My wifes 2002 explorer stopped taking fuel at the gas station. You can only put about 1/10 of a gallon in before it clicks off. I have already dropped the tank and checked the fill and vent tubes, and looked inside both of the charcoal canisters on top of the tank. Everything looks perfectly fine, any ideas? Thanks

 

Sounds like you might have an Evaporative Emissions Purge Solenoid that is not functioning properly. Have you checked for any pending diagnostic codes?

-Rod

 

Yes I have and there are no codes at all. This thing is driving me nuts

 

According to a post on another forum, the problem could be the purge valve.

Can not fill the fuel tank - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

 

My 08 E250 did the same thing. There was a white substance in the vent line to the front .... according to the dealer. It was repaired under an extended warranty program so I didn't see it first hand. No codes on the van either and it took me 30 minutes or more to fill that 35 gallon tank. Two or three times in a row like that and it went to the dealer!!

 

Finally got it fixed. There is a little screen in the metal part of the fill tube about halfway between the tank and filler neck. It was partially blocked. Cleaned it up-Takes fuel great. Thanks Guys

 

2Wise4aGM,
I have the same problem and I don't have the accommodations to drop the fuel tank to check the canisters. However, I'm hoping I can check this screen before I take it to the shop.

Can you elaborate on the steps for the fix? Can I just remove the upper metal fill tube to check this screen or is there another metal part of the fill tube? Did you remove the tire and go in that way? Any "gotchas?" Do I need to drain the tank? thanks in advance.

 

It's been a while, but I believe I had to remove the whole fill tube, but it was very simple and straight forward to remove. And no I don't think I had to remove the spare tire.

 

thx for the quick reply. I crawled under the vehicle a few minutes ago.

I found an upper metal tube (with a vent tube coming off the side) connected to a short section of hose. That hose was connected to another section of metal tube (running essentially horizontally) that was attached to the frame with two brackets. Then another section of hose connects that to the gas tank. Given ease of access/removal, I'm hoping the screen is in the upper metal tube.

Appreciate the support!

 

I'm thinking it was in the lower one. Let me know how it goes.

 

hah! figures! The two brackets look like they're totally rusted to the frame. I can already see busted knuckles trying to get that off! Then again, I am assuming you took yours off to clean it - or did you just replace it?

BTW - I cannot find a replacement for the upper metal filler neck online. I can find it for the Sport, but not my XLT. I guess it doesn't matter if the screen is in the lower piece.

 

I just took it off, knocked the screen out of it and put it back on.

 

One quick (last?) question, if you don't mind. Do you recall being able to remove the lower metal tube without removing the upper fill tube?

 

Honestly I cant remember. It was two years ago, and I've had many beers since then. It does seem like it was fairly easy to get it all out.

 

I just fixed mine. Pulled the hose off the tank, then off the metal tube ahead of that. Saw the screen there. Pulled the hose off the fill tube, hooked a shop vac up to that, sucked all the crap off the screen, put it back together, filled it up in two minutes. Suck-cess!