Bizarre Fueling Issue - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

maspc · 08-14-2006, 11:04 AM

I bought my 2001 Avalon XLS new. I have driven it over 60,000 miles to date. Awesome car, generally. Over the last couple of months, I began experiencing difficulty filling the gas tank. The pump clicks off repeatedly, allowing only a few cents worth of gas to go in at a time. This has begun to get on my nerves, as it literally takes 15-20 minutes to spoon feed the gas into the tank. I have tried repositioning the nozzle in the filler neck, pulling it out, pushing it in, standing on one leg, etc. Nothing seems to help. Has anyone experienced this kind of problem before, or even heard of it? This happens at all of the various stations that I have tried without respect to the brand of gas, etc. What is the deal? HELP!

bigbob68 · 08-14-2006, 01:25 PM

try waiting 10 seconds then try pumping again. Works for me when the gas comes out at a slow pace. Good luck.

silverxls · 08-14-2006, 02:45 PM

filler vent tube cloged or pinched would be my guess

***toyomoho*** · 08-14-2006, 05:47 PM

Does this happen at all gas stations? Sometimes the nozzle flow shut off valve is too sensitive. The emission system has a vent and valve system plus charcoal canister. I think this setup is under the car near the tank. With 60K on the car, something may now be wrong with this setup. If this is an emission problem, check into the possiblity of extended warranties mandated by the EPA.

maspc · 08-14-2006, 10:13 PM

Any idea how I would get to that?

maspc · 08-14-2006, 10:15 PM

Very good suggestion. Thanks for the much-appreciated insight.

***toyomoho*** · 08-15-2006, 02:32 PM

I thought the emissions items were located underneath the car near the front of the fuel tank. I think you need to get underneath the car to see it.

Kawg1 · 12-03-2007, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toyomoho

I thought the emissions items were located underneath the car near the front of the fuel tank. I think you need to get underneath the car to see it.

My 2001 Avalon started only taking gas in short bursts at 88,000 miles. My search at other websites indicate that the charcoal fuel emissions canister is clogged. It appears to cost $500 or more to have it replaced at a dealership.

***toyomoho*** · 12-03-2007, 10:06 PM

The fuel tank has a vent tube that routes trapped air back into the upper part of the filler hose. If this vent is plugged the gas will enter slowly and the fuel nozzle trip.

The charcoal canister absorbs gas fumes from a closed gas tank then purges them to the engine to burn. The fuel nozzle of the gas pump may have a system to pull off the gas emissions as the tank fills.

If you do need emissions parts try www.rockauto.com. Changing the canister is a DIY job.