NO fix for Prius Gas Tank Filling Up Issues

[skruse]

Time for an EBH mounted on the underside of the gasoline tank or a light bulb, turned on and laid on the ground under the tank? This works some times in extreme cold (-40 °C) when gasoline is reluctant to move.

[diamondlarry]

Originally Posted by qbee42

So, do you suppose that some Prius have this problem, and some don't? This is a serious question. I am one of the posters who properly claim the problem doesn't exist, at least with my Prius. I suspect that is the case with all of the posters who claim there isn't a problem: it just means that there isn't a problem with their Prius and/or gas pumps.

I seriously doubt that we have a conspiracy of Prius owners trying to hide a fueling problem.

To my way of thinking, the problem is either with some Prius, some pumps, or some owners. The hard part is telling the real problem or combination of problems.

Tom

The problem does exist. It has happened to me before(occasionally but not always) but, from the information on this forum, I know how to get around it. For example, I was on a flashing pip once and the stupid pump kept shutting off after ~.1 gallons or less.(What do the people who say to pump until it shuts off and hang up the pump in this situation?) I know what you're going to say: Try another pump, right? I use the same pump at the same station every time. I have filled without problems and filled with problems at the same pump. The annoying part is that I haven't found any logical pattern to when the problem will occur. I wouldn't say people are trying to cover up the problem so much as denying it exists. I have never heard of any other car having this issue at the rate of the Prius. The bladder was a stupid idea. Period. It's not necessary to meet AT-PZEV emissions since other cars can without it.

[eestlane]

Originally Posted by richard schumacher

At the cost of increasing evaporative emissions from the tank and water vapor infiltration into the tank. Better to be patient when filling and try another pump if you have a problem.

Sorry that I didn't make it clear what seal. Not the gas cap seal, that would indeed cause the problems you state. I am referring to the seal that fits tightly around the gas pump nozzle during refueling. Sure, some gas fumes will escape during fueling, but that is better than spilling a pint or two on the ground when the bladder "burps" when the nozzle is removed. The gas tank is still totally sealed when the gas cap is tightened.

[richard schumacher]

Ah. Hmm, yeah, probably better that than even one burp.

You don't top it off, right?

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by diamondlarry

The problem does exist. It has happened to me before(occasionally but not always) but, from the information on this forum, I know how to get around it. For example, I was on a flashing pip once and the stupid pump kept shutting off after ~.1 gallons or less.(What do the people who say to pump until it shuts off and hang up the pump in this situation?) I know what you're going to say: Try another pump, right? I use the same pump at the same station every time. I have filled without problems and filled with problems at the same pump. The annoying part is that I haven't found any logical pattern to when the problem will occur. I wouldn't say people are trying to cover up the problem so much as denying it exists. I have never heard of any other car having this issue at the rate of the Prius. The bladder was a stupid idea. Period. It's not necessary to meet AT-PZEV emissions since other cars can without it.

Perhaps you missed my point. Just in case, I will state it again: Those of us that don't have this problem don't have a problem. It's as simple as that. I am willing to take your word for it, as well as the other sufferers, but it does beg the question as to why some Prius owners have this problem while others don't. I can't help you because I have never experience a random filling problem. The only time I have ever had trouble was with a bad pump nozzle. I have actually had less trouble with refueling my Prius than with my other, non-bladder car.

My guess is that the sealed tank system on the Prius generates a bit more back pressure during refueling. This means that any touchy pump nozzle will be more likely to kick off early. I suspect, but have no way of knowing, that some parts of the country have pumps with differing characteristics. It's only a guess, but seems plausible.

If other vehicles used a tank system similar to the Prius, then gas stations would adjust their pumps accordingly. Unfortunately, with the Prius tank being one of a kind, any pump problems will appear first with the Prius.

Tom

[landstander]

Originally Posted by eestlane

Sorry that I didn't make it clear what seal. Not the gas cap seal, that would indeed cause the problems you state. I am referring to the seal that fits tightly around the gas pump nozzle during refueling. Sure, some gas fumes will escape during fueling, but that is better than spilling a pint or two on the ground when the bladder "burps" when the nozzle is removed. The gas tank is still totally sealed when the gas cap is tightened.

Just out of curiosity, did you have to cut the beastie off? Or does it simply pull off in one piece?

[bushface]

I hate the bladder tank also and I fill up mostly at the same pump. I have found turning the nozzle upside down works most of the time. I wish that it did not have that bladder. I also hate the front defrost, it should return the heating and cooling back to the previous settings when it is turn off.

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by bushface

I hate the bladder tank also and I fill up mostly at the same pump. I have found turning the nozzle upside down works most of the time. I wish that it did not have that bladder. I also hate the front defrost, it should return the heating and cooling back to the previous settings when it is turn off.

What happens to the settings when you turn off defrost? I always run on Auto A/C. Defrost doesn't do anything funny with that setting.

Tom

[landstander]

Originally Posted by qbee42

What happens to the settings when you turn off defrost? I always run on Auto A/C. Defrost doesn't do anything funny with that setting.

My 2005 switches to Auto A/C when defrost is turned off, regardless of the pre-defrost setting. That's usually my desired setting anyway, so I rarely even notice these days.

[KAR IDEA]

Originally Posted by qbee42

What happens to the settings when you turn off defrost? I always run on Auto A/C. Defrost doesn't do anything funny with that setting.

Tom

Originally Posted by landstander

My 2005 switches to Auto A/C when defrost is turned off, regardless of the pre-defrost setting. That's usually my desired setting anyway, so I rarely even notice these days.

I find that running the dual defrost/lower vent setting AC off temp set at 71f to 73f, works best in the dry colder climes. I may turn AC on if it's precipitating, and humidity seems to be building up on the windshield. Landstander, that's weird that your '05 switches like that, my '08 does not do that.



Just my 2 cent's, I have NEVER been able to get a full 11.(whatever) gallon tank in my 08, from the get go. The most it ever took on a fill up was 10.4, and it never seems to be consistent or follow any logic. Most of the time, it takes up to 8 and 9 gallons. Now with that said, the last five tanks have been fairly illogically consistent, check it out: 8.7, 8.6, 8.7, 8.9, 8.5 and those fill ups were all from different stations and different pumps. Weird. It also seems that the outside temp doesn't matter either, because I've had 9 gallon fill ups in 90f, AND 30f.