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OK - I'm almost embarrassed to post this, but thought there might be some rational explanation out there. In the last 2 days I have been unable to fill my gas tank. Any pump (I've tried many) will shut off like the tank is full(it?s 1/2 full- ~200 miles since fill up). I've tried running the pump as slow as possible and nothing! Is the tank pressurized? Could there be something causing back pressure? Visual inspection shows nothing blocking the pipe - and it's very unlikely someone stuffed something down there.
I normally do most of my own maintenance but screwing with the gas tank is a bit out of my comfort area. Any help would be appreciated otherwise I'm off to the dealership ? I can see their faces now?.
Thanks!
1998.5 SVT
1998.5 SVT
Mods:K&N Filter,Resonator removed
Soon:Brake upgrade
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Posts: 2,112
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It's a common problem. The fix consists of a new filler neck and flapper valve (IIRC). ------------------ Louis Wang Austin (Aug-May)/Sugar Land, TX 1998 Black E0 #3826, lightly modded
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,447
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Happened on both Contours my family owns (95Gl w/2.5 and my 00 SVT) common porblem, I think it was a recall, but not sure. Check with your local dealer or maybe someone on the board knows if it was a recall.
2000 SVT Contour #1077/2150 MSDS Headers/B&M Shifter/H&R's/
1995 Contour SE V6 #????/Tons KnuProject, awaiting mass mods
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Joined: Jun 2000
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As far as I know, there has never been a recall on the fuel filler neck, but it is a very common problem that NHTSA was investigating.
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'98.5 Mystique GS ATX/re-contented door lights/K&N Filter/Energy Suspension Sway Bar Bushings/Mintex Street Pads/high-beam bulbs in low-beams/Pioneer DEH-P3100 receiver/Pioneer TS-A6855's in all doors/removed ding gaurds
Justin
'02 Ranger Edge ext cab
Retired: 98.5 Mystique
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Originally posted by 4cylmys:
As far as I know, there has never been a recall on the fuel filler neck, but it is a very common problem that NHTSA was investigating.
It exists as a TSB. I doubt it'll ever be a recall item, it's not really a safety issue, it's just annoying. ------------------ Louis Wang Austin (Aug-May)/Sugar Land, TX 1998 Black E0 #3826, lightly modded
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Thanks for the info - glad to hear it's normal occurrence - hopefully the dealership will be familiar with it. How long did this take at the dealership for those that had it fixed? I'm hoping to call ahead today and have them order the parts. Maybe they won't need the car there for a whole day?
1998.5 SVT
Mods:K&N Filter,Resonator removed
Soon:Brake upgrade
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Unless you have the extended warranty, it'll cost too much. The part is $9 but requires that the muffler and fuel tank be dropped in order to replace it. (faulty engineering, anyone?)
The explanation that I got is that when it gets warmer, the fuel vapor builds up and makes the sensor on the pump read "full" incorrectly. Possible solutions: 1) get shafted by the dealership and pay $300-400 for a $9 part, 2) fill up the tank in the morning when it is cooler, 3) shove an old antenna down the pipe to relieve pressure before filling up.
It freaked me out the first time too, but now I just fill up in the morning on the way to work.
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'98 SVT
KKM / TH fix / Mobil 1 / Synth tranny cocktail / JVC LX-30 HU / 10" JL sub / Alpine V12 amp / Panther 199 wheels / Kuhmo Ecsta 215/45/17
'98 SVT
KKM / TH fix / Mobil 1 / Synth tranny cocktail / JVC LX-30 HU / 10" JL sub / Alpine V12 amp / Panther 199 wheels / Kuhmo Ecsta 215/45/17 / Bosch +4 / Ford Motorsport wires
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Joined: Apr 2001
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I had it too, and the problem has mostly gone away. Try to find pump nozzles that do not have a sort of hood that covers the opening. Also that do not come on too fully. You may have already tried different nozzle positions?
'98 SE V-6 5-spd ASB Silver stock
48K miles in May '02
Like it for Oregon coast canyons!
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Joined: Apr 2001
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Also look at "AFN" posting on 4/27/01. Same problem.
'98 SE V-6 5-spd ASB Silver stock
48K miles in May '02
Like it for Oregon coast canyons!
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Tell your dealer the fuel pump handle shuts off frequently and ask them to perform TSB 98-15-3. This is covered by the 3/36 warranty. On some 1998 Contiques/1999 Cougars, the flapper valve at the base of the fuel filler neck can swell and stick in place when exposed to gasolines containing ethanol. TSB 98-15-3 addresses this very issue. I had it performed ~6 weeks ago after damned near getting stranded due to not being able to fuel my SVT! The repair has worked like a charm. [rant mode]Be advised the dealership will likely treat this as a "Check Engine Light" problem. If the emissions techs at your dealership are backlogged (as they were at my friendly Ford dealer), it will take a while before they can get to you. They are also likely not to have the parts in stock. In my case, calling to make an appointment A WEEK AHEAD OF TIME to ensure they'd have the parts ready did not work. I was told after learning I couldn't get my car back the same day that "we have to verify the problem before ordering parts." I ranted about this before in this forum.  [/rant mode] ------------------ //> //> //> //> //> Garrick Houston, TX E0, Silver
//> //> //> //> //> Garrick Silver E0, #3895 of 6535, built 10/2/97 She's stock. Why mess with a good thing? 
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