Gas all over the ground!

[96MystiqueGS]

I was filling up my 2000 Contour and was talking to some one so I didn't notice gas was spilling all over the ground! The gas did not overflow down the outside of the car, but somewhere behind the body panel on the right rear. I'm not sure how much gas made it into the car as my gas gauge doesn't work. The gas pump said 10.95 gallons and it did not look like 11 gallons on the ground, although the wet spot was as big as the car. Not sure why, but the flapper is stuck open. I have searched and read that a flapper stuck closed can overflow gas, but I'm not sure about one stuck open. I did read a really old post from CHF_Slapaho about something almost identical but the reason given was simply "a seal", no mention of what seal and why. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Ray]

There is another option. You DID fill up, and the auto-shut off function of the gas nozzle you were using was broken, and when the gas filled up, it didn't shut off, and thus continued flowing out of the filler neck, and down the evap area, underneath the car.

Start using your odometer to measure gas mileage per fill up, and you will know how much you got, on the next fill up that is.

 

[96MystiqueGS]

So nothing is wrong with my car itself? I'm going to look things over in the daylight to make sure I didnt miss anything. Thanks.

 

[Tony2005]

Yes, Ray could be correct on the automatic shut off.

In addition, looking at the odometer and doing a quick estimate of how much gas is needed before pumping will also let you know ahead of time, if you really only need 3 gallons of gas for a fill up or the gas flapper is acting up and you have to do the "rotating" deal, move the nozzle slighty higher or simply pump slower. For me, most times, when I fill up at around 1/4 tank, I am looking at 8 to 9 gallons or so.