Hi All,
I seem to be having an issue when filling my tank. The nozzle doesn't fit right in the tank and the pump keeps shutting off. I end up having to pull the nozzle out a bit so it will work and as a result the pump doesn't shut off and I end up with overflow
I'm told it's the pressure at the gas station on the nozzle but when I fill our other vehicle at the same damn pump it works fine. Anyone else having this problem??? I took it to the dealer and they said they compared it with another Mini and it looked fine. Thanks
k

 

Mine does that at one station in particular. I can rotate the nozzle so that the bottom of the handle (hose connection) is pointing at two or three o'clock and it fills fine at full blast. Try that.

That's nothing. I worked a full service grocery/gas station in high school and one guy had a panel truck that he had installed the gas tank on. The filler hose was routed such that you had to fold the gas hose to crimp it and limit flow, stick it in something to hold it there, and put the trigger on the first click of the auto latch if you wanted to be able to let it fill without holding the lever. It took like twenty minutes to fill his truck. That a-hole always filled up at my store and never went to a self-serve station.

 

I had that problem at a gas station. I ended up doing what you did but it didn't overflow

 

Rotating the handle is a good option. If the nozzle is up against the down turn in the spout the high flow of gas will back up enough to auto shut the nozzle. You can also try slowing the flow rate, but, it is difficult in this instant world!

 

The station I normally fill up at causes me to have to pull the nozzle back out just a little bit to prevent it from cutting off. I have not had an overflow issue though. Just took some practice slowly moving it out bit by bit to get just to the point where it would not cut it off right away.

fwiw, I've had to do similar with other vehicles.

 

So my utter dorkdom is coming out but here goes... when looking at a problem you need to define all the variables and change only one at a time to find where the issue resides. In this situation I can see the variables as: MINIs inherent design, your particular car's characteristics, the way you pump and the particular pump used as variables. Do you only have a problem at this one pump? Did the problem only start to occur recently? Ideally you'd want another MINI to try out at the same pump but that probably isn't possible. As other people have stated if one variable changes (the particular pump your using) sometimes you need to change another variable (the way you pump). I've never had a problem in the majority of states in New England but once or twice in Maine and Nova Scotia, Canada I had to go slowly so that the pump didn't turn off. I'd say what your experiencing is normal unless it starts to become a pattern at a variety of pumps and with other people pumping as well.

 

ya i have had the problem a couple times but more of it keeps shutting off then overflow

 

Whatever the problem is, I doubt it's MINI-specific. It probably has to do with the pump nozzle not being seated properly to create good airflow (thus throwing off the pressure at the shutoff mechanism).

I had one pump a year or so back that just wouldn't fill for more than 3 seconds. I tried something like 10 times to get it to 'stick', but it just wasn't having it. I reversed to the next pump over, and it worked just fine. That was with a '98 Honda Civic.

 

As others, I had the same problem if it were insterted all the way. It would shut off. Pulled it out a bit and no problem. It sounds like the early shut off is a MINI characteristic but your overflow (if pulled out a bit) may be the station's fault.

 

Just go to a different gas stat. or try a diff. pump at the same gas stat...

 

Not to highjack your thread, but does anyone notice the sound of liquid after filling up? Almost like running around after you drink a lot of water?

Mine does this for like 30 seconds after I get gas. Never noticed it on another car.

I'm in NJ, so I can't relate to the OP's question

 

I have had this problem at 2 stations (unfortunately, they're ones close to me with good gas) but have not had it everywhere. I think it is a pump end thing combined with MINI's smallish opening for the nozzle.

It is annoying. I end up filling my gas tank by guestimation as I fear an overflow of gas if I hold the nozzle out too far from the gas opening in my car. That generally leaves me 1-2 gallons shy of truly full.

 

I have tried a number of stations and different pumps at each station. There is the odd time that it works fine but mostly it's a hassle. I'll try the suggestion about turning the nozzle to the right. Good thing we don't have to gas up often
Thanks for you help.

 

I had similar problems at one station with two different cars. They seem to have fixed it now.