Prius Refused Gasoline

[andyprius]

On a trip to Lake Tahoe today, I decided to tank up first, although it was about half full. The gas tank refused to allow me to pump gas in continuously, and I had to keep clicking off and trying again. Realizing the futility of this exercise I tried a different pump and a different payng procedure, cash instead of credit card. NO HELP. I finely said forget it and drove about 200 miles on the remainder of tank. Had a fine trip, beautiful day ate at Harrahs, Forest Buffet. Got back to Sacto and filled up the Gas Tank with no problem. This problem was addressed before but the details and fix escape me, something about removing gas cap twice and reseating twice. I just figured the flatus regulator on the tank was malfunctioning and the poor thing was under extreme pressure. AvMPG:52

[betshsu]

I've had this problem once before (but filling an empty tank) and I feel like I've heard of others having the problem. The pump kept clicking off right away after starting. I just got frustated and gave up on trying to fill my tank (put in maybe a gallon) and got gas later at a gas station I normally use. I don't know that I've heard of a fix for it--I think it's related to the auto-off sensitivity of the pump at the particular gas station and the way the Prius tank is designed.

[hdrygas]

I have had this problem twice at the same pump at the same station. I think the auto shutoff was set way too sensitive. I also have noted if I have some problems with filling if I pull the nozzle back an inch or so it will work push it all the way in and it will not on some pumps.

[mswhealer]

I Just brought my baby into the shop for this exact problem. The technician said there was nothing wrong with the car. He said he added five gallons (yeah, for free gas) and had no problem. But this exact same thing has happened to me twice now. Has anyone found a solution for this? I filled up today with no problem.... is it my car or the gas pump?

[heliotropehead]

This happened to me a couple times when I first got my car. I think the early shutoff occurs when no air is getting into the tank and/or you're filling the tank too fast. Since then, I use the lowest setting, which takes a little longer but doesn't cause early shutoff. I also try not to jam the whole nozzle into the car, allowing some airflow.

[andyprius]

I used different pumps, different pay systems and experimented with different insertions of nozzle. Nothing worked until I came back from trip and refueled. Tank then gave me no problem and took about 8 gal to FULL. Where are all the EXPERTS on this site? Is this some abnormal overpressurization in the tank. Car had been in garage as usual and time of failure was about 0830.

[Stocky]

I think it is all something to do with the fart bag you US guys have got in the gas tank - no bag, no problems here.

[Sufferin' Prius Envy]

Often the problem is a doof who was there before you tried to top off his tank and flooded the return vent with gasoline - which then causes havoc with the auto shut-off system . . . pressure builds up quickly and the pump stops. That is one of the reasons they say not to top-off.

I haven’t tried it with a Prius, so I don’t know ifs the clearances will allow: With the nozzle and rubber boot firmly placed in the filler tube, try turning the nozzle upside down and lift the hose to drain the trapped gasoline into your tank. (Free gas!)

If this does not work, try filling with the nozzle in the upside-down position. Some auto shut-offs are touchy.

[tk37]

The turning the nozzle upside down and lifting the hose thing always works for me. I find that if I visit all 12 pumps at the local sunoco, I can get about 2 bars for free this way. Enough to get me back and forth to work for a week.

[senectus]

this is driving me insane as well, and my version of the Prius doesn't have the "bladder".

I found that holding the pump so that only the tip of it is in the "hole" will let me run the pump at full speed.
just don't slip or it'll get messy.