2004 Fuel Tank Problem

spunky1 · 09-17-2006, 05:07 AM

Hello,

I have a 2004 regular cab, 4 cylinder Tacoma. All of a sudden, I am unable to fill the fuel tank like I used to. When filling, the tank acts like it is full or obstructed. I have to pull the fuel nozzle way out and trickle the gas in or the fuel will back up in the neck and shut off the nozzle. It can take 15 minutes or more to fill from empty. Does anyone know what the cause of this could be?

Banshee · 09-17-2006, 10:39 AM

Nothing I can think of off the top of my head. Get some friends or family and pull the bed off and remove the filler hose and see what is causing it.

mazutoytaco · 09-17-2006, 02:31 PM

I always thought that the sensor was in the hand pump not the filler hose. But I could be wrong about that.

spunky1 · 09-18-2006, 06:08 PM

Is it possible there is a check valve or anti-syphon valve at the inlet to the fuel tank?

I guess I will have to bite the bullet and take the truck back to the dealership.

Tukohmah · 09-19-2006, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spunky1

Hello,

I have a 2004 regular cab, 4 cylinder Tacoma. All of a sudden, I am unable to fill the fuel tank like I used to. When filling, the tank acts like it is full or obstructed. I have to pull the fuel nozzle way out and trickle the gas in or the fuel will back up in the neck and shut off the nozzle. It can take 15 minutes or more to fill from empty. Does anyone know what the cause of this could be?

Does it happen eveytime or just the once?

Do you stick the nozzle all the way in? if only half way and you squeeze the trigger full, it'll back flow right back in the nozzle tripping it as full..

When it's empty and you unscrew the gas cap do you here air escaping? gas tank should be pressurized..

Do you have a CEL/MIL ?

spunky1 · 09-19-2006, 06:42 PM

It happens all the time. I have tried sticking the nozzle all the way in, as far out as possible and everywhere in between. I haven't noticed air escaping when I remove the gas cap, but I don't know that for sure. I've owned the truck about 6 months and I could fuel it like any other vehicle prior to this problem.

One day I tried to fuel up and the pump kept shutting off. I blamed the pump and went to another service station, but I had the same result at the next station. I've never seen anything like it. I was hoping to fix it myself, but I have no idea what is wrong so I am going to take it back to the dealership. Of course, this happed when I was 700 miles over 36,000.

What is a CEL/MIL?

mazutoytaco · 09-20-2006, 12:46 AM

CEL = check engine light

Tukohmah · 09-20-2006, 03:38 AM

Quote:

What is a CEL/MIL?

Malfunction Indicator Light

Quote:

I have no idea what is wrong so I am going to take it back to the dealership.

Keep us updated.

TheMaster · 11-12-2006, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spunky1

It happens all the time. I have tried sticking the nozzle all the way in, as far out as possible and everywhere in between. I haven't noticed air escaping when I remove the gas cap, but I don't know that for sure. I've owned the truck about 6 months and I could fuel it like any other vehicle prior to this problem.

One day I tried to fuel up and the pump kept shutting off. I blamed the pump and went to another service station, but I had the same result at the next station. I've never seen anything like it. I was hoping to fix it myself, but I have no idea what is wrong so I am going to take it back to the dealership. Of course, this happed when I was 700 miles over 36,000.

Hey Spunky1,

Just ran into this thread now. Too bad you are MIA. You should visit often dude and so should I. It appears you are having a venting problem such as a blocked or kinked vent tube

When you are filling an empty or partially empty vessel, the air occupying the empty portion of the vessel must be evacuated simultaneously or allowed to escape in order for another liquid to occupy the space the air was already occupying. It appears your tank is not venting properly and the air displacement is occurring deep down through your filler port, which is obstructed by the gas nozzle and the new gasoline entering the tank.

The vent nozzle, if I remember this right terminates in and around the gas filler port. Your vent pipes along with excess fuel return should be all clumped together around the sending unit on top of the tank. This is assuming your fuel pump is in the tank. You’ll have to drop the tank and follow the tubes to trouble shoot. If your truck was off roaded and sank in the mud, I would suspect one of the above conditions. Look for any obstruction of a small port around the filler port before you drop the tank since dropping the tank is a pain-in-the-neck kind of job. The vent pipe may even terminate about 2 to 3 inches inside the filler port. It just occured to me, the vent pipe has to terminate within and NOT outside the gas tank containment system or you'll smell fumes all the time and your gas would evaporate causing a safety hazard. It should terminate above the trap door which the gas nozzle pushes down upon entry. If you try to look at the filler port from underneath the truck, you will probably see the vent tube's exit point. See where it terminates and clear the obstructions, if any. Let us know what happens. Good luck.

gmd0013 · 10-12-2007, 05:12 PM

I have a 05 Tacoma and have the same exact fueling issue. I am so needing help. The check engine light is on and the codes are for the the speedometer and the thermostat, both which appear to be working fine. Anyone have any insight?

007Tacoma · 10-14-2007, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmd0013

I have a 05 Tacoma and have the same exact fueling issue. I am so needing help. The check engine light is on and the codes are for the the speedometer and the thermostat, both which appear to be working fine. Anyone have any insight?

What do the codes say exactly?

spunky1 · 10-14-2007, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmd0013

I have a 05 Tacoma and have the same exact fueling issue. I am so needing help. The check engine light is on and the codes are for the the speedometer and the thermostat, both which appear to be working fine. Anyone have any insight?

My slow fueling problem was an obstruction in the tank. Apparently, someone put a sticky tape substance like a packaging tape into my filler neck and it gummed up the works. The dealership cleaned it all out and $180 bucks later I was good to go again.

linkfeeney · 10-14-2007, 04:59 PM

tacoma problem is the expose fuel tank..
anyone can open it and put anything in or out of it..
they should have the push button to open the fuel door!!

AUDITECH · 10-14-2007, 06:01 PM

Another thing that can cause this problem is if you over fill your tank to much you will have liquid fuel go into the evap system and glog up you evap charcoal canister. the canister is only designed foe fuel vapor not liquids if it gets to soaked the escaping fumes from you empty tank have no place to go and your pump will keep shuting off.

09-17-2006, 05:07 AM	#1
spunky1 Junior Member Joined: Sep 2006, #38 Location: North Carolina Posts: 5	2004 Fuel Tank Problem Hello, I have a 2004 regular cab, 4 cylinder Tacoma. All of a sudden, I am unable to fill the fuel tank like I used to. When filling, the tank acts like it is full or obstructed. I have to pull the fuel nozzle way out and trickle the gas in or the fuel will back up in the neck and shut off the nozzle. It can take 15 minutes or more to fill from empty. Does anyone know what the cause of this could be?

09-17-2006, 10:39 AM	#2
Banshee The one you are not! Joined: Sep 2006, #7 Location: Seattle'ish, WA Age: 31 Gender: Dude Posts: 961 2008 FJ Cruiser. Sandstorm/White Off Automatic 1GR-FE Maint:Scangauge II. Comms: Cobra 75WXST, Bandi mount, Firestik 3footer. Cargo: Custom storage box for rear cargo area. ARB CKMA12 High Output air compressor (OBA). ARB Winchbar. Warn M8000 Wench	Nothing I can think of off the top of my head. Get some friends or family and pull the bed off and remove the filler hose and see what is causing it. __________________ http://www.treadlightly.org/

10-12-2007, 05:12 PM	#10
gmd0013 Junior Member Joined: Oct 2007, #3022 Posts: 1 Tacoma Longbed 4x4 2005 Double Cab Automatic	Any update? I need help - takes me 30 minutes plus to fuel I have a 05 Tacoma and have the same exact fueling issue. I am so needing help. The check engine light is on and the codes are for the the speedometer and the thermostat, both which appear to be working fine. Anyone have any insight?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
60 miles on the lower quater tank?	sslongmuir	Performance and Tuning	1	10-01-2007 04:05 PM
19.3 MPG for first tank.	smckeown	2nd Gen. Tacomas	47	09-29-2007 11:48 PM
Tune up on a 2004	CutnShootTaco	Performance and Tuning	3	09-04-2007 11:24 PM
2004 Tacoma 2wd to 4wd?? Is it possible?	Norcaliboy22	Technical Chat	10	02-14-2007 01:57 PM
2004 Tacoma TRD	MARKIE	New Members	1	01-10-2007 08:17 AM

09-17-2006, 02:31 PM	#3
mazutoytaco Member Joined: Sep 2006, #4 Posts: 51	I always thought that the sensor was in the hand pump not the filler hose. But I could be wrong about that.

09-18-2006, 06:08 PM	#4
spunky1 Junior Member Joined: Sep 2006, #38 Location: North Carolina Posts: 5	Is it possible there is a check valve or anti-syphon valve at the inlet to the fuel tank? I guess I will have to bite the bullet and take the truck back to the dealership.

09-19-2006, 06:42 PM	#6
spunky1 Junior Member Joined: Sep 2006, #38 Location: North Carolina Posts: 5	It happens all the time. I have tried sticking the nozzle all the way in, as far out as possible and everywhere in between. I haven't noticed air escaping when I remove the gas cap, but I don't know that for sure. I've owned the truck about 6 months and I could fuel it like any other vehicle prior to this problem. One day I tried to fuel up and the pump kept shutting off. I blamed the pump and went to another service station, but I had the same result at the next station. I've never seen anything like it. I was hoping to fix it myself, but I have no idea what is wrong so I am going to take it back to the dealership. Of course, this happed when I was 700 miles over 36,000. What is a CEL/MIL?

09-20-2006, 12:46 AM	#7
mazutoytaco Member Joined: Sep 2006, #4 Posts: 51	CEL = check engine light

10-14-2007, 04:59 PM	#13
linkfeeney Senior Member Joined: Dec 2006, #393 Location: mount laurel, NJ Posts: 536 09 Doublecab TRD Off-rd 2009 Double Cab Automatic v6	tacoma problem is the expose fuel tank.. anyone can open it and put anything in or out of it.. they should have the push button to open the fuel door!!

10-14-2007, 06:01 PM	#14
AUDITECH Carolina Alliance: LAZY DIVISION Joined: Feb 2007, #875 Location: charlotte nc Posts: 347 07 double cab prerunner Automatic 4.0 none	Another thing that can cause this problem is if you over fill your tank to much you will have liquid fuel go into the evap system and glog up you evap charcoal canister. the canister is only designed foe fuel vapor not liquids if it gets to soaked the escaping fumes from you empty tank have no place to go and your pump will keep shuting off.