Are you having trouble at the gas pump?
In rare cases, a car won’t let their driver fill it with gas.
Why is my Ford Fusion’s gas tank not filling up all the way?
We don’t often run across a car that won’t fill up with gas. However, this uncommon problem did occur on a Ford Fusion. Every once in a while, the driver couldn’t fill the tank up – whether it was close to empty or at half a tank.
Our technician didn’t find any codes in the scan tool. He confirmed the purge valve and vent valve were functioning and made sure the EVAP hoses and fuel filler neck weren’t clogged.
Using artificial vapor and a smoke machine, we are able to check for flow or a lack of it.
The fuel vapor canister was a little clogged. When we cleared it, it became unstuck.
We recommended filling the Ford Fusion with gas again to see if the issue continued. If it did, we would want to start by replacing the canister.
What are reasons why a car won’t fill up with gas?
These are some items that could be behind a car to not fill up with gas:
- Fuel vapor canister
- Gas pump
- Purge valve
- Vent valve
The purge valve and the vent valve all play a role. However, there is a filter inside the canister that gets clogged. The pressures of the vapor that are supposed to come up may not.
On older cars, sometimes the flap won’t open up where the gas goes into the tank. The fuel pump has a big part to play, too.
How do we figure out why a gas tank isn’t filling up?
Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP) systems are tricky. They aren’t always as cut and dry as other car problems, such as engine misfires.
We start our diagnostics process by collecting some background information from the driver.
One question we ask customers when they say the gas tank won’t fill all the way up is, “Have you tried another gas pump?” Because pumps have regulating factors in them to shut themselves off. So, the gas pump and the car work together to measure pressure.
If a driver says, “I tried two different pumps and it did the same thing,” we verify that the access to the tank is free.
Then, we confirm that all of the vapor canister components are working correctly. There are two or three different things that can play a factor in the gas tank not filling up.
What are common EVAP system problems?
A car not letting you fill it with gas isn’t the only issue you may experience.
Some common EVAP system problems include the smell of gas, any EVAP leaks in the plumbing, and the purge of pressure.
Certain symptoms can appear when there’s something wrong with the EVAP system, such as the check engine light coming on and a vehicle running rough at idle.
If you are experiencing any EVAP system problems – the car not filling up with gas, performance problems, warning lights, or abnormal smells – you will want to bring it to a trustworthy auto repair shop for diagnostic testing.
They will be able to have the knowledge and tools to track down what’s causing the issue.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Michelin and BFGoodrich tire dealer located near Dumfries, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.