Now that the weather has cooled off here in NY, I feel the need to update this thread.

Looks like RebelRacing may have been right after all - I already apologized for a miscommunication earlier - but now it's time to eat some more crow and say that his hypothesis looks to be correct.

Since the air temperature has come down, I have not had this issue crop up at all - it has totally gone away.

Seems the air temperature plays a role - possibly allowing for faster expansion of vapors from the fuel as it enters the tank, tricking some of the more sensitive pumps into clicking off like the tank is full.

Cooler air temp = less vapors = uninterrupted fill-ups.

Good job, Rebel. You just might be the Professor after all.

~HH

 

Move to Canada, never worry about "warm" temperatures again.

Actually, I encountered this problem once at a Sunoco station. Had driven till the fuel light came on; the pump clicked at the half mark. If memory serves me, it wasn't warm out.

I've used that same pump couple times since and haven't had the problem. But I also haven't ran the tank till the light comes on; usually fill once I'm around the last quarter mark.

Oh, and I've use 87 octane ever since. I do make a conscience decision to fill up with ethynol mixed gas though. Gives that nice alcohol tinge to the exhuast smell. Hmmmm mmm..

 

Even though it may be temperature related, I think you're right about it being part of the design of the car and the nozzle. In my friend's taurus, it has similar problems, and it seems if you hold the nozzles different angles it helps. Those nozzles with the really long rubber padding on them (pollution control?) seem to cause a lot of problems for his car too.

But next time it warms up, I'd ask the dealer if they can do something for it, because usually cars don't have a problem with it regardless of the other factors.

 

Only problem is, that by the next time I encounter the issue, I should be well past the 50,000 mile warranty.

I'm at about 37k now, in a little under a year and a half.

Since I DID find that only certain stations do this, I'd say it's a combination of the car and the pumps. Some stations click off early, others don't - but only in warm weather it seems. It's not brand related, and I think it's just coincidence that a few of these stations are right near my house.

Oh well - not a big deal, just a minor nuisance. I will bring it up at the dealer before 50k, just to let them check it out. Whattayagonnado?

~HH