MKT

Whenever my gas tank on my 1999 CLK 430 if not quite empty (warning light not yet on) it is a pain in the *** to fill the tank to completely full as the nosel keeps shutting off due to the fumes or spray or something. In speaking with the dealer they say it is common - so I always wait till the warning light is on - what a pain.

Anyone have suggestions.

KT

Mach430

This happens with A LOT of CLK's, but I don't think it has to do with the level of gas. Sometimes, it literally takes me 15 minutes to fill up my tank. I've always speculated that it has something to do with the angle of the entrance to the gas tank on the CLK; but who knows...

braincuttermd

I have a bad habit of not inserting the nozzle all the way into the tank. I find that if I don't form a tight seal on the nozzle and the tank, then the nozzle won't turn itself off. I think the downside is that some gas fume escapes into the environment, thus contributing to pollution.

Mike

LowRydeR

I get that sometimes too

-Bruce

911Jose

I'd agree with Mach430 where the angle matters. I usually use the same pump at the Mobil gas station I go to and I can usually get it to pump automatically, but sometimes it doesnt work. If I tilt it, sometimes it works.

Timster

I talked to a test and measure guy at the gas station the other day. I would get so frustrated that I couldn’t fill my tank. This is what he told me:
The reason why your car is hard to fill is, when people before you top off their fuel tank the fuel gets sucked up into the vapor line and the vapor return line gets full/stuck. So the pump sensor thinks your car is full and shuts off the flow.
Here's the trick,
Before you insert the nozzle into your fuel take (Point it away from your clothes and your car). Grab the handle pull back on the vapor return sleeve on the handle and let the extra fuel drip out. (Do not squeeze the fuel handle) do not try and dump fuel on to the ground. All you want to do is empty the vapor line not the fuel line.
Be sure not to get any on you. I never have a problem filling my car anymore.
Tim

Mach430

Hmmm... Thanks!

pigman

Union 76 stations give me that problem. Chevron stations work good for me.

theine

That problem has never happened to me, hmmmm...I guess it's because I also use Chevron fuel.

fubar

I have the same experience w/ Union 76 stations. Chevron and most others are fine.
Will try the clear-the-return trick tho anyway.
fubar

byip25

very interesting read... i have had problems myself with various gas stations. i think i believe both theories. i've had the best luck with my gas filling when i adjust the angle of the pump or simply hold the so that the angle is pointing more towards the ground rather than resting and pointing horizontally. most of the time, this seems to work for me as i do also have a 99 clk. lets not get started on the fuel gauge problem....

b

karl k

Filling up a tank has become an Art w/MB cars.

I had the same problem with the SLs.

The 16.4 gal. tank is so small so every drop matters. The SL had a 24 gal. tank and being one gallon short at the fill-up did not matter as much.

I get my gas at Costco.

I "artfully" insert the nozzle 1/4 way, set the auto lever ... and hope for a FULL tank. I usually get it up to 15 gal. +.

Not full,-- but better than 14 gallons in a 16.4 gallon tank, without the artsy/craftsy approach.

Mach430

For those who ignore the label, and top off I usually get an addtional .5 gallons after the click? You?

xyzpl

Boy I must be one of the lucky few.... I've never had problems filling my car... knock on wood...

e_one09

I have this kind of problem sometimes. I might want to try timster's idea to see if the problem can be solved.

DSMIT

THERE IS A VENT VALVE THAT IS STICKING ,IT RELEASES FUEL FUMES INTO THE CHARCOAL CANNISTER.SO NONE ARE RELEASED INTO ATMOSPHERE.
THIS VALVE REPLACMENT IS COMMON.
IT FIXES THE HARD TO FILL COMPLAINT