Hello, I am having problems when filling up at the gas station. I have had to fill the tank twice since I've acquired the car (89 3.2).

First, I cannot "lock" the pump to the on position, it clicks off if I even press the pump more than slightly. So, I'm at the pump forever trickling fuel in. Second, I have no indication of when it is full, so I have to choose whether to not fill all the way, or risk spilling a bit of fuel. Third, little drops of fuel spatter out of the nozzle while fueling, even at a slow rate.

As always, help is greatly appreciated.

 

Assuming you have tried backing the nozzle out an inch or two. This is what I have to do. Perhaps you have a venting issue...

 

Try turning the nozzle either slightly to the left or right (3 or 6 o'clock), or even upside down.

 

If you turn the nozzle upside down, you will not have any issues.
1) Pump will lock into position
2) Pump will shut off when full
3) No spattering fluid drops

I get strange looks then tell them "its German" and they're like "Oh ... OK I get it"

 

Holly Crap, this was the question that introduced me to the Porsche List Way, way back... That was back in the 90s..
That how my buddy Dave who told me about the said described the answer to the same question..

Thanks for the trip down memory lane...

 

I have the same prob. filling my tank. The PO told me about the "tricky gas tank" when I bought it. I've found that some pumps work fine, and then there will be others that click off every 5 seconds. Will definitely try the upside down method at my next fill. Thanks for the tip!

 

I have a brandy new chevron about 1/2 mile from my house...its the only one I can "auto fill" at...I love it.

IMO its the pump and the upside down thingy sometimes works, but looks stupid,,,...

 

yeah rookie question .. rotate nozle 180 degrees and your good to go . i keep forgeting to mention this to first timers

 

I do the same as well to both the 996 and the 3.2. Just awkward sometimes in turning the pump and putting it back being careful not to spill any of the excess fuel from the nozzle.

 

OK, I'll give it a go in another few hundred miles! Can't wait for the odd looks.

Thanks, all...

 

When I learned the trick, of Porsche List, this is what I looked like and the 911 I use the trick on (I still own it..)



And it always works, as long as it is lined up correctly..

 

OK - I'll admit it, after 2 years of ownership I haven't figured this one out either... except there is one pump at one station that works for me. All others don't.

So when you say "upside down" do you mean 180 degree turn? Just want to make sure I have that right.

After I bought the car, someone had told me that I should do a 90 degree turn with the nozzle and that seemed to work until the gas came gushing out when the auto stop didn't work and I had gas all over the car and ground... amazing how much volume those pumps put out. After that mess I have been just nursing it by hand filling up holding the "trigger" and very slowly filling.

Thanks!

 

I do the 180 degree turn. I also find that you should not pump too fast and in going medium to slow, once it stops, you have to stop or it will spill out. If you pump it fast, you don't know if it is actually filled until you start the car.

 

I only have had this problem with the 930. Never the SC's

 

When I picked up the car yesterday the PO went over the entire operation of the car with me and explained the filling procedure thusly: pull the car in with filler cap away from pump then coolly pull the nozzle and hose over the hood and insert. This would seem to have the same effect as rotating 180 degrees. I have not yet tried this and it seems awkward and potentially bad for paint finish with gear draped across the hood.

Also, the PO explained that the weird input was designed to accomodate the fuel cans of yesteryear. This could well be a myth but I like the racing heritage aspect of it so I am gonna run with it.