Trouble filling the gas tank.

[bevets]

'02 Boxster S.

When I try to fill the gas tank, fuel just splashes out the filler neck. The only way I can get gas into the tank is by filling really slowly, just a few drops at a time. It seems like some vent somewhere is clogged.

I'm on a road trip, currently in Yuma Arizona. I'd like to get this fixed before this Sunday when I'll be heading back home to N. California. As it is now, it takes about 20 minutes to put 4 gallons in the car, and I have a long drive home!

Is there a do-it-myself fix I can do in the hotel parking lot? Or can someone recommend a mechanic in Yuma or the San Diego area?

Thanks!

Edited February 25, 2010 by bevets

[1schoir]

'02 Boxster S.

When I try to fill the gas tank, fuel just splashes out the filler neck. The only way I can get gas into the tank is by filling really slowly, just a few drops at a time. It seems like some vent somewhere is clogged.

I'm on a road trip, currently in Yuma Arizona. I'd like to get this fixed before this Sunday when I'll be heading back home to N. California. As it is now, it takes about 20 minutes to put 4 gallons in the car, and I have a long drive home!

Is there a do-it-myself fix I can do in the hotel parking lot? Or can someone recommend a mechanic in Yuma or the San Diego area?

Thanks!

Not 100% sure if this is what is causing your problem, but Loren posted a DIY on a part that might be your solution:

I read some other threads that said that banging on the top of the fender in that area sometimes jars the valve open.

Regards, Maurice.

[1schoir]

Here is another possibility, taken from "986FAQ":

Gas Tank Won't Fill

Diagnostic: When you try to fill the gas tank, only about 1/10th of a gallon will go into the tank before the auto-shutoff triggers in the gas pump.

Cause: Tubes behind the flapper in the gas tank have slipped.

Details: There is a one way flapper type valve at the junction of the filler neck and the tank. This is to allow gas in but not out. There are tubes in the tank behind the valve that can slip down preventing the flapper valve from opening allowing only the filler neck to fill up then slowly seeps by the valve.

Take to your dealer with less than 1/2 tank of gas. The fix is to have the dealer secure the tubes up and out of the way of the flapper valve.

I hope it's not this one, as you are far away from home.

Good luck!

Regards, Maurice.

[bevets]

Thanks for the suggestions, Maurice. I did notice a flapper valve right at the opening of the filler neck, on the top. If I insert my index finger, pointing up, and move it in a "come hither" motion, [ahem] I can feel the valve move and I can hear what sounds like it might be a vent opening. I was hoping that if I tapped it a few times that would fix the problem, but no luck.

I'm sure all of these valves and vents are designed to prevent gas vapors from polluting the air, but I suspect the amount of vapor that has escaped in the last day while I've spilled gas all over due to the failure of the system has far exceeded the amount of vapor saved during the total life of the system.

Oh Well...

[MrMcGoohan]

i have had two boxsters and both have this problem, its a real pain in the ***... its as if the gas cannot escape quick enough. you end up spending twice as much time at the pump than anyone else 'cos you have to be gentle on the flow. are we not sure its a design fault? i.e. the angle of the down pipe to the tank is too steep??

[bevets]

Update:

I took it to my mechanic, and he says it's a malfunctioning valve that is on top of the gas tank. The cost of a new valve is about $60. The labor to replace the valve is about 7 to 8 hours! :eek: Apparently, he has to drop the gas tank to replace the valve.

I'll be selling this car when this is fixed. The fun-to-drive factor is just too heavily outweighed by the obscene cost of maintenance.

[judgejon]

this is now happening to my 2003 C4S. Would you mind posting what happened? Thanks

[judgejon]

my problem was that the fuel tank vent valve was not functioning. I could not get gas into the fuel tank. Turns out a mouse had nested in the little area around the valve and had chewed through the wires. Now fixed. My indy, Mike Renzi in Fort Bragg, CA, checked this spot first and that was that. Cheers, jl