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I am having a problem with my fuel tank. No matter on how many miles I drive I can only put around 5 dollars of gas in my car. I've drove from 50 to 240 miles and can still only put in 5 dollars. I can put more in but at a really slow drip. Any clues on what it could be? Also my gas gauge will only read a 1/4 tank no matter how much is in the tank.

Please don't post mechanical problems in General Chat. I'll move this to the proper section for you.


Jack up the left rear, and remove the left rear wheel. Insert a jackstand, and carefully inspect the filler neck between the fuel door and tank for damage, kinks, etc. If that's ok, you may have a blockage in the neck. Is the nozzle restrictor still installed?

I did not see a category for the fuel problem. Sorry. I have not checked anything yet did not know where to start. I am not sure what the nozzle restrictor is. I am going to look at the car when I get home from work tonight.

Thank you

Nozzle restrictor is the littlw metal flap right inside the filler tube hole where you put your gas, sometimes they will get stuck in an awkward position, my wifes explorer does it we just have to stick the fuel nozzle in a little less than normal and all is fine.

I know it is going to sound weird but it seems like when I put the fuel nozzle in the tube all the way it acts like it pushes out a little bit. I have pulled the nozzle out half way and tryed that but the problem is still there.

I would definitely check the fuel filler tube under car to look for kinks then.

There's two tubes, the larger is the filler tube & the smaller is a vent tube. It sounds like the vent tube is plugged or kinked.

I checked both hoses and they are not kincked or plugged, The nozzle restrictor also looks to be in good condition.

Get a piece of hose or tubing and run it down through. You DO have something wrong in there.

It may not be kinked, but chances are the vent tube is plugged, so when you fill the tank, air can't escape, which means fuel can't go in, and the pump thinks the tank full and shuts off. Its almost impossible to find a clog from the outside of the tube. You may have to remove the vent tube and clean it out, or replace it entirely.

I took both hoses off and ran a coat hanger through them and blew air through them, replaced the rubber hoses and took off the nozzle restrictor also opend up the vents a little on the filler tube top, Still having the problem this time I got six dollars in it instead of five. Everything is free of blockage and no kinks. I guess the only good thing out of this is I only busted my knuckle once. HAHA

Is there anything else to check? Is there any vents on top of the tank? Would this be the same problem that is only allowing my gas guage to read 1/4 tank all the time?