Does anybody else have trouble refuelling their Fiesta? My old 57 plate Fiesta wasn't a problem but with my 16 plate Fiesta, it seems like if I try to pump more than a trickle, the pump cuts off. The first time, I thought it might be the pump at my local Tesco but then it happened again and again at other places. The last place, I thought I had sussed it out but as I was watching the numbers on the display, I heard the sound of diesel splashing on the ground because the pump had not cut out when the tank was full.

The manual has an illustration of how to position the nozzle in the tank inlet and I have tried to emulate this exactly but as soon as I try to increase the flow rate, the overflow mechanism cuts it off. It's a bit embarrassing taking 10 minutes putting in 5l of fuel. It would be faster to charge a Tesla.

I had the same problem and found that if I put the nozzle in and then pressed down on the handle of the nozzle, pushing it towards the ground, it cured the problem.

I had that on my last Fiesta (2014) eventually it got worse and I couldn't get any fuel in - you could see the internal flap had collapsed - I had it replaced under warranty as it was fairly new at the time.

 

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21 hours ago, Bobr said:

I had the same problem and found that if I put the nozzle in and then pressed down on the handle of the nozzle, pushing it towards the ground, it cured the problem.

Yes, that's what the manual says too but it doesn't seem to work for me.

I was tempted to start a new topic given the learning curve I have been on but it isn't over yet so I'm just updating this one.

The last time I tried to fill up was almost impossible - I could not get anything but a trickle with the pump nozzle in any position - so I set about getting to the bottom of the problem. I found lots of information about issues like this being caused by the EVAP system on other cars and the famous Scotty Kilmer says that the problem can be fixed with a blow of compressed air into a vent pipe. That sounded promising until I discovered that my Gaynes manual does not even mention EVAP or anything like it. I found some videos and information about such systems on Fiestas with instructions on how to replace purge valves but they seem to either be just American models or petrol engines because the pipes shown do not exist in my 16 plate diesel Fiesta.

I then found a video which showed how part of the mechanism in one customer's car had come off and had lodged in the filling pipe and the blockage causing the pump overfill mechanism to trip. I took a good look at mine and then went Google imaging looking for a Fiesta diesel filling neck for comparison and couldn't find anything which looked like mine. So, I thought I'd ask here if anybody could tell me if mine looks right and maybe post a photo of theirs - bearing in mind that those for diesel and petrol will be different in some respect so please only post photos from diesel Fiestas, please.

I have a feeling that something is missing from mine!

The evap system (inc purge valve & canister) is only fitted to petrol cars.  Diesel doesn't evaporate in the tank like petrol does so no need for an evap system on those.

Okay, thanks for that, I considered that but didn't want to assume anything. I still get the feeling that something ain't right about the fuel inlet neck - it doesn't look like anything I can find online and can't help wondering if something like the metal flap I see in many photos hasn't come off and gone down the hole and that is causing a blockage. And if so, unsure what I can do about it short of getting a garage to replace the inlet if not the whole assembly.

I agree it does look weird.  There are a few different systems used though so I was hoping someone else with the same Fiesta would comment.

The top part is available separately.  I think this is the correct one but would recommend double checking with your reg number.

Genuine Ford Fiesta C-Max Ranger Diesel Fuel Filler Neck Inlet Valve 1817232 | eBay

I looked at that exact one and checked with my registration number and it came up as compatible but the surrounding ring looks a different shape. I've seen the whole assembly for the same price and it might be easier just to change the whole lot if the assembly needs to be removed anyway.

My MoT is due soon so I might just ask at the garage for some advice when I take it in.

5 hours ago, Tangerine said:

Okay, thanks for that, I considered that but didn't want to assume anything. I still get the feeling that something ain't right about the fuel inlet neck - it doesn't look like anything I can find online and can't help wondering if something like the metal flap I see in many photos hasn't come off and gone down the hole and that is causing a blockage. And if so, unsure what I can do about it short of getting a garage to replace the inlet if not the whole assembly.

Hi Alf,

For what it's worth I suspect you're right - the fuel filler on yours definitely doesn't look right as there should be a black flap covering the opening. I could try posting a pic of mine if you like, tho it's a mk8 diesel (2018/68) - tho from memory the filler looks very similar to that on my mk7.

🤓

4 hours ago, wordchild said:

Hi Alf,

For what it's worth I suspect you're right - the fuel filler on yours definitely doesn't look right as there should be a black flap covering the opening. I could try posting a pic of mine if you like, tho it's a mk8 diesel (2018/68) - tho from memory the filler looks very similar to that on my mk7.

🤓

Thanks but I'll take your word for it so that you don't need to go to the trouble. It's been this way since I bought it in July (I had trouble on my first fill-up) so I am sure that it was something the previous owner must have known about. Not the first problem - I had to spend £1100 in the first two months getting undisclosed problems fixed.

Hi again Alf,

Goodness... that previous owner has some things to answer for I'd suggest. 

I popped to sainsbury's earlier so was able to snap a pic of the fuel filler on mine, in case it's of help:

Yes, that looks different and quite conceivable that something has gone missing. I've also noticed that whereas there is supposed to be some mechanism to stop the aperture opening without the correct shaped nozzle, I can just put my finger in without any effort. I've tried looking down the spout with an inspection mirror but the mirror is just too big so would need an endoscope which I don't have.

The worst thing was that they claimed that the timing belt had been changed in December 2022 - no paperwork but there was a date painted on the air filter cover with 'BELT CHANGED' but not long after I bought it, warning lights started coming on. I had it looked at and the timing belt was loose and had to be changed again. Three TPMS sensors all failed the day after I bought it (mysteriously!) they were fine on the test run. Plus a few other bits which took it to over £1100.

It was a Gumtree trader and I get the feeling that they had been busy cancelling codes just before I drove it. Anyway, I got caught out but I'm not taking it lying down and taking them to court - maybe they will give an explanation. It just happened that having just paid the last bill, a video from the Black Belt Barrister was recommended on my YouTube account which got me activated:

 

On 2/24/2024 at 11:41 AM, TomsFocus said:

The evap system (inc purge valve & canister) is only fitted to petrol cars.  Diesel doesn't evaporate in the tank like petrol does so no need for an evap system on those.

A bit of a delayed reply but I just glanced down at my Haynes manual and was reminded from the title that it covers both petrol and diesel models - so even though my diesel does not have an evap system, it's a bit odd that there is nothing in the manual for petrol cars. I can actually see the purge valve in the Haynes photo of a 1.6 petrol engine bay, if I'm not mistaken, on page 1A.4 - just below the circled 5 pointing upwards indicating the ignition coil. I could be wrong but it looks just like the purge valve in all the photos and videos I watched before reading your reply pointing out my error.

Anyway, I just ordered a budget endoscope so will have a look to see if there is any blockage in the filler pipe - possibly the bit which seems to be missing in my photo.

I thought I might not get another use out of the endoscope but since ordering it, one of our cats has taken an interest in a cavity under the sink in the bathroom so I'll poke it in there as well!

Hoping that endoscope helps and that your cat isn't leading you to anything too sinister...!

While I think of it - is there a plastic funnel with the toolkit in your car? My mk8 has one and I think mk7s should too as the fuel filler appears so similar. I think it's meant to be used if say you ran out of fuel and had to use a jerrycan to get some juice in.

I have thought about that - though I had to buy one because there wasn't one when I bought the car. I have to say that before I actually try it next time I fill up, I think it might be complicating the issue - it's purpose, as far as I can understand - is to open the anti-interference flap which the fuel pump nozzle does anyway.

Anyway, Royal Mail tell me that it will be arriving tomorrow so once I have put the endoscope down the fuel pipe, I can play at being a doctor!

Well, that was a resounding double-negative!

I put the endoscope down the fuel pipe about 2ft and found nothing blocking the way. I couldn't push it any further because the shape of the pipe made it awkward to manoeuvre the end - the cable is semi-rigid - and I'm evidently a novice piloting these things. I saw some things on the side of the pipe which looked like they might be some kind of sensor - difficult to estimate the size but they were maybe 10:1 length:width. If there was a blockage, I would have expected it in the first couple of inches because fuel pumps click off immediately. As I may have mentioned, it's going for its MoT next week so I'll mention it when I take it in and hopefully, they will have more of a clue than me.

The cavity in the bathroom was also without any informative results. I switched the LEDs off and there was no light coming in so knowing the extent of the cavity, I'm sure there isn't another hole somewhere. The older cat who was most interested is a veteran and prolific mouser but I think that on this occasion, maybe her sensitive ears heard a spider crawling around inside and she lost interest when I bunged up the hole with some improvised toilet paper papier-mâché.

I could have taken photos or videos but I was more focussed (no pun intended) on finding the problem than recording the process.

Another twist in this tale.

My girlfriend has a 15 plate petrol Fiesta. I just took a look at the fuel inlet on her car and apart from not being as deep into the aperture as mine - by a couple of inches - it is identical to the one on my car. She has no trouble refuelling, by the way. I should have looked sooner perhaps but she leaves at the crack of dawn every morning and doesn't get home until after dark this time of year (women with horses!).

So, my head is even more done in. I thought that maybe there was a path worth investigating but who knows...?

9 minutes ago, Tangerine said:

My girlfriend has a 15 plate petrol Fiesta

Diesel and Petrol have a different filler system to prevent misfuelling. You can't compare one against the other.

I know that, I'm really talking about the appearance of the inlet rather than the technical aspect. If you compare my photo (above) with wordchild's (also above) which are both diesel, hers looks more like like mine except, as I said, hers is not so deep.

By the way, just to be pedantic, you can compare petrol and diesel systems - that's how differences (and similarities) are determined.

Then working on your somewhat convoluted logic, have you compared your filler to that on a Nissan Juke just so you can see if that helps with your problem? 🤔

7 hours ago, Tangerine said:

Another twist in this tale.

My girlfriend has a 15 plate petrol Fiesta. I just took a look at the fuel inlet on her car and apart from not being as deep into the aperture as mine - by a couple of inches - it is identical to the one on my car. She has no trouble refuelling, by the way. I should have looked sooner perhaps but she leaves at the crack of dawn every morning and doesn't get home until after dark this time of year (women with horses!).

So, my head is even more done in. I thought that maybe there was a path worth investigating but who knows...?

Hi again Alf,

Thanks for the updates. Think my only two penn'orth is to hope your MoT garage can be of help - as you're having refuelling troubles but your partner isn't, it must be worth investigating, however alike the fuel fillers look. 

But am aware this may be stating the bleedin' obvious... 

🤓

1 hour ago, wordchild said:

Hi again Alf,

Thanks for the updates. Think my only two penn'orth is to hope your MoT garage can be of help - as you're having refuelling troubles but your partner isn't, it must be worth investigating, however alike the fuel fillers look. 

But am aware this may be stating the bleedin' obvious... 

🤓

I've read a lot of articles and watched a lot of videos and one other factor that I haven't really had the opportunity to test is that Tesco pumps tend to cause this more than others - I've only used three places and two of them were Tesco. Where I live, you really have to go out of your way to buy fuel anywhere else (and the nearest Tesco is just over 10 miles away) and the only other place was when I was visiting family 250 miles away and filled up at a Texaco garage for my trip home. That, I remember now, was unusual in that although I had to pump extremely slowly to stop the nozzle cutting out, I overfilled the tank whilst watching the price digits rolling on the pump - I heard it spilling on the ground.

I might try to put a tenner in at another place in the next couple of days when I have to go a bit further afield but it's a really busy station and it is frustrating and embarrassing to refuel so slowly.

Perhaps your girlfriend is a more proficient nozzle handler?  

Seriously though, if you go out together, it may be worth you trying to fill her car or vice versa just in case it is user error.  I never had a problem with Shell, Tesco or Sainsburys pumps personally.  The only problem I had was with one BP station two different times - despite regularly using another local BP station without issue.  Never could understand why as the pumps didn't look noticeably different.