Gas tank took 11 gallons!!! Then puked it back out

[F8L]

Yeah so I have no joined the ranks of those who have had gas overflows.

I was on 1 pip when I went to fill up at a new pump and I just put the pump at the middle setting and went to wash my windows and get a drink from inside the store. While washing the windshield I smelled fuel and chalked it up to the nasty old Suburban next to me. I finished up and walked around the car and noticed the pump read 11.1 gallons! I freaked out thinking wow, that's a first. Then I realized what I was smelling was the gallons of fuel that were puked out of the filler neck.

It just kept trickling out for 15min or so. The filler neck just wouldn't empty. I was afraid to close the cap for fear of it going into the evap system. I figured I lost at least 1.5 gallons on the ground. I took a pic of it pouring out with my cell phone camera but I'm not sure how to get the pic from my phone to the computer without a cable.

What a way to start the day feeling ultra-guilty for something that should never have occured. Grrr

[KayakerNC]

Originally Posted by F8L

I took a pic of it pouring out with my cell phone camera but I'm not sure how to get the pic from my phone to the computer without a cable.

Go to the picture you took, in the "options" you should be able to send the picture to your email address.

[wsmac]

I've seen this mentioned before.
I had this same thing, albeit with less fuel loss, at one particular pump.
I was blaming the pump until I realized it must have been the bladder.

Did you notify the people working at the pumps?
I believe they are responsible for getting out there and cleaning the mess up ... EPA reg's and all that. They are required to have spill cleanup kits available.

Also, did you clean off the side of your car?
I have no idea if the finish/paint on modern cars holds up well against gasoline, but I always grab paper towels or the window squeegee and clean off gas spills on my car.

[McDonald]

Yesterday when I filled up at 2 pips, I got 9.56 gallons in there no problem. Hmm!

[sdtundra]

Originally Posted by McDonald

Yesterday when I filled up at 2 pips, I got 9.56 gallons in there no problem. Hmm!

wow, i fill at 2 pips and can only get in 6.9-7.6 gallons

[McDonald]

Originally Posted by sdtundra

wow, i fill at 2 pips and can only get in 6.9-7.6 gallons

Yeah I was standing there wide-eyed waiting for it to erupt like a volcano at me, but nope! You better believe I didn't try "topping up", and screwed on that gas cap as fast as I could. Ha!

[F8L]

Originally Posted by KayakerNC

Go to the picture you took, in the "options" you should be able to send the picture to your email address.

My phone is lame and won't do that or else I'm lame and cannot figure it out. I've tried a few times over the year I've owned it. It's a Samsung Sync.

[F8L]

Originally Posted by wsmac

I've seen this mentioned before.
I had this same thing, albeit with less fuel loss, at one particular pump.
I was blaming the pump until I realized it must have been the bladder.

Did you notify the people working at the pumps?
I believe they are responsible for getting out there and cleaning the mess up ... EPA reg's and all that. They are required to have spill cleanup kits available.

Also, did you clean off the side of your car?
I have no idea if the finish/paint on modern cars holds up well against gasoline, but I always grab paper towels or the window squeegee and clean off gas spills on my car.

They came out to inspect the mess and I left (had a meeting I was already late for). I didn't see if they brought anything out to clean it or not though in hindsight I should have. Grr where is my brain today?

I did clean the fuel off the paint. I always carry a microfiber towel and a bottle of quick detailer with me.

[judymcfarland]

And this is the reason that I stand there & hold the pump handle while I'm fueling up. In previous cars I could hear the pitch of the gurgle change to let me know that it was almost full, but no gurgling from Fiona & her bladder. I figure it doesn't take that long to fill up a Prius, so I stand right there with my hand on the pump & use a slow/medium speed. Even if I set the pump to run automatically, I never leave Fiona's side until the auto shut-off.
Result: no "puking", no wasted gas, and sometimes (in the dead of winter) cold hands, but always worth it.

[F8L]

Originally Posted by judymcfarland

And this is the reason that I stand there & hold the pump handle while I'm fueling up. In previous cars I could hear the pitch of the gurgle change to let me know that it was almost full, but no gurgling from Fiona & her bladder. I figure it doesn't take that long to fill up a Prius, so I stand right there with my hand on the pump & use a slow/medium speed. Even if I set the pump to run automatically, I never leave Fiona's side until the auto shut-off.
Result: no "puking", no wasted gas, and sometimes (in the dead of winter) cold hands, but always worth it.

I'm going to follow your lead here Judy. I feel bad enough for spilling all the fuel and I do not wish to repeat the problem.