I have a 2000 Expedition that suddenly stopped "behaving" at the gas station. The nozzle keeps clicking off sensing a back flow of gas from the filler neck. This is now a constant thing, and it takes FOREVER to fill up the tank. The filler neck is not dented as far as I can tell, and it doesn't matter if the nozzle has the gas fume catching rubber thingy or not. Can anyone help point me in the right direction on how this can be addressed? THANKS.

 

Try not putting the nozzle in all the way or put it in at a different angle. Some nozzles have more curve than others forcing the end of the nozzle against the inside surface of the filler tube. The pump senses pressure which causes it to shut off. Just like putting your finger on the end of a garden hose, it raises the pressure.

 

Thanks for the suggestion, but I have tried that at 4 different gas stations so far. I plan to try a couple more today. The thing is, this just started about a month ago .... before that no problems. I have visually inspected the inside of the filler neck, and the outside all the way to the gas tank and there are no visual signs of a problem ... no crushed neck etc. Is there some sort of sensor in the neck or the tank that would contribute to this problem? This is a 2000 EB 5.4L 4x4 with load levelers in case that matters.
Thanks again.

 

My truck does the same thing, you have to have to nozzle pulled out just a little to get it to continue to fill.

 

Thanks Laser Red, but that doesn't seem to work either.

 

The vent from the gas tank might be clogged. You would have to find the vent, and make sure that it is free and clear. I am not sure how you would go about doing that since I've never done it.

 

Does this problem occur at all gas stations or only the one you frequent most? On the road, I find about 1 in 25 gas stations give me the same problem, though I try every thing. I'm told it's the pressure setting on the gas pump at fault. Many station owners do not pay to have their pumps recalibrated. I tend to think this is true because where I usualy buy gas when at home, I"ve never had a problem with automatic filling, no matter how I put the nozzle in the filler neck.

That said, it's also true that a clogged vent hose can cause the pressure to build up, and give a nozzle a false pressure reading. If you if you can find the vent hose, disconnect one end and blow air through it to see if it is in fact clogged by dirt or spiderweb.

 

Thanks to both mistercmk and tsdrallyer for responding to my post. This problem did occur infrequently before, but now it occurs at every single gas station I have tried in the last 2 weeks. I suspected the nozzles at the stations at first, but after about the 8th one I concluded something is wrong with the vehicle.
The idea about the vent tube sounds like a possible fix, so I will attempt to pursue that.
Does anyone know if blowing air from my compressor down the tube from the top (and ultimately into the gas tank) is a sound procedure? Is there any potential problem I would create by doing so?
Thanks again for all those who are able and willing to provide their input. This forum has been a good experience for me to date.

 

There are two vents and a pressure sensor on the top of the tank. Each vent has a hose running out of it and into the evaporative canister. Like mentioned above, try to open one or both of the tubes and "blow" it/them out. If one or both of the valves were clogged, I'd imagine you'd get a SES light and a code.

 

Thanks Buzzard...I will try that. I guess the key is to disconnnect the hose at one end before applying the air pressure. I am not getting any lights or codes indicating a problem, but then again it may be a minor blockage. I will let you know if this works once I get the chance to try it (which may not be for a couple of days).

 

Remember to blow in the tube, not suck!

 

I'll see if I can keep that straight.

 

Hi dstaffordnv,

I have a 2000 EB 5.4L 4x4 with load levelers and this problem just happend to me today. I have never experienced this before. I had 1/2 tank and tried to take advantage of 1.84 gas station (Everyone else was 2.05) today. I could not fill up the tank without it shutting off. Any help on what you found out would be apreciated. Ken

 

Hi Ken -
I wish I could be more help, but I will tell you that my Expy stopped doing this as suddenly as it started. Must have been some type of vapor lock in the overflow tube as near as I can guess. Mine had the problem for about 5 or 6 tankfuls of gas as I recall. I hope yours "fixes itself" too! I think the advice from an earlier poster (buzzer) about blowing air through the overflow tubing could do the trick otherwise.
Dennis

 

Hi Dennis,

I tried another gas station the next morning on the way to work and the same thing happened. I tried to pump gas slowly and it just poured out onto the ground like it would not take it. After reading these notes I could only conclude that the vapor tube was clogged. No air could escape so no gas could be put in the tank. After work that day I decided to attempt to blow air through the vapor tube and see if it would fix my problem. Once under the car I noticed the vapor tube is welded at the neck and follows the gas tube down to the tank. Both the vapor tube and gas tube have rubber hoses connected to them with screw clamps. They connect to the plastic gas tank on the top of the tank. I unscrewed the clamp that was connected to the vapor tube. This was not easy with the screw pointed in the wrong direction and my big hands. Once I got the tube off I blew air up the vapor tube with my compressor. What ever was in the tube was blown into the larger gas tube. Hopefully it dissolves in the gas or is caught by the fuel filter. This FIXED my problem. I was able to fill gas again. Oh what a relief!!! Thanks for replying.

I thought I should post my results so the next person this happens to will know what to do.

Ken