Gas pumps, and people who ignore them
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Certified GM nut
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 20
From: New Milford, CT


I was waiting in line at the gas station and watched some lady'* Honda SUV in the next lane. She had the pump filling her tank, but while she was watching the numbers, her tank overflowed but the pump kept going. Gas was shooting out everywhere, and despite everyone yelling and honking at her, it was a good 15-20 seconds before she finally turned around and saw the mess. She ran over and released the trigger, then took a napkin and closed her gas cap before quickly driving off. The attendant went behind her and put some cones down to block that lane.
That raises a question I've always wondered: what causes the gas pump to shut off when the tank fills? Fuel tank pressure?
That raises a question I've always wondered: what causes the gas pump to shut off when the tank fills? Fuel tank pressure?
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,539
Likes: 18
From: Purgatory, Pennsylvania

That make me laff hard.
Gasoline nozzles have a small hole at the end that becomes blocked when gasoline rises to the top of the tank. Once this happens, the pressure drops inside a valve system built into the pump. This cuts off the gas flow. The state inspector that puts the little approved sticker on every pump in service each year is suppose to checks this failsafe as well as the calibration. All to often these days they just drive around on their rounds putting the stickers on and prolly using the extra time for themselves. I have had more and more instances of it happening myself and very careful about listening for gas to start coming up the fill tube in my GXP. Pisses me off severely when I get gas on my candy paint because of it.
Gasoline nozzles have a small hole at the end that becomes blocked when gasoline rises to the top of the tank. Once this happens, the pressure drops inside a valve system built into the pump. This cuts off the gas flow. The state inspector that puts the little approved sticker on every pump in service each year is suppose to checks this failsafe as well as the calibration. All to often these days they just drive around on their rounds putting the stickers on and prolly using the extra time for themselves. I have had more and more instances of it happening myself and very careful about listening for gas to start coming up the fill tube in my GXP. Pisses me off severely when I get gas on my candy paint because of it.
ya that'* happened to me quite a few times in the past year. really not helping the fuel door rot issue the 2000+ bonnies have mine is bad enough as is. most times it happens to me at the gas stations in front of walmart
I balancee watching the guages listening waiting for the gurgle....That and i know what it takes to fill er up...im not one to put a few bucks in here and there......full-1/4 tank-full-1/2tank-full-ect ect






