Does anyone else have the problem of the gas pump not shutting off automatically and spilling gas when filling up your first gen Camaro?

I have a 68 RS/SS with a stock setup (tank, sender, filler neck etc). The guage works ok, but when I fill up I can't rely on the pump to shutoff, so I have to guess, and then stop and go check the gas guage.

I'd like to be able to set the pump and walk away. Does anyone else have this problem? What can be done about it?

Thanks,

I don't have any issue as long as you don't have the pump set on the highest/fastest flowing setting. Either way, I still NEVER walk away from it and NEVER EVER sit in your car. You create static that way and unless you ground yourself before you grab hold of the pump handle, you can discharge that static and it WILL ignite the fuel at the tank. I've seen it happen.

If I may ask, why do you want to walk away from the pump? It only takes around 3-4 minutes to fill the tank.

How do you change the pump setting? I didn't know you could do that. I read somewhere that it has something to do with the vapor recovery boot around the gas nozzle, and weather it should be well sealed aginst the car or cracked a little.

I don't really walk away from the car (although it would be nice to be able to run into the store for something) It's really that I just want to avoid the overflow spillage.

Fill it up slow and listen , you can hear when its filling up, at least thats what i do.

Does anyone else have the problem of the gas pump not shutting off automatically and spilling gas when filling up your first gen Camaro?

I have a 68 RS/SS with a stock setup (tank, sender, filler neck etc). The guage works ok, but when I fill up I can't rely on the pump to shutoff, so I have to guess, and then stop and go check the gas guage.

I'd like to be able to set the pump and walk away. Does anyone else have this problem? What can be done about it?

Thanks,
You must not have the rubber bellows type vapor recovery nozzles like we do in California.
No way you can gas in without pushing and holding the nozzle to maintain a seal so the pump will flow.
It's a real PITA, and hard not to get some spillage with those vapor recovery nozzles on cars that were never designed for them.

How do you change the pump setting? I didn't know you could do that. I read somewhere that it has something to do with the vapor recovery boot around the gas nozzle, and weather it should be well sealed aginst the car or cracked a little.

I don't really walk away from the car (although it would be nice to be able to run into the store for something) It's really that I just want to avoid the overflow spillage.

What he's talking about is the auto fill setting on the nozzle that you use so you don't have to keep squeezing it to keep the fuel pumping, there are usually a couple fill speed settings.

When the nozzle doesn't shut off it's usually because it's not in the filler neck properly. The proximity of the filler neck is part of the problem, add the short pump hoses and it sets us up for a spill. The nozzle has to be straight into the fill tube and the nozzle curve has to follow the curve of the fill tube. To insure this the handle has to be vertical and the hose needs to head towards the ground. This is almost impossible if you are not holding the hose from pulling back to the pump. Here's a crude pic showing even when the handle is vertical you have to get the nozzle in the fill tube properly...

older cars depended on a different style gas pump nozzle.
I had a 70 Caprice with a 32+gallon tank with the fille behind the back license plate.
I always had spillage, that is until I got smart.
Only fill to about 75+% with the nozzle on 'auto' then, release the handle and finish manually.
Be sure to just barely squeeze that last couple of gallons.
When it clicks towards the end, STOP! Don't try to top it off.

I'm not sure there is any way to 'fix' your problem, only need to develop your own method that works for you and your ride.
peace.

my Nova would spill a bunch of fuel if i just set it and didn't pay attention. after a while, i learned to just squat down there and listen for the sound of the gas starting to fill up the filler neck- it makes kind of a "gurgling" sound when the air getting pushed out of the tank starts getting interrupted by the level of the gas in the tank- and i got really good at shutting off the pump just as it was about to start overflowing. my Monte isn't quite as bad- i can just set it and expect a drop or two to come out when it's full.

Walk away ???
This is when you must make yourself available for questions and comments from admirers , that is why you must remain at the vehicle while you pump. Think of it as your obligation to the car enthusiast public.

I have the same problem with my '68
..as Bud said, the old leaded spouts were a bigger diameter, and would kick off more reliably.

I tried Dennis' suggestion (see pic above), and if centered correctly, mine now shuts off.
I still get a little dribble, but not near as bad.
I've gotten in the habit of putting a paper towel near the opening to catch the splash, (and to save the new paint).

The older cars are actually a leaded gas pump and the newer style unleaded pump are a smaller style nozzle where the leaded pumps are larger in diameter.

And the leaded nozzle had no splash guard or vapor recovery, so they went into the filler neck all the way to the handle.

I man the nozzle at all times, and listen for it filling, as described above. That is the only way to not spill. Spillage is a bit of a pain and an environmental issue on a 69, or any car with the fill behind the plate. On a 67 or 68, it can be a cosmetic issue as well, because the spill onto the tailpanel can at the least attract dirt and gunk, and at worst affect the paint. Just pay attention and keep the setting low, and it isn't a problem.

I don't have that problem at all. In fact I have the opposite problem. That darn tank can't get enough to satisfy it's appetite.

Don't walk away and use the middle setting.

I'd like to be able to set the pump and walk away.

:eek:


Most cars with the low, rear fill will do this to some extent. My Wife's 84 Riviera does it and it is an unleaded gas vehicle.

Personally, I would NEVER walk away while the pump is running. Matter of fact, I generally keep my hand on the lever.

at all the gas stations here in MN, there are signs posted everywhere saying it is a misdemeanor to walk away while the pump is running and if the cashier inside sees that you have walked away, they are required by law to shut off the pumps.