filling the tank

I am sure this question proves my status as a newbie but here goes. Has anyone had difficulty getting the fuel tank to fill up? I have tried a number of angles and the nozzle on every gas pump automatically shuts nearly every gallon or half gallon. Eventually it fills up, but it is a struggle. I have tried it myself in NY as well as while passing through NJ where it is mandatory full service. The attendants there have had trouble too. Is it my tank (BTW-way too small)? Or the angle going in just has to be correctly found? Or is there something like a secret handshake that no one has told me yet? tiny bit of help please.

I've never had this problem, filling the tank has never been an issue. However, past experience with other cars (non Porsches) leads me to believe that your air vent is plugged. There needs to be a way for the air to escape, if the tube or opening is plugged you may have this issue. Has your car been in an accident which would damage the fill tube or dented it in some way?

Sorry, never had this problem.

Never had this problem... something is going on... I would have it checked. also go to a full serve and let them pump it, but don't say anything... see what the gas station guys experience.

Full serve, wow, I haven't seen that in YEARS! Must be an east coast thing? No such thing in California in the last 20 years...

Full service???? Check out the Porsche mechanic I found here in So Cal to do my X-73 suspension upgrade...... WOW! Talk about FULL service

Yeah in S Marino at Larry's Station, used tol do that... (corner of garfield and huntigton Dr) he has moved 3 months ago and I bet he still does it.

I'm on the east coast and I haven't seen a full service station in over 10 years! Full service stations are for the handicapped.

just like four wheel drives!

you're alone on this one.....

It could be that your E6 fuse is blown. Check out these two threads for more info. The second one gives a little more info from 99firehawk (a Porsche tech) about the problem. https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...highlight=flap https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...highlight=flap

Some states on the east coast mandate full serve gas stations - NJ for one, and I believe parts (but not all?) of Massachusetts... I used to travel out to Boston for work every week and the gas stations on the way back to Logan to fill up the rent-a-wreck were all full serve.. - Nick

Spoken like someone from Pasadena. Try driving around in a snowstorm at 10K feet in the middle of the night sometime, or even just around town here in Boulder after we've had 2 feet and we're letting our legendary "passive solar snow removal technique*" work... you'll change your mind. - N * i.e. Let it melt.

Great... one learns something everyday.

I get the same problem every once in awhile. It comes and goes. My 1999 C2 has never been in an accident, has no blown fuses, and nothing is bent or in any way damaged in the whole system as far as I know. But for some reason every once in awhile the car just doesn't want to take gas. Here in NJ we don't have self serve. When the problem happens I usually just get out and hold the nozzle myself and it pumps fine. I find that as long as I am holding the nozzle and letting the gas go in straight, no problem. Normally this happens once or twice and then I will go weeks or months with normal fill-ups with no problem. I have had similiar problems with other cars. I just think it is the way you stick the nozzle in. I find putting it in all the way makes the difference. When you have different people doing your fill-up they don't all do it quite the same way. I would not worry about it too much. In my car it comes and goes and I can't detect any discernible cause other than different gas station attendents and the way they put the nozzle in. I think if I was doing it myself all of the time there would be no problem.

Early models do not I believe have the electrically operated valve that sticks shut when fuse E6 blows - so early vehicle fuel filling issues can be related to other factors. There is a one way flapper type valve at the junction of the filler neck and the tank. This is to allow gas in but not out. This flap can stick, and certainly on the early 986 there were tubes in the tank behind the valve that could slip down preventing the flapper valve from opening allowing only the filler neck to fill up then slowly seeping gas past the valve. On the 986, pre MY 01 cars had a mechanical flap, MY 01 onwards had the electrical version with the E6 fuse issue. (orvr) Probably the same for 996? The mechanical issue can come and go - the later electrical issue stays until the E6 fuse is changed and the short by the steering column is fixed. Chris.

Thanks for all the answers. I read each one and checked through all the links. I will be paying close attention to all the symptoms desribed and try to narrow it in. Unfortunately, with that small tank, it has to be filled up alot. So I will quickly have many chances to try different methods. On a side note - all the knowledge that is on this list is remarkable! I feel really fortunate to have found this site and not only get great answers, but to get them from those feeling the same passion for the vehicle as I do. There are others out there as 'hooked' as I am. Nice.

I've had a similar problem (and am new to Porsche and the Forum). I've had "some" luck simply pulling the gas nozzle back so it's barely in the car. You have to watch it carefully, as it tends to defeat the overflow protection. If you come up with an answer, I'd love to know what you found. I'm leaving in a few days to drive 101 down the coast from Washington to San Diego, and REALLY don't want to spend half of each day battling the gas pump. Never posted before, so here goes...

Funny, seems like Tim and Chris are the only ones to provide advice. This has been reported a number of times. here is some more info. and another great tech site: RennTech

So far I have just adjusted the nozzle to be barely in. As snowmoose stated this defeats the overflow protection so you have to listen and watch pretty carefully. Still working on it, but sure wish I was on that drive down 101 from WA to San Diego. Here in upstate NY it will snow and rain for the next 5 days.

Good luck on your drive. Since you are taking the 101, give a HONK when you breeze through Thousand Oaks! eric

how many gallons does it take to fill up a 996 c2 from low fuel warning light?

I had the same problem until I read a similar thread previously on this forum. Position the handle pointing upward (12 o'clock position) to avoid the premature shut-off of the actuator. Now it fills almost to the top before the shut-off occurs.

Almost made it to San Diego. Did cut off 101 to 1, running down the coast from Northern Mendocino County on south. WELL worth the time. Probably the best drive I've ever had. Nice on the weekdays when you don't have too many stupid people on the road. Near 80 today, so sorry to hear about the snow! As for the fuel issue, it's all over the board. Sometimes on "E", shortly after the light comes on, I can get 14 gallons in, but its ranged from 10 to 12 usually. And, gas is EXPENSIVE in CA!

snowmoose- sounds like a great ride. i'll be driving down to Atlanta this summer from NY. really looking forward to that much time in the car. the weather has finally cleared here and driving around is awesome. sometimes I'm just riding alone take a corner and just burst out laughing...great cars...huh. as for the gas thing, I have been tring different angles and depths. straight in midway seems to be the best. also, listen to the fill. you should be able to know almost the exact moment when it is full.