# Pumping Gas. Pump shuts off and then gas kicks back **URL:** \ **Category:** Power/Fuel\ **Tags:** nissan, pathfinder, gas-tanks, gasoline\ **Created:** [April 20, 2009, 8:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pumping-gas-pump-shuts-off-and-then-gas-kicks-back/29407 "2009-04-20T20:09:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![piezoeyjune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@piezoeyjune](https://community.cartalk.com/u/piezoeyjune)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2009, 8:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pumping-gas-pump-shuts-off-and-then-gas-kicks-back/29407/1 "2009-04-20T20:09:55Z")
No the tank isn’t full. I have a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder. Lately (for the past 6 months) when I try to put gas in the car I get about 2 gallons in I hear a gurgling type sound and gas comes spraying out and down the side of my car. Since September I have had this car in for this problem. First they replaced the filler pipe (to a tune of $200+). They said it was slightly bent and that could be the problem. (I had gotten rear ended a few months prior and they said it could be the result of the accident. Dont get me started on Commerce Insurance. Glad I pay THEM all the money I do for all the help they would give.) Then they did something else (I cannot find the receipt and I dont remember what it was sorry.) I have also had catalytic converter problems by the way (b/c of the accident). Then, after it finally passed MA inspections and the cats were fixed, the light went on again. This time I was told the code was for the evap cannister and valve. ($500+) Well, I had that fixed and I filled the tank. It shut off a few times but did not kick back gas (the check engine light has since stayed off though). That tank lasted a week and the last 3 times I have put in gas it kicks back at me by 3 - 4 gallons in. I am visiting different gas stations so it is not their pumps. I am so sick of fixing this problem. I love my mechanic but I am getting tired (not to mention broke) of paying them to fix a problem and having the SAME problem start again within a week! And having to PAY them AGAIN! (B/c, you know, its not their problem they haven’t found the issue. Everything else they’ve done should have fixed it.) Since January I have spent $2500+ on this piece of garbage. Bills, taxes, rent all need to be paid and I am short on everything b/c of this car. (Sorry to vent). Is there anyone who has any experience with this issue (gas issue not money issue 🙂 ) or is there anyone that knows anything about the workings of Pathfinders? I cannot afford to fix it so I have to deal with it for now but I would love to go in to the mechanic and give him a few other ideas/options…related to the car. 🙂 Anyone? Please?! ---
**Author:** ![Wha-Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9f8e36/32.png) [@Wha-Who](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Wha-Who)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2009, 2:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pumping-gas-pump-shuts-off-and-then-gas-kicks-back/29407/2 "2009-04-21T02:18:18Z")
This may be a long shot but we used to own a Class C motorhome on a Ford chassis. The gas tank was slow to fill and would occasionally spit gas back out of the filler pipe. Eventually I decided to take a closer look and found a check valve in the filler pipe. The check valve used a lightweight plastic ball that reminded me of a ping-pong ball. I removed it and could then fill at a more normal (faster flow) speed and no more spitting back. ---
**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2009, 2:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pumping-gas-pump-shuts-off-and-then-gas-kicks-back/29407/3 "2009-04-21T02:49:25Z")
There may be a ball, or some type of anti-spill valve at the base of the fill pipe. Use a flexible rod to stick down the fill tube and push on that valve. It might reset. Can’t hurt to try, can it? ---
**Author:** ![piezoeyjune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@piezoeyjune](https://community.cartalk.com/u/piezoeyjune)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2009, 3:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pumping-gas-pump-shuts-off-and-then-gas-kicks-back/29407/4 "2009-04-21T15:06:45Z")
I’ll try anything at this point. I’ll let you know. Thanks.