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Clever people who know about cars, any thoughts on why my car won't let me fill it up wiith diesel?

38 replies

MuffinMclay · 14/09/2007 12:51

It does use diesel, BTW.

I went to fill it up last week and the whole process was mind-numbingly slow and the supply kept cutting out. I managed to get half a tank's worth and gave up. I assumed it was a problem at the petrol station.

I went back today (with a scarily empty tank), but a different petrol station,and the problem is worse. I managed to get £5 worth of diesel into it, before it cut out altogether (and it took a good 10 mins to do that).

A very helpful lady at the petrol station tested the supply and it was fine. I tried another pump, just to be sure, and nothing.

What is going on? Is this yet another horrendously expensive problem?

Very anoying. Dh is away for the weekend with his car, so I'm stuck at home with next to no petrol.

(Audi A6, if that makes a difference).

OP posts:

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MuffinMclay · 14/09/2007 12:53

by petrol, I do mean diesel - I haven't put the wrong one in

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CantSleepWontSleep · 14/09/2007 12:54

Clearly it's in a bad mood - have you not been washing and waxing it and stroking it lovingly?

Am still on hols at the mo btw, but will be at group next Thurs. Any gossip I should know in the meantime?

foxinsocks · 14/09/2007 12:55

did you get someone else to try and fill it up?

only, I had this problem once and complained loudly at every petrol station, bemoaned the fact that there never seemed to be pumps that were working and then I realised I hadn't been holding the nozzle far enough in (needed a strange sort of angle for this specific car) and then it worked fine

JodieG1 · 14/09/2007 12:55

I saw this happen to a car on top gear and I think it was just something that some cars do, depends on the angle you put the pump in iirc. It cuts out when it thinks the tank is full.

preggersagain · 14/09/2007 12:56

sounds like some form of duff sensor! sounds like it needs to go to the dealership for a check over!

Panyanpickle77 · 14/09/2007 12:57

DH is an AA man and he said maybe you need to pull the diesel nozzle out of the car a little when filling up. Apparently depending on the angle of your tank the nozzel may be hitting the sides and setting off the "Im full" mechanism (my technical term not his lol). Hope it helps

SimplySparkling · 14/09/2007 12:58

If you were putting the metal bit at the end of the hose too far into the car, then you were causing it to cut out the delivery. If you bring it out a bit towards you then you keep the air supply as it needs to be and then you can carry on filling. Sorry if that isn't explained too well. Don't push it so far in is my guess. It's got to be enough to go in without spilling on you or the side of the car, but not too far. I'm not clever and I don't know about cars and I'm sure someone has just posted this answer much more consisely and clearly than me!

CantSleepWontSleep · 14/09/2007 12:58

fis - I haven't been around for a couple of weeks (just finishing my hols) - did you start your new job yet?

Pan · 14/09/2007 12:58

It's an occassional prob. with lots of tanks..something to do with a vacuum being present, esp. if tank is quite empty. Try putting the nozzle only slightly in - wiggle things around. If really desparate, fill one of those plastic petrol carriers, and feed it in slowly through that nozzle.

It's what mechanics call "an intermittent fault". Which takes us nowhere.

SimplySparkling · 14/09/2007 12:59

I was right; they have!

NadineBaggott · 14/09/2007 12:59

does it sort put some in then it clicks and the fuel stops going in?

I have this sometimes with unleaded.

Pull the nozzle out as far as you dare and gently squeeze the handle - works for me!

StarryStarryNight · 14/09/2007 13:00

Id say it is the way you are handling the erm.. .. pump.

I have had that with my car once. The pump think that the tank is full, so it cuts off.
Keep holding it in and change the angle?
Also try getting it as deep in as possible.

That usually helps....

Still talking pumps and cars.... btw

foxinsocks · 14/09/2007 13:02

yes I have CSWS. It's terrifying! (work Mon to Wednesday at the moment!).

Pan · 14/09/2007 13:04

or..put the pump gently so it breaks through auto-cover ( that is on a spring) and let lots of air into the tank..equalises pressure, lets air in (petrol is under pressure in a tank)..and so clears the vacuum.

Pan · 14/09/2007 13:05

and SSN is just being mucky.

MuffinMclay · 14/09/2007 13:10

OK, will try putting the nozzle in less far (well, will send dh out to try when he gets back on Sunday - there are only so many times I want to make a fool of myself at a petrol station). I did try taking it out and putting it back in again, but that didn't help.

But I can't believe that my technique was any different to previous (successful) times when I've filled it up.

CSWS - hope you're having a great holiday. M&T was very quiet indeed. Most regulars were awol. There was some gossip (but you probably know it already). Someone had had a m/c over the summer, and I felt awful turning up with a bump. See you next week.
I have never washed or waxed the car in all the time I've had it (as is probably glaringly obvious).

OP posts:

MuffinMclay · 14/09/2007 13:13

SSN

OP posts:

Pan · 14/09/2007 13:15

MM - let the petrol fumes out, and the air in!! Leave the nozzle in for a couple of minutes, prior to pumping. As it were.

StarryStarryNight · 14/09/2007 13:20

Pan, mucky? Look, me and you said pretty much the same thing. I am no car mechanic, i dont have the vocabulary but I tried to be helpful!

MuffinMclay · 14/09/2007 13:20

Pan - got it now! I didn't quite understand with the technical jargon first time round (auto-cover, springs etc).

Perhaps I shall find a quiet petrol station this afternoon and experiment with different techniques.

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Pan · 14/09/2007 14:05

SSN - I was being playful! > should have done the bit.

StarryStarryNight · 14/09/2007 14:55

thats ok Pan!

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lailasmum · 14/09/2007 15:05

on my car(mondeo) you have to put the nozzle in at precisely the right angle or nothing happens at all, I think it has a funny angle into the tank and the pump thinks its full when its not, a good wiggle helps, although it took me ages to get the hang of it.

MuffinMclay · 14/09/2007 15:55

Wimped out of trying again this afternoon.

I'm going to send dh out on Sunday evening to have a go, with clear instructions to wiggle and be gentle.

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CantSleepWontSleep · 14/09/2007 19:55

Ooh - I think I might have heard a rumour about who's pregnant - does she live very close to me?

for m/c - any clues as to who?

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