Difficulty with fuel pump handle shutting off

[MotoWPK]

Prior to a trip the past few days I'd two or three times encountered an issue where the fuel pump handle would shut off, as if the tank was full, though it was not. Even manually holding the handle at is lowest flow rate made no difference - it would pump for a couple of seconds then shut off.

In these instances I was able to solve the problem by pushing the handle in absolutely as far as it would go, though even before it was in enough that I would call it fully inserted.

Then, a couple of days ago, I encountered the same problem but nothing I did would result in the pump handle staying on. Additionally, this time I noticed as I pulled the handle out of the fuel filler neck that fuel could be seen slightly above the spring loaded flap that is closed when no fueling nozzle is present. This fuel quickly drained back down past the flap.

Has anyone else encountered this? I'm wondering if this is a quirk of the 1 series or if something is wrong with my '13 128i vert, perhaps a partially blocked fuel fill line.

[bozola]

I have this problem. I usually shift the pump handle to the right (front of the car) and pull it out just a bit. Seems to work.

[1addyfan]

Can't say I've had this problem with my car... Is it always at the same gas station, or at all stations?

[pdisher]

I can offer this...

I'm on my second 128i. The first, a 2008 had the exact problem, I just put up with it.
The second car, a 2010, does not have the same issue. I noted that there was a repair effected. In March of 2011 there was this noted on the vehicle history.
"Fuel tank vent valve (carbon canister) occasional malfunction"

Not sure if the issue was as a result of the symptom referenced in the OP's initial post or not.

Just thought I'd mention it.

[Ehwnnc]

I had a similar problem but only once, the pump did not shut off and gas went everywhere

[MotoWPK]

Originally Posted by bozola

I have this problem. I usually shift the pump handle to the right (front of the car) and pull it out just a bit. Seems to work.

When this occurred I tried that and other positioning of the pump handle, but the only thing that worked was pushing it all the way into the filler neck, though the difference couldn't have moved the nozzle more than an 1/8" further into the filler neck. And, the last time, even that didn't work.

The three or four times it's occurred have been at different gas stations. No apparent differences that I noted between the pump handles.

"In March of 2011 there was this noted on the vehicle history.
"Fuel tank vent valve (carbon canister) occasional malfunction"". Hmmm, that's the sort of thing I'm wondering about.

At this point I'll keep observing and if it occurs again will take into the dealer to have it checked.

Thanks for the feedback.

[tuco44]

Think it's a common problem. It happens to me occasionally, and I just experiment with different positions until I find one that works. Mine is a 2012 model so don't think any "fix" has been done.

Same problem has occurred on other makes of cars as well. It seems it happens more often the outside temps are higher, ie, not in cool weather. Pressure in the tank?

[MZWIE]

It's not an issue with the car. It is an issue with the pump handle itself. It happens on many cars.

[tccox]

Never had that problem but I always refuel at same station and usually the same pump. Does this occur a different stations ?

[Crosboro]

I, too, think it's a pump problem. I've had the same issue with my former Z3, Jeep Wrangler and Caddy SRX. But only at one particular pump at one Fred Meyer's station. Yep, I checked it on purpose.....

[rking117]

our tanks are sealed and can cause this on some fuel filler pumps. not an issue.