Problems at the pump
 

I'm having a hard time topping off my gas tank.

It goes like this- everytime I fill up, I start by pouring about 8 oz. of Castrol 2-stroke motorcycle oil into the tank. After I swipe my card and select the grade, carefully position the nozzle, I proceed to pump. The problem has two parts; I can't pump the gas at wide open flow and I can't put much more than half a tank in before it automatically switches off. This is usually preceeded by a "gurgling" sound as the fuel rushes up to shut off the pump. I have to pump the last 6-8 gallons at barely a trickle, repositioning the nozzle half a dozen times, so it takes me about 10 minutes to fill all the way up, and even then I stop about 2 or 3 gallons short of full because the last couple are almost impossible to pump.
I've encountered this problem to varying degrees at every different pump/station I've been to over the last year.

I've done the calculations, I know my fuel gauge is semi-accurate, and I don't have a huge dent in the fuel tank.

I've checked the lines on the charcoal canister, trying to determine if there is some kind of pressure problem, but I can't come to any conclusions.

Please share some wisdom with me, this is very very aggavating.

Hmm, not sure why it stops half way. But to answer your 2 gallon problem. If you own an 84 or 85 that normally comes with a 16.8 gallon tank, it may have been replaced with the 14 gallon from a previous year. I don't know why it does that. Have you tried holding back the rubber boot and filling it that way?

Also, I don't think this happens, but does the oil cause a foaming as it mixes?

is there a vent in the gas tank that may be crudded up or liek not venting fumes and like making too much positive preasure and making the pump shut off?? total guess.. :]

This happens to me all_the_time. Some pumps are friendlier than others. It's annoying to say the least.

It happens to me if I jam the nozzle all the way in. FOr some reason keeping it an inch or two out helps.

Happened with my Z car, both ReXes, etc. Maybe a Japanese thing?

Used to happen to me with an 81 ford escort. I think it's a gas conservation thing. If you can't put it in, you can't burn it. :) But seriously, with my rex I've had NO problems with this at all. Also, regarding what Spieder said, I've got a 16 gal tank in my '82, so I'm not sure what years would have had the 14 unless it's farther back than that.

BrianHeston

PS: Since were on the subject, I don't want to hijack the thread but I need to know what years are compatible, Gas Tank wise, with my 82. TIA

Unfortunatly I have the "honor" of being a professional in this field. My advise to you is too position the pump nozzle so its just barely in the filler neck and then gradulally increase the pump speed untill you reach full speed. This should keep the auto shut-off from getting tripped. There are a ton of "regulars" that come into the station that I have to do this with. Its a pain. If that doens't work then I guess your just screwed and will have to keep filling it the same as you currently are. It should work though.
This is sort of related I guess: The 96-99 gross tauras's have a real problem; Ford must have designed the filler opening bad or something cause instead of simply stopping when the auto shutoff is triggered, the nozzle actually shoots out of the car and lands on the ground. It scared the shit out of me the first time it happened. Not all of them do it, but it happenes often enough. Just in case anyone is interested in a little useless gas station trivia :)