Can't put gas in Liberty, please help

[Chris Stack]

Hi all.

Unfortunately, the dealer paperwork is not at all descriptive of what they replaced. Apparently some sort of "vacuum pump" was replaced to cure the check engine light, but they claim it was unrelated to the fueling issue.

That it might have been the gas station did cross my mind, however the only gas station my fiancee ever uses is the one right at the entrance to her subdivision. We tried two different pumps there. Now, maybe all the sudden all the pumps at this station were changed to make them not work, but that seems like an awful big coincidence. However, when it DID work the other night, I was at a different station, so who knows.

Tha's good, at least it wasn't somethin major!

Honestly, we were hoping it WAS something major. This truck has hardly been the picture of reliability (three body computers, ball-joint recall, gas tank issue, all in 18 months), so when something goes wrong I want it to go wrong catastrophically (meaning equipment failure, not safety-wise) so that the parts are REPLACED and we don't have to play this stupid maybe-it's-broken-maybe-it's-not game. The thing's still under warranty, I'll take all the new parts I can get. Now we are left to wonder if maybe the problem will come back (like when we are 350 miles and 6 hours from home at the Wisconsin cabin) and we'll have to deal with it again. Had they ripped it apart and said "Oh, yeah, your gas tank is AFU, we'll replace it," that's a GOOD situation in my book.

 

[rebelram]

I have found that when filling the tank on my KJ, that it does spill out the top when it's full. I was used to just setting the gas pump wide open and then it would kick off when it thought my tank was full. Not on the Jeep! It would pour it out all over the ground and not kick off. What I found is that I could fill it up most of the way running the pump wide open. Then when I knew my tank was getting close to full, I would take the gas pump lever and put it on the lowest notch. Then when the tank really was full it would kick off and I wouldn't spill any fuel. I had this happen at several gas stations, so apparently there is something about the design of the KJ gas tank filler neck that causes gas pumps not to correctly notice when a tank is full. It's somehow pressure related, but I'm not sure if it's because the pumps flow better or because the filler neck on the KJ tank is so short.

 

[Tokyojoe1965]

Mine shuts off before it reaches overflow. In fact, I have to press the lever a couple times if I want to (not recommended) top it off just before it spills out. I place the lever on the highest flow latch and let it go until it shuts off.

You guys must use poorly run fueling stations if their nozzles don't shut off soon enough. I use many differnt stations where I live and of course, when traveling to Ohio. Never had an issue of overflow or not filling up enough.

 

[rebelram]

I have used BP, Shell, Texaco, Citgo, and Kangaroo. All of these were in North Alabama, but the range between some of them is over 100 miles.

In any case, I now know how to fill my Jeep without spilling and making a mess. YMMV.

 

[2003KJ]

I have used BP, Shell, Texaco, Citgo, and Kangaroo. All of these were in North Alabama, but the range between some of them is over 100 miles.

In any case, I now know how to fill my Jeep without spilling and making a mess. YMMV.

I try to run BP in mine at all times...I find I get much better milage (as much as 19mpg AROUND TOWN) with running BP.

 

[J_Kay]

I had this same issue with a 99 Ford Contour. According to the guy I had look at it, he said that there was a vent hose connected somewhere to the tank or filler neck that was tied in a knot. He untied it and I could put more than $5 in at a time. I know that yours just happened all of a sudden, but it might be worth a look.

Justin

 

[Cableguy]

I had this happen at several gas stations, so apparently there is something about the design of the KJ gas tank filler neck that causes gas pumps not to correctly notice when a tank is full. It's somehow pressure related, but I'm not sure if it's because the pumps flow better or because the filler neck on the KJ tank is so short.

I've never had a problem with pumps not shutting off. I always latch them wide open and let them stop by themselves. Even driving cross-country and stopping at all different stations in all different cities/states.

Of course, FL removed all the latches from the pumps, so you have to stand there and hold the thing open the whole time.

 

[02LibertyLimitedChick]

Mine clicks off when it gets full....I personally haven't had a problem with anything fuel related.

 

[Jeger]

Of course, FL removed all the latches from the pumps, so you have to stand there and hold the thing open the whole time.

I have found that a pocket knife is a perfect fit to prop open most gas filler handles, or even a piece of wire to wrap around it works well too. Or you can just get one of the kids to either hold the handle or wash the windows for you. LOL

 

[the_titan]

Of course, FL removed all the latches from the pumps, so you have to stand there and hold the thing open the whole time.

I was wondering about that when I was down there a couple months ago. Every station I went to the thing had been ripped out and I wasn't sure if it was a statewide thing, the individual pump, or the stations themselves.

 

[ratcals]

I have found that when filling the tank on my KJ, that it does spill out the top when it's full. I was used to just setting the gas pump wide open and then it would kick off when it thought my tank was full. Not on the Jeep! It would pour it out all over the ground and not kick off. What I found is that I could fill it up most of the way running the pump wide open. Then when I knew my tank was getting close to full, I would take the gas pump lever and put it on the lowest notch. Then when the tank really was full it would kick off and I wouldn't spill any fuel. I had this happen at several gas stations, so apparently there is something about the design of the KJ gas tank filler neck that causes gas pumps not to correctly notice when a tank is full. It's somehow pressure related, but I'm not sure if it's because the pumps flow better or because the filler neck on the KJ tank is so short.

I hate reviving an old thread but I'm having the exact same problem with my 2006 Liberty. I've only had it for about two months and it doesn't matter where I fill it up it always spills out. If I'm not standing just right it gets on my shoes. As it is I keep hand sanitizer in the Jeep to clean my hands and detailing spray and a cloth to clean it of the bodywork. It doesn't matter how careful I am, it spills everytime. Any ideas? Do you think this is something I should take it to the dealer for or are they just going to take my money while laughing at me?

Thanks.

 

[kjpilot]

Wow, this is an old thread to pop up! I saw the header, & thought, "Can't put gas in the KJ? I can't stop putting gas in the KJ" but I see that I already said that on 4/5/2007... I guess I need a new act.
(deadhorse)