I searched but could not find any information on this so I apologize if I missed something. We are a 2-MINI family, have MINI's #5 & 6 in the garage and love(d) all of them. I am currently driving our 2012 Countryman S Manual (non-All4) and other than the cupholders my only complaint is trying to get gas in the tank. I've tried different stations & pumps but with the same result:

With 300 miles on the tank I can get two, maybe three gallons in the tank before it clicks off and then I can get maybe 10¢ or 20¢ in the tank between clicks. It's taking 20 minutes to get fuel in the car. Anyone else?

Local dealer's service advised they've never seen it but if I can drop it off and leave it they'll look at it. I'd like to get some feedback before doing that...thanks in advance.

 

You may already know this, but that little hole at the bottom of the end of the nozzle is the shutoff. When that hole is covered from air (such as when the fuel level hits the end of the nozzle), it shuts off. I can only think that something in the filler neck is blocking that hole. And with 300 miles on the tank, I doubt it's fuel, unless there is some issue with the overflow. I don't know Countrymans (countrymen?), but my first reaction would be to try filling with the nozzle at a different angle, such as the trigger part to the rear of the car. Or maybe try filling with the nozzle not fully sealed against the filler neck.

 

Good points. I've tried holding the nozzle out about 2" and with the trigger/handle turned up toward the rear of the car but same repeated shut-offs. I was hoping to avoid dealer down-time but may have to do that this week or it's not going to be fun hanging out at the gas pump at the dragon. Thank you

 

Good luck. That has to be extremely frustrating. I already hate stopping for fuel in general. When I moved on from my TDI to my Cooper, I went from 600 miles per tank to 360. But each mile is a lot more enjoyable. I've gotten over it.

 

no such problem with my countryman s all4

when the nozzle "pops", i can squeeze in maybe another half gallon til the fuel is right up in the neck

scott

 

Wow - this sounds like an interesting, but certainly not typical, problem.

Please let us know what you find out! Inquiring minds want to know...

 

Thanks. I guess I'll try to get it into the dealership next week & will let you guys know what I find out.

 

Just turn the nozzle 90 deg - so that the handle is horizontal rather than vertical.

 

The fuel shutoff for the pump may be overly sensitive. You don't state whether this happens at ANY pump from which you get gas...try a few pumps at different stations and let us know.

 

just as a side note, its not good to "top" off the countryman as its fuel emmisions and vapor canistors can flood if you over fill the tank. if you read your owners manual it will tell you not to top off the tank.


anyway getting to the point, depending on the gas stations and their flow rate of the pump you can trigger a shutoff as the tank back pressure triggeres a false shuttoff.

it happens to certain cars more than others, i have a station i go to here that triggers a shut off every 40 cents, other stations never have a problem.

also angle of the nozzel in your pipe can also cause a shut off. make sure the angle is straight with your fuel tube if the agle is off its like skirting a hose off agle in a tube youll cause back pressure which will cause a shut off. everything should run in line with eachother.

 

Just to interject here. It is best to not TOP off the fuel when filling. Once the nozzle clicks off, leave it. The tank needs the extra room to breathe correctly.
Just saying.
I used to do that but if you do some deep checking you'll hear what I'm saying is correct.

 

While that's a good general rule, my MINI manual says to click-off two more times after the pumping initially stops - must be a recognition of the small CM tank...

 

Leave it to Mini to throw another wrench into the equation. LOL

 

Well, it sounds like the problem isn't typical among NAM members... but I'll tell you you're not alone. I have had the same problem for the past 8 months. At first it filled up fine, but then this issue started occurring around the 13,000 mile mark. To make things more curious, it started immediately after (1) I had my first service and (2) ran out of fuel the next day (as documented elsewhere on NAM). It happens at every gas station I go to, so it's not an issue with a particular station's pumps.

I reported the problem to my dealer, they checked it out and couldn't find any reason why it's shutting off early and keeps shutting off.

For those who don't have this problem, this isn't related to "topping off." The dang thing shuts off the fuel after 4, 5, maybe 6 gallons and I have to go through several shutoff/restart cycles to get it to full capacity.

 

The very first time I re-fueled I set the lever lock and stepped back. Within seconds it clicked off. Ever since I just stand there and hold it not quite all the way open with no problems. 10 or 12 gallons doesn't take all that long to load anyway. Give it a try without locking the lever or squeezing it all the way.

 

Can you get around the problem by running the pump slower? I have a similar issue with my Porsche in cold weather, and if I run the pump at the slowest speed it does not shut off prematurely.

 

Mine did that last weekend. Same gas station as always. Pumps here have no locks, you have to hold it open.

Hoping it doesn't happen again.

 

Thanks for the input. I thought I was clear in my original post. I've tried different stations & different pumps but with the same results. More about my fuelling habits:

1) I never click the nozzle-lock. I always pump slowly to allow the air to exit so that the air in the tank doesn't force the fuel to bubble out all over me or my car.

2) I know all about the "Do not top off your tank". This isn't my first MINI and it's not a unique requirement of MINI.

I stopped for fuel this morning. With 243.4 miles on the tank I got 2.17 gallons in before the nozzle clicked off. I was holding the nozzle at a 45 deg angle, pumping slowly, with the black rubber guard about 2" from the neck of the filler-tube. While I would like to believe my Countryman S was capable of 120 mpg, let's get real. It took 20 more minutes and I gave up when I got 4.17 gallons.

I'm going to make an appointment with the dealer service department as soon as they can take it. According to my Service Advisor there could be a sensor in the tank that is faulty. I'll post an update if/when we figure this out. Thanks again for your input.

 

[QUOTE=DooBahDoo;3497715]While I would like to believe my Countryman S was capable of 120 mpg.

What? Your's doesn't get 120 mpg? (just kidding)

"According to my Service Advisor there could be a sensor in the tank that is faulty. "

I think your service advisor has a stuck valve with that diagnosis...

I feel your pain re: slow fills. I have an M5 an it had similar issue at new & at 60k. Turns out vent tube collapsed when I ran fuel level down to around 2 gals (or lower) and it never retracted back to original size. Dealer replaced vent tube hose both times and cured the issue. My bet dealer will replace vent tube or find it's pinched somewhere along the line.

 

my miata used to click off after a few seconds of filling. repeatedly. drove me nuts.

so I tried flipping the nozzle upside down (the miata is a top mounted filler hole, so no big deal) and it made a big difference.

then the problem just sort of stopped. occasionally it'll click off early so I've gotten into the habit of filling through a couple of click-offs just because.

See if you can achieve a better result with the handle upside down. it may not fix the problem but at least make it bearable until you do.

 

My SA said not to top off my Mini. Now I'm totally confused..... (haven't had this problem though - fingers crossed!)

 

Almost all manufacturers tell you not to top off because you can possibly flood the vapor canisters etc, for the emissions. If you go one or two clicks past the first auto "click off" you'll be ok. Just don't brim it to the gas cap. Fuel expands when it gets warm. So manufacturer states this to account for expansion.

 

I had an old cabin cruiser boat with this problem. There was a airvent that would it's screen plugged with spider web, or boat wax, soap scum etc. I would have to clean this out every season or it would take me over an hour to fill a 50 gallon tank, or spill gallons of fuel into the harbor...

Not sure about how the CMan is set up, but wondering if their is a vent tube or screen that is clogged. I have noticed that my CMan is one of the slower filling cars. Used to have SUV and pickups with tank pipes like the Lincoln Tunnel.

 

[QUOTE=Mical;3497768]I'm going to drop it off tonight and let them play with it tomorrow. We don't have the best Service Advisors...this guy said they may have to replace the tank. WTFO? Thanks again for the input...I'll let you guys know.

 

It is scary when an SA tells you something you know is incorrect. I guess it's ok so long as the technician actually working on your car knows better