Q: It's hard to fuel up; the nozzle stops and takes forever to fill up and I need to know why

asked by on November 14, 2016

I can fuel the car, but it takes so long at the pump. I have to baby feed gas into it and I know this is not normal. I want to fix this and I have a warranty on the car, so if you know how I can remedy this issue, please tell me what would fix this. Thank you for your time.

My car has 65600 miles.
My car has a manual transmission.

Evaporation Vent Solenoid Replacement $127.55 - $417.61 Get a Quote

This is likely related to your evaporative emissions system. The EVAP system prevents fuel vapors from the fuel tank from escaping into the atmosphere. The EVAP system collects and temporarily stores the fuel vapors in the charcoal canister. The charcoal canister is filled with activated carbon pellets that can absorb the fuel vapors. When the engine is running, the fuel vapors are purged from the canister and burned in the engine. The vent control valve (solenoid) controls the flow of outside air in and out of the charcoal canister. When this is not working properly, you will experience the gas pump shutting off at the pump prematurely as you describe as a result of the tank not being able to rid the system of the excess fumes. This is merely a safety measure of the gas pumps at the station. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your home to take a look at your car to diagnose your EVAP purge solenoid.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Oil leaking and engine went out after sitting for 5 months.
If oil dumped out of the vehicle and then it stopped running, there was likely a catastrophic failure and subsequent lack of oil pressure. From your description, it sounds like there is a good chance the engine is ruined. A...
Car overheating after replacing radiator
The hissing sound you are hearing is most likely a source of a leak in your cooling system. (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/coolant-is-leaking-inspection) I would recommend having a cooling system pressure test performed on your vehicle by a qualified technician. This pressure test will...
Gas pedal sticking
I have seen this issue before. Your gas pedal is connected to the throttle plate via a cable. If the throttle plate becomes dirty, it will get stuck (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/gas-pedal-is-stuck-inspection) and harder to move. You will feel this in the gas...
Car Won't start
If you haven't checked all the fuses yet, I suggest checking fuse #26. It powers up the fuel injectors and the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). I'm also suspecting the crankshaft position sensor (CKP). That needs to be tested. Listen to...
Ews intermediate no start due to starter immobilizer. How do i bypass starter immobilizer to the starter. Or at least relay
I have had a number of customers make requests such as this. The first few times I entertained the possibility of bypassing this system, but the simple fact is, it is less expensive just to have it fixed. The immobilizer...
Bottom Brake lights not lighting
Hello there, a few common faults will cause your 2007 Chevrolet Colorado to have brake lights that do not illuminate. In many cases the bulbs are the most common failure, these bulbs are dual filament and are responsible for the...
My car is showing code P1445
Hi Emily. This is one of the common codes associated with the secondary air injection system on that particular Toyota engine. One of the valves may have failed or has contamination inside. The secondary air injection system is an emission...
How to clean the air intake system..
If the intake system (throttle body and intake manifold) are that clogged up, the safest route may be to remove them completely for a thorough cleaning. Cleaning it while still attached to the engine creates the risk of even the...
I broke a fuel injector plug in, how do I replace it?
Hello, thank you for writing in. The type of repair you need to do is going to depend on what side of the clip you broke. If you broke the fuel injector side, you will have to replace the injector...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy for Occasional Drivers
Not Not everyone relies on their car on a daily basis. Maybe you aren’t the type that deals with a daily commute, and running from here to there constantly. If that’s the case, you may be looking for a car...
How to Replace a Fuel Pump Shut Off Switch
The fuel pump shut off switch may be faulty when the Check Engine Light comes on or if the engine suddenly turns off while driving.
How to Get the Best Fuel Mileage For Your Car
Fuel economy can be increased if you perform regular car maintenance, pay attention to the Check Engine Light, and reduce your idling time.