Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

Original poster

Aargh! Anyone experienced a car that won't fill up with petrol?

19 replies

littlegreybird · 27/06/2021 10:03

I bought a used car about a week ago and have tried to put petrol in about 4 times. Each time it's incredibly slow as the flow keeps cutting off and I've only ever been able to put about half a tank in as it's taken too long (I usually use a tank and a bit each week.) I've never heard of anything like it but having Googled it seems there are issues that can happen with a car that can cause this so I wondered if anyone here had experienced similar. I do have an RAC warranty so I'm hoping it will be covered by that as it's just infuriating and spoiling an otherwise lovely car that was quite a step up for me .

OP posts:

StroppyTop · 27/06/2021 10:50

Try changing how far you put the nozzle in. Pumps have a cut off sensor and cars have different shaped tank access tubes that can cause fuel to splash back and cause them to cut off.

Rowgtfc72 · 27/06/2021 10:59

Dh says is your guage faulty? Run it till it says it's empty. If it keeps going it's definitely your guage.
Most petrol tanks are under the rear seats. Can you lift them and look inside?

Busygoingblah · 27/06/2021 11:02

Are you using the same petrol station each time? My old car was really hard to fill up at Tesco petrol stations, it would click out as if it was full every few seconds. It was fine at other petrol stations though. I’m assuming it was something to do with the shape of the nozzle.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Driving & parking

TSJ19 · 27/06/2021 11:02

Hi this used to happen to me when i filled my car up and then i realised i was putting the nozzle in to far as on my old car i used to put the nozzle in further.

CovidCorvid · 27/06/2021 11:08

Yes, again it was a nozzle in too far issue.

Original poster

littlegreybird · 27/06/2021 11:11

Thanks for replies. I did used to get this very occasionally with my other car but ignored it and assumed it was to do with the pumps not the car as it was a very intermittent thing. Never imagined it could be car related!

I've been to different places each time and I'm sure it happened every time, though there may have been one time it didn't!

It does feel very different from the last car in that the nozzle feels sort of loose in the hole (!) so I will certainly try again holding it differently and see if that works. I don't think it would be the gauge as I think it's standard for dealers to put about a quarter of a tank in - don't think they would have filled it up? And it's consistent with how it is using up the amount I'm putting in.

OP posts:

FlosCampi · 27/06/2021 11:12

Used to happen to me in a vw Golf. The trick is to squeeze the pump handle really slowly to start with, then after say five pounds worth you can apply full pressure.

amylou8 · 27/06/2021 11:13

My diesel has some sort of lock to prevent misfueling. At some pumps I have to put the nozzle in and turn it 180 degrees to release it before it will pump. Others it just works normally. Took me ages to figure this out.

Original poster

littlegreybird · 27/06/2021 11:20

Hmmm, who knew putting fuel in could be so complicated? I've gone from a Fiat Panda to a Nissan Note so never thought they'd be that different...

OP posts:

cocoloco987 · 27/06/2021 12:35

Sounds like an operating error rather than a car problem. Ask someone else to try for you

NotTodaySatanNotToday · 27/06/2021 12:40

@littlegreybird

Hmmm, who knew putting fuel in could be so complicated? I've gone from a Fiat Panda to a Nissan Note so never thought they'd be that different...

I had a Nissan note and never had an issue with it not filling up with petrol. I used a variety of stations Inc shell, BP, asda and tesco with no issues, and I Judy put the nozzle all the way In. I got rid of it for other issues tho. (Had it for 3 years from new,)

Paq · 27/06/2021 12:47

Nissan Note owner here. Never had a problem. Definitely suggest you get someone else to try.

VeganVeal · 27/06/2021 13:20

@Rowgtfc72

Dh says is your guage faulty? Run it till it says it's empty. If it keeps going it's definitely your guage. Most petrol tanks are under the rear seats. Can you lift them and look inside?

Run it till it says it's empty. If it keeps going it's definitely your gauge.

Or if it gets to empty and you run out of fuel in the middle on nowhere you know the gauge is fine!

Most petrol tanks are under the rear seats. Can you lift them and look inside?

Lift the seats and look inside what? The fuel tank? You do know what a fuel tank looks like? Its not just sloshing about under the seats in an open container.

SleepyMathematician · 27/06/2021 13:22

I have to turn the nozzle upside down or I get this issue. Turn it 180 degrees and it’s fine. Give it a try.

christyt114 · 27/06/2021 21:07

Yes I have the same. I turn the nozzle slightly to the left then it's fine.

Hen2018 · 27/06/2021 21:14

If you shove the nozzle in too far, you get a vacuum effect I.e you’re trying to get fuel in but not letting the air out.

As others have said, try a different angle.

PersianStar · 27/06/2021 21:18

I used to have this with my fiesta, it was fitted with an easy lock(??) or something like that and would stop if air got in. Used to have to wiggle the nozzle when fueling.
No one bothered to mention this to me though so when I first filled up I managed to get about a litre in then it stopped, I had to go in and ask the man for help as I wouldn’t have enough to get home

QuestionableMouse · 27/06/2021 21:20

Are you sure it's a petrol and not a diesel?

WeIcomeToGilead · 27/06/2021 21:44

I had this problem with an old Mitsubishi

The garage told me it was caused by an air lock and only happened when I was filling it up from empty

They’re ere right: it stopped being an issue as soon as I stopped being a tight arse!

Flip

Swipe left for the next trending thread