Fuel Top Off - Overflow!!!

[Buster1]

I was filling up the FFH today and decided to top off the tank a little after the automatic nozzle shut off. When I did, a bunch of fuel came shooting out from underneath the car! It made a 2 foot puddle around the left rear tire. I hope this is normal and there is some kind of overflow valve or something. I suppose that is the case to prevent fuel from backing out the filler port.

 

Has anyone else had this experience?

[Milan_OH]

I was filling up the FFH today and decided to top off the tank a little after the automatic nozzle shut off. When I did, a bunch of fuel came shooting out from underneath the car! It made a 2 foot puddle around the left rear tire. I hope this is normal and there is some kind of overflow valve or something. I suppose that is the case to prevent fuel from backing out the filler port.

 

Has anyone else had this experience?

 

 

Yes, I did the same thing...exactly once. Same puddle underneath. Yes, nice overflow control system FMC employed to keep us from getting doused with fuel when we don't do what the manual says.

 

Jack in Ohio

[jeff_h]

Yes, I did the same thing...exactly once. Same puddle underneath. Yes, nice overflow control system FMC employed to keep us from getting doused with fuel when we don't do what the manual says.

 

Jack in Ohio

 

Same here - made the mistake once, got the same 2-foot puddle, and that's all it took to not top off that car anymore (like I've done with other cars for many years).

[rfruth]

Thanks to the easy fuel no cap fuel system when the pump clicks off the first time thats more than enough for me

[junehhan]

The same thing happened to me, except I ended up with a massive spill. I was filling up at a very ghetto Shell gas station and the nozzle wouldn't shut off and kept continuing to spill fuel everywhere. Not only did I get a puddle underneath, but it actually spewed back out of the nozzle as well. However, I normally don't even bother trying to top it off once it clicks off on its own as I noticed that there is very little room to put more in. On my Focus, I used to try adding upto another $1 worth of petrol after the initial click off.

Edited September 1, 2010 by junehhan

[francois.nc]

I am glad I saw this post. I am in the market for a new FFH, and currently own a Nissan Pathfinder, I can sometimes put almost a gallon of gas in during topping off, and when I fill up every four days, believe me, I try to squeeze in as much as possible on every fill up. The last thing I would want to see on my new FFH (once I get it) would be gas pouring out from underneath the car.

[runutzzzzz]

You could damage your EVAP system by topping off.

 

Why you don't top off on any modern car:

 

HELP PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT!

SAVE MONEY!

 

 

Do you top off your gas tank and overfill it?

 

When the gas pump nozzle clicks off automatically, do you add a little more gas to round off your dollar sale?

 

Topping off your gas tank is bad for the environment and your wallet.

 

Here's why:

 

Topping off the gas tank can result in your paying for gasoline that is fed back into the station's tanks because your gas tank is full. The gas nozzle automatically clicks off when your gas tank is full. In areas of ozone nonattainment, gas station pumps are equipped with vapor recovery systems that feed back gas vapors into their tanks to prevent vapors from escaping into the air and contributing to air pollution. Any additional gas you try to pump into your tank may be drawn into the vapor line and fed back into the station’s storage tanks.

 

Gasoline vapors are harmful to breathe. Gasoline vapors contribute to bad ozone days and are a source of toxic air pollutants such as benzene. Evaporation from the spillage of gas from overfilling can occur, contributing to the air pollution problem. Remember you pay for the gas that evaporates or is spilled on the ground.

 

You need extra room in your gas tank to allow the gasoline to expand. If you top off your tank, the extra gas may evaporate into your vehicle’s vapor collection system. That system may become fouled and will not work properly causing your vehicle to run poorly and have high gas emissions.

 

Topping off your gas tank may foul the station's vapor recovery system. Adding more gas after the nozzle has automatically shut off can cause the station's vapor recovery system to operate improperly. This contributes to the air pollution problem and may cause the gas pump to fail to work for the next person.

[francois.nc]

I guess I won't be topping off anymore.

[lolder]

It's probably designed that way so it doesn't gush out the filler into your face. Also the neck is a close fit because of the capless design. The evaporative emissions controls in these cars are extremely complicated. That's one of the reasons the ICE starts when you turn the car "on"; to check that system.

Edited September 1, 2010 by lolder

[lolder]

If you look at the fueling compartment, you'll see the vent appears to be in the bottom part of the fitting. This must open during fueling for fumes to be retrieved by the nozzle in areas where that is required. It must close when the nozzle is removed. That area is drained by a rubber tube that is evident behind the rear wheel. They don't want the tank overfilled (expansion, etc.) or liquid fuel to be recovered by the fueling nozzle. Nothing is simple or unplanned anymore. This car goes so far on a tank there's no point in topping off. If you went off the interstates on a long trip and drove under 50 mph, you could go over 800 miles! That's 16 hours at 50 mph!!

[jazztrumpet216]

My dad had a 1992 Voyager that would take nearly a gallon after the first click. His next car was (and is) a 2003 Santa Fe he purchased new and he continued his habits of topping off. He also wondered why every 15k miles he would get a check engine light because the car had chucked a canister valve (part of the evap system, for those who may not know). Hyundai dutifully paid for each canister valve, warning my father to quit topping off. Lo and behold, 63k miles and the thing eats another canister valve, the car is out of warranty, and $550 later he learned why he shouldn't top off the gas tank.

 

Luckily for us, Ford put a vent in our fuel systems.

Edited September 2, 2010 by jazztrumpet216

[paulbuck]

I was filling up the FFH today and decided to top off the tank a little after the automatic nozzle shut off. When I did, a bunch of fuel came shooting out from underneath the car! It made a 2 foot puddle around the left rear tire. I hope this is normal and there is some kind of overflow valve or something. I suppose that is the case to prevent fuel from backing out the filler port.

 

Has anyone else had this experience?

Same thing happened to me....once. I've always tried to 'squeeze' a few more cents of gas into the tank after the auto shut off in my other cars. After spilling a puddle from the Hybrid, I only fill to the auto-shut off and thats it.

[tonifan]

HINT: Never, EVER top off your tank. It will backflow into the Catalytic Converter which will cause damage to it, which can cost upwards of $1,200 to repair/replace! Thieves are now focusing on stealing either the Catalytic Converter OR the steering wheel airbag. The airbag costs $1,000+ and thieves sell them for upwards of $400 each. Again, don't ever top off your tank. I had a 2009 MKS that, when topped off, would only register as having 3/4 tank full. As I drove, the fuel level gauge went S L O W L Y from 3/4 full BACK UP TO FULL! So, you can seriously damage more than one electronic system on your car.

[FFHdriver]

HINT: Never, EVER top off your tank. It will backflow into the Catalytic Converter which will cause damage to it, which can cost upwards of $1,200 to repair/replace! Thieves are now focusing on stealing either the Catalytic Converter OR the steering wheel airbag. The airbag costs $1,000+ and thieves sell them for upwards of $400 each. Again, don't ever top off your tank. I had a 2009 MKS that, when topped off, would only register as having 3/4 tank full. As I drove, the fuel level gauge went S L O W L Y from 3/4 full BACK UP TO FULL! So, you can seriously damage more than one electronic system on your car.

You are kidding about the overflow, aren't you? LOL

[jazztrumpet216]

HINT: Never, EVER top off your tank. It will backflow into the Catalytic Converter which will cause damage to it, which can cost upwards of $1,200 to repair/replace!

 

:huh: :blink:

 

I think you're sticking the filler nozzle into the wrong hole.

[akirby]

:huh: :blink:

 

I think you're sticking the filler nozzle into the wrong hole.

 

I think he meant evaporative cannister.

[Oman]

I found that funny as well. The converter IS part of the emissions system and so is the recovery canister. Maybe as part of some systemic failure a sensor would malfunction when the fuel backs up through the vent line and causes the engine to run way lean and start to damage the converter - but it is a long shot.

 

Here in Minnesota we did actually have a couple of thieves ( caught and now in jail) that were crawling under cars in the commuter parking lots and using a hacksaw to remove the converters. It didn't take long for the police to start parking down the street and watching for people crawling under cars. I doubt they only hit cars with overfilled tanks though :>

 

Jon

 

 

I think he meant evaporative cannister.

[kirkster57]

I think the owners manual says only two more clicks after the first one to prevent against accidental fuel spillage.

 

Thanks to the easy fuel no cap fuel system when the pump clicks off the first time thats more than enough for me

[rfruth]

I wonder how much a evap cannister for the FFH costs (no warranty if liquid is found in the can) ?

[awaisrauf]

Hi,

 

I have a 2010 fusion (SEL-I4 not hybrid) and I noticed the same thing. If I tried to fill up past the first click a little gasoline would spill out so I stopped trying to "top it off". However, recently I had the service engine soon light come on. Took it to the dealership and they said it was an o-ring in/around the gas tank that had to be replaced. It was replaced but the next time (and every subsequent time) I filled up, I noticed gasoline coming out of the overflow valve immediately after the nozzle clicked off, before I even have a chance to pull it out of the gas tank. This is not a few drops either but a few hundred millilitres. Took it back in to the dealership and they said nothing was wrong.

 

I was just wondering if anyone else had this problem or if anyone has an idea of what went wrong during the o ring replacement? My car never did this before.

 

Thanks!

[lolder]

Hi,

 

I have a 2010 fusion (SEL-I4 not hybrid) and I noticed the same thing. If I tried to fill up past the first click a little gasoline would spill out so I stopped trying to "top it off". However, recently I had the service engine soon light come on. Took it to the dealership and they said it was an o-ring in/around the gas tank that had to be replaced. It was replaced but the next time (and every subsequent time) I filled up, I noticed gasoline coming out of the overflow valve immediately after the nozzle clicked off, before I even have a chance to pull it out of the gas tank. This is not a few drops either but a few hundred millilitres. Took it back in to the dealership and they said nothing was wrong.

 

I was just wondering if anyone else had this problem or if anyone has an idea of what went wrong during the o ring replacement? My car never did this before.

 

Thanks!

Take it back to the dealer again.