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Filling up my gas tank

I recently purchased a 1988 VW Cabriolet Convertible. Even though it is an old car, I like it. However, some things about it are peculiar (aren't we all !). For example, the gasoline will gush out all over the ground if I use one of those gas station pumps with the newly designed stubby nozzle and rubber seal that is an EPA gadget intended for protecting the atmosphere from the fumes. This spillage happens even though the nozzle is inserted.

On the other hand, if I go to a gas station that still uses the older (and longer) nozzles, there is no spillage.

Is there a solution to this problem, other than seeking out stations that still use the old-style nozzles? Thanks.

Reply to
Papa
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You do want to make sure all the hoses and vents and the charcoal filters are in good shape. Many of these problems seem to be caused by kinked, or blocked hoses or a clogged filter.

Reply to
Joseph Meehan

my brand new transit does that! if you listen carefully when you're filling it, you can hear when the tank is nearly full, and stop filling it

Reply to
Nathan Lucas

But I'm talking about when I first start trying to pump the fuel. It gushes immediately, so that it is impossible to put any fuel in the tank unless I use the old style nozzle that I mentioned.

Reply to
Papa

Reply to
Randolph

Inside the fuel opening is a small "button" (for lack of a better word). On my '91 GTI when I press it I get a "whoosh!" sound as if I'm sort of burping the fuel tank...somehow it relieves some pressure. Try pressing that button on your car (assuming it has one) and see if it burps the tank.

Reply to
Matt B.

I think you hit it. Funny just as I was reading the same message you replied to, I thought of the same thing. I wonder if something like a chop stick might work to hold the flap open? Maybe just remove it. I use to know why it was put there, but at the moment I can't remember.

Reply to
Joseph Meehan

Thanks Everyone. I'll give your suggestions a try.

Reply to
Papa

Some of those vapor-recovery hoods on gas nozzles prevent you from getting the nozzle deep enough into the filler tube to push that little flap aside -- you have to push the nozzle in very firmly, lean on it hard, to get the nozzle past the flap. I've had the same thing you described happen to me.

Reply to
Brian Running

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