Gas Filling Issue

I’ve had an issue with my Tacoma. Just purchased a few weeks ago. A similar issue to what others have commented on in this thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/overfilled-gas-twice.738756/

I drove the truck all over the west last week for a camping trip. I’d set the gas pump to autofill and the pump would click off but just after overfilling and gas would run down the side of the truck.

So I get back into town and take it right to the dealership. Lone behold, they can’t recreate the issue at Sinclair. It’s happened at Town Pump, Loves, Flying J….you name it. Apparently the techs don’t know what’s causing the issue. They have video proof that it didn’t overflow like I’ve experienced (stupid of me, but I never got a video myself). I’ve asked to see a picture of the valve flapper to make sure that it’s closed. I’m assuming if the valve is closed when they stick the scope down that it’s an issue with venting.

Heres my dilemma. I just purchased this vehicle and it’s under 3/36k warranty until 8/24/2024. I need to get this tank replaced before warranty runs out. What am I supposed to do? Is it typical if I take it to a dealership to charge a diagnostic fee if they can’t figure out the issue?? It’s clear that they sold me a vehicle with an issue and I’m pretty peeved that 1. They did this and 2. They can’t figure the issue out.

What do I need to tell them to troubleshoot this issue further? Do I have recourse to not pay this bs fee? I’ll be taking the truck to a dealer in Denver instead of where I purchased this truck in the future…

Any help is appreciated! Love the truck…hate the stealership.

 

Welcome to TW!

Assuming you’ve already spoken to the sales manager and one above them. If not, that’s your next move.

Mentioning camping and such makes it difficult in this case, as they may consider that “off-roading”. If there was no such thing, regardless you’re still under warranty and I would push them to fix it. If not, next step is corporate. Get a video of this happening when you do it with date and time to show proof. Good luck!

 

It sounds like a few others had dealers that don’t understand or won’t help. Find one that will scope the tank and find the faulty vapor valve stuck open. You shouldn’t have to show a video though that helped someone there too. So scope, video or find another dealer. Keep doing that.

 

Thanks for the advice and the warm welcome. No off roading to be had on this trip, but soon . Unless you consider forest roads.

 

You can take it to any Toyota dealer while it's still under new car warranty. Obviously do it soon before warranty runs out instead of looking for solution on a forum.

 

Real helpful. It’s at the dealership now.

 

Anything not on pavement, to those that don’t Offroad would consider it Offroad. Good luck looks like you’re getting a dealership to look at it now.

 

Welcome Slypie!

Please post the results of why it happened.

Also, they charged a diagnostic fee for a vehicle with an issue that is covered under warranty?! WTF type of dealer was that? Be cordial and ask them to waive it because the problem is covered under warranty, else call Toyota corporate to get the fee waived.

Thanks and good travels!

 

Document the issue
Video the issue prior to the end of warranty, and provide them with the videos and a chance to remedy the issue

 

Thank again everyone. Appreciate the help.

They charged me for the diagnostic fee. I also had to get a rental from Enterprise. What kind of dealership you say? A greedy one. I have been very cordial and respectful through all of these conversations. It is a problem happening to MY truck after all.

The mechanic I was working with told me to get a video of this happening and they’ll replace the gas tank. Apparently he’s been in conversation with an engineer at Toyota and this has never happened to a 2021 TRD OR from my plant…allegedly. So I’m running the tank down and will replicate the issue for them. This time, if I can provide a video, I’ll get a free gas tank. Just need to drive 2 hours to the dealer who’s been doing the troubleshooting and where I made the purchase.

I’ll be calling Toyota corporate to get the fee waived and hopefully reimbursement for the rental car. I’ve escalated this problem at the dealership but management is less than ideal to work with. The service advisors and mechanics have been pretty good and even if they have been a bit patronizing at times.

Things are looking up. I’ll report back when my taco has been fixed. Thanks again!!

Edit: grammar.

 

There's 3 possibilities, and if I couldn't replicate the issue I'd at least try one of them. Borescope camera down the neck would be first step.

1: The fuel neck, something foreign in the neck or something irregular

3: The flapper is stuck. It's built into the tank and is a strong possibility.

2: The vent valve is misbehaving, but this doesnt make a lot of sense because I've had the valves disabled and open and this doesnt happen.

 

Thanks brother. I believe you made suggestions like this in previous posts. I took from your expertise when talking to the mechanic. So, much appreciated. He used a borescope and got pictures. The tank was so full at the time and it didn’t seem to show much. I’ve also talked about the other points with the mechanic. No codes, nothing wrong with the pressure when they runs tests. So I’m assuming that would rule out vent value issues…plus it fills up and isn’t kicked off every 2 seconds.

I’m at a loss to what the actual problem is. I’m still thinking it’s the inlet flapper, but like I said the pictures the mechanic took weren’t very helpful.

I could take it to another place but they’ve guaranteed me an entirely new tank if I can show the overfilling issue.

 

Following up with the resolution. The dealership replaced the tank and didn’t charge for labor or the part (I still had to pay for the original diagnostic test, I’ll be taking this up with Toyota corporate).

I filled up the tank and the issue seems to be resolved.

Thanks for the advice, still loving the truck.