HLCinCOU

Hi everybody. Had an issue the other day fueling my 997.2 and wanted to see if anybody had seen something like it.

I went on a long trip this week, about 1600 miles in 5 days. Mostly I fueled up pretty regularly around half a tank, but on one occasion I went far enough to get it down pretty low; enough that it flashed up the "check range" warning (probably around 1/8 tank or a bit more). I stopped shortly after, started pumping gas and went inside for a bio break. Came back out and saw the pumping was done but didn't actually look at how much I had put in. Once I got on the road I saw that it had apparently been a negligible amount. So I stopped at the next exit to fuel again, and this time paid attention. I would start the pump, and it would click off as though it was full almost immediately. Like maybe 0.1 gallons pumped. I tried using both notches on the handle, and also just holding it manually; same result. I kept at it for several minutes, and eventually on like the 25th try it kept going until full.

I'm not sure whether I just finally got it positioned exactly right, or whether I finally got enough gas into the tank, or what. In fact I don't have any real evidence that the amount of gas was the cause, except that's the only time I've had it that low. Anyway since that time I've fueled it several more times, never less than half a tank left, and had zero problems.

Any thoughts?

MexicoBlueTurboS

Probably a bad pump handle.

Right after I bought my TTS and stopped for the 2nd tank of gas on a 2000 mile road trip back home the CEL light came on. First thought - "I've been taken. They sold me a dying horse" I called the seller and he knew the issue right away. "Did you tighten the gas cap until it clicked?"

"Uhhhhhhh... it that a thing?"

Tightened it up and the light stayed on for most of the trip home but finally cleared after the 5th or 6th fill up.

Wolfk

I normally run my car down to the "check range" level, and have issues refueling as you have stated, especially with nozzles with vapor boot. Positioning fill nozzle 180 deg from normal does the trick for me.

Bruce In Philly

2009 C2S 137K miles

Never a fueling problem like that. I have had sensitive pumps, particularly when really empty.... but who knows, that is so rare I can't really draw a reliable inference.

Peace
Bruce in Philly

HLCinCOU

Well, it would have to be two bad pumps at two different gas stations. Suppose it's possible...

Ok, sounds like I'm not the only one. These didn't have vapor sleeves, but if I run into it again I'll definitely try your upside down trick. Thanks for the tip.

Balr14

Empty tanks trap more vapor. I've run into that many times, on different cars. Some pumps are very sensitive. Just pull the nozzle out a little and pump slowly for a couple gallons.

doclouie

Normally I do not have an issue refueling, but every now and again, usually when traveling, I have this issue. Hold it 180 degrees and it always fill correctly. Jeeps are the same way.

jamesinger

As mentioned above, when I first got my C2S, I had some eccentric fueling issues (e.g. turning off after short amounts and not filling to full). For the first few months I just turned the nozzle 180 degrees and would hold it there but I got tired of doing that and got the Porsche vapor sleeve thingy and have 0 issues since. I always wait until my light goes on to get gas.

HLCinCOU

Could you provide more info on the "vapor sleeve thingy" please? Really just curious; I expect I'll use some combination of the upside-down pump and just not letting it get low, but I'm interested in knowing more...

jamesinger

NO! GOOGLE IT!!
THERE ARE 500000000 THREADS ON THIS!!!!
jk.

https://www.suncoastparts.com/product/PK9X7NOZZLE.html

IDK if it is really called a "vapor sleeve." ...but I was having pop off issues beyond it just filling to 3/4 around Los Angeles and when I googled it, this OEM part is what I was led to. I got it and never had the issue again. A bit OT but I don't like standing near the pumps or nozzles. I feel like the vapors are kind of strong and I try to stand as far away as possible without being weird. I don't have a scientific exposure theory or anything but I just don't like standing right next to the nozzle while my car is fuelling, so when it was having popoff issues, it was a bit annoying because I would be standing next to the DS door or something. Then, the whole time I was holding the nozzle at 180 degrees, I was smelling the vapors and thinking about how I would rather not be...

HLCinCOU

LOL, thanks for the link. I did try to google it before asking, but somehow just got a whole bunch of clothing results. Anyway, interesting stuff. And for $10, maybe I'll just do it.

JustinCase

This is a known old problem that has been discussed on Rennlist years ago. The fix (180* upside-down nozzle) is pretty well known, as is the OEM ring that lets the air leak around to prevent locking up. I got my ring in 2012 for free as part of Porsche maintenance (i.e., I asked them to give me one if I would have my maintenance performed there). Ironically, I don't use this ring any more because most pumps work fine. So I have reverted to using the 180* approach when I am traveling out of the area on the rare occasion I get a nozzle that doesn't work right. Note: The nozzles that used to give me problems at stations I frequent have all been upgraded and no longer have that problem.

HLCinCOU

Well I wasn't around here years ago, so now it's been discussed again and is even more well known.

When I had my issue, I was in rural TN, using decidedly old-school pumps with no vapor reclamation whatsoever. So I would wager it's a slightly different variation on the problem. But now, in characteristic form, I've read a bit on vapor reclamation systems and how they work, and it's really interesting stuff. Not exactly super useful knowledge, but I'm an aficionado of not very useful knowledge, so it has been fun. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge.

Petza914

Seems like the issue usually occurs in CA. Upside down handle and fill ring is the solution. I've never had it happen in either of my 997s in the SE states in which I drive.

Fahrer

There are numerous manufacturers of nozzles ( OPW and Husky are common) and the nozzle brand fitted to any station may have to do with the supplier to the region or the gasoline brand of the station. Different brands of nozzles can have somewhat different configurations which may affect filling behavior.