in, it can pop the pump nozzle out of the filler hole.

[kimona]

Take the car to the dealer and have the problem diagnosed. If indeed there is a problem, it should be covered under warranty.

[rudolfoz]

Take the car to the dealer and have the problem diagnosed. If indeed there is a problem, it should be covered under warranty.

I just went over 36 000 miles.
I guess it's too late.
I'll try the upside down filling technic.

[CTScott]

You didn't answer if the check engine light is on. And, if it's not, does it come on for a second when you initially turn the key?

Does the spilled fuel come out from around the pump nozzle (and spill down the side of the car) or does it spill out under the car?

[rudolfoz]

You didn't answer if the check engine light is on. And, if it's not, does it come on for a second when you initially turn the key?

Does the spilled fuel come out from around the pump nozzle (and spill down the side of the car) or does it spill out under the car?

The check engine is on only before starting the car. After that it goes off.

The fuel spills on the side of the car, not under the car

[CTScott]

The check engine is on only before starting the car. After that it goes off.

The fuel spills on the side of the car, not under the car

If the vapor recovery system wasn't intact, then, (as mentioned above) the check engine light would be on.

So, it really points to the pumps not being setup properly. I would try a completely different gas station than you've used and ideally one with super modern looking pumps.

[41magmag41]

I just went over 36 000 miles.
I guess it's too late.
I'll try the upside down filling technic.



I think you'll find the yaris has 60000 mile drivedrain warranty and the fuel delivery system is part of that. Also I think she has an 80000 mile warranty on the emissions end and fuel vapor recovery is under that. This item should still be a warranty issue.

[djct_watt]

If the problem persisted before the warranty ended, you may still be eligible to have it serviced by the dealer. It's ultimately up to the dealer's discretion, but they have funding for people who "make a fuss." Make enough noise, and they make take care of it. You have to be a PITA to the dealer though. . . sometimes being nice works, but in my experience, people fear the whip more than they want the honey.

[djct_watt]

could be related
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-57654.html

[rudolfoz]

I tried today filling up with holding the nozzle at 45 degree angle. It helped. It was annoying to hold the handle while filling, but I will take that over spilling the gas on the side of my car.
Thank you for the help.

[djct_watt]

if you do it at 180 degrees, you won't have to hold it. That's what I used to do (because I was lazy).

[Canuck]

I tried today filling up with holding the nozzle at 45 degree angle. It helped. It was annoying to hold the handle while filling, but I will take that over spilling the gas on the side of my car.
Thank you for the help.

How did you fill up before? Were you using the gas cap to hold the filling nozzle open???

[rudolfoz]

How did you fill up before? Were you using the gas cap to hold the filling nozzle open???
I am not sure what do you mean by "use the gas cap to hold the nozzle open"

I used to just put the nozzle in as far as it goes (which is not very far) and push the handle and "put on" the little lever to keep the gas flowing on its own.

[Yarisduder]

In Canada almost all gas stations have the autofill disabled, to get around this we wedge the fuel cap in under the lever to hold it on until it clicks off. Canuck may not be aware of the autofill capabilities of gas pumps.

[djct_watt]

Wow. . . even in Thailand we have the auto-shutoff. . . what's all this fuuuusss really abooot?

[Yaris Hilton]

In some states in the US the auto-shutoff is disabled as well. Aimed at reducing spills where the feature doesn't work when the operator has walked away and left it unattended.

[TLyttle]

Also, filling slowly will result in spilling. Jam the nozzle in, and run it full blast. I have only spilled once, and that was from slow filling.

[birdman]

I never top it off. I always wait for the first click and no more.

[Betherizie]

I dont have a check engine light, I dont have a leak, I've held it every angle possible. I dont top off, It is getting worse and probably spits out a cup or two. It actually projects out though and causes a terrible mess. If your hand is on the pump you get gas all over your hands. Its terrible

[cdilmore]

41magmag41...
How did you resolve your "overflowing gas while filling" issue? When I picked up my 2010 Yaris from the dealer, she said: I just filled it. In fact, it overflowed.

I thought nothing of it until today - my first fill-up. Even with the nozzle completely inserted, the thing didn't trip & turn off. Just gushed gas right out the neck & down the car.

Thanks for letting me know if you changed your technique, or if Toyota performed a mechanical miracle. And thanks!
Chuck

[ruslanus]

I realize this is an old thread, but my 2012 Yaris has the same problem. It doesn't matter how fast or slow I fill, or which gas station I use. Every time without a fail. I couldn't find a TSB for it. I was just wondering if the OP ever figured it out.