Hard To Fill Fuel Tank

peter hausberg · November 14, 2005

I have a 2000 GS300. Wonderful car! But I have a problem filling the fuel tank.

Whenever I try to pump gas into the tank (particularly after driving some distance), the nozzle keeps shutting off. Even pumping gas slowly doesn't seem to work. The nozzle clicks off after about 2 seconds. Needless to say, fueling the car has become a laborious process.

I live in California where the gas stations use vapor recovery nozzles (big black sleeve over the fill pipe enclosing the mouth of the car's filler hole).

I have tried every nozzle position imaginable and every delivery speed on the nozzle "trigger"...all to no avail.

Anybody (California members?) had this same problem? Anyone know about a Lexus Tech Service Bulletin which might explain the cause?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Simple · November 14, 2005

I live in Orange County. Same problem.

I end up not sticking the nozzle all the way in...that seems to work.

bartkat · November 14, 2005

Maybe the vent line that goes from the filler neck to the air cleaner housing and charcoal canister is clogged or has come loose.

Lex01_430 · November 18, 2005

i remember having some problem like this before...i tried to hold the sleeve back to let the fumes escape while only putting the nozzle in. If i recall this seemed to help

Simple · November 28, 2005

My check engine light is on now. Darn evap codes.

I have pretty much replaced everything that could cause the problem...at the same time overlooking the "hard to fill gas tank" problem.

Someone mentioned the vent lines could be blocked.

i hope this ends up being the problem, cause my piggy bank is empty.

Simple · November 28, 2005

My check engine light is on now. Darn evap codes.

I have pretty much replaced everything that could cause the problem...at the same time overlooking the "hard to fill gas tank" problem.

Someone mentioned the vent lines could be blocked.

i hope this ends up being the problem, cause my piggy bank is empty.

donrobbery · June 2, 2006

I heard that lexus is required to repair any evap. problems cause of a settlement with the epa over these evap issues. they lost the case on 3-7-03 :cheers: