Ford fuel safe - problems getting nozzle in

[hepy]

Looking on other forums a few people seem to have this problem but no-one can suggest a fix.

I have a Fiesta ST 2014, but I believe the issue is common to most Fords with Fuel Safe.

At certain garages, mainly Tesco and Sainsburys, the petrol pump nozzle will not go in the fuel filler, no matter how much I jiggle it or what angle I approach it from (sorry, sounds very Carry On).

Has anyone got a fix for this? And no, I am not trying to use the black pump.

[IanCress]

I've got two petrol Fords (2015 Fiesta, 2015 Kuga) and never had this issue. Usually use Tesco for fuel.
Don't think I've got any special 'technique', I just stick it in.

Skillfully avoided double-entendre there.

[Ron240]

I am currently on my third Focus with Fords Easy Fuel System and I have never had a problem with the nozzle fully inserting.
Pump nozzles and vehicle filler openings are made to a standard size so what you describe cannot happen.
What can be quite common is the pump cutting off due to the angle the nozzle is held at and/or the speed of fuel delivery.

Edited by Ron240 on Thursday 6th October 10:51

[rehab71]

I've been selling Fords for 8 years and never heard of this issue.

[hepy]

Thanks for the replies.

Sounds like it must be my 'technique'.

Will just avoid certain garages and pumps. The other day couldn't get the Tesco momentum nozzle, but normal 95 ron went in fine.

[Ron240]

hepy said:

The other day couldn't get the Tesco momentum nozzle, but normal 95 ron went in fine.

Very strange....I cant understand how this could be.
All petrol nozzles are made to the same size to enable entry into the smaller filler neck of petrol cars. Diesel nozzles are bigger so it should be impossible to put diesel in a petrol engined car.

[sumo69]

To add, I have several cars inc a BMW X5 with a 4.4 V8 engine - I have numerous issues getting Tesco Momentum 99 pumps to fit.

I have ascertained that its usually because the end of the nozzle is dented/mis-shaped - perhaps the fit in the Fords is as snug as the BMW that causes me problems.

I never have issues at Shell etc so definitely a Tesco issue.

David

[Trixxz]

2016 Focus ST with fuel safe - Handbook says:


Fully open the fuel tank filler door until it engages.


Insert the fuel pump nozzle up to the first notch on the nozzle A. Keep it resting on the cover of the fuel tank filler pipe opening.


Opening the door fully allows the "gate" in the filler to open.

I am a member of one of the Ford forums and can honestly say I have never seen anything mentioned similar.

I hope you get it sorted!

[Ajw71]

Hello,

I just registered with these forums to respond to this thread. I own a Ford Fiesta Zetec S Black and cannot get the nozzle into the car at Sainsburys petrol stations.

I have even had the whole cap mechanism changed at my local dealer free as the car is under warranty and the problem persists even after that.

I am going to avoid Sainsburys now as it is embarrasing when you have to drive off because the nozzle simply won't go in.

There is definitely a problem here linked to Sainsburys pumps as all others are fine. Looking at them they are somtimes very bent and out of shape so I'm wondering if that has something to do with it.

Andy

[swooshiain]

I find the opposite problem with my Mustang - the nozzle (Tesco Momentum, usually) goes in fine, but it's a pain to get it back out again!

[Eskay70]

Thanks for this thread - it's just been a great help to me today.

Yesterday I when to fill up at my local garage and couldn't get the nozzle into the filler no matter how I tried. With barely thirty miles left in the tank that was a scary experience as I assumed it was a problem with the capless filler unit as occasionally in the past I've struggled to get the nozzle to enter the filler.

After reading this thread I re-thought the situation. The nozzle that wouldn't enter the filler yesterday was on I pump I don't normally use which suggested trying again at another pump.
I had no recollection of the filler funnel supplied with the car for use with a petrol can. Located it in the boot, tried it in the filler which opened straight away, accompanied by a rush of air as pressures equalised. So nothing wrong with the filler mechanism then.

Down to a different petrol station and the nozzle fitted straight away!

Never imagined Ford would have engineered a system that relies on very tight engineering tolerances which seemingly cannot be guaranteed to be met by the petrol vendors.

Thanks for the information posted on here - Certainly solved the problem for me and restored peace of mind.

[CLX]

This is definitely an issue. My sister has a Fiesta and now avoids certain local petrol stations. She only goes to ones where she knows the nozzle goes in! I don't know what causes the problem though.

[Ron240]

Interesting that the only problems being reported here is with Fiesta models, but the entire Ford range uses their "Easy-Fuel" system(not called fuel safe or any other name).

[MissChief]

Focus mk3 here. Never had any issues at any station. Not got a local Tesco but Sainsbury’s, Asda, Shell, Morrison’s all without issue.

[jamei303]

I never had a problem with any of my Focuses. I loved Ford's system - I'd happily accept the chance of a dodgy pump not fitting than have to unscrew a bloody cap every time.

[Podie]

We had an issue with our Fiesta ST (not long after we purchased it) but only at certain filling stations.

At the annual service, I asked them to check it - and sure enough there was a broken part. It was replaced and never had an issue since.

[GST]

Hi All,

New here today and just a quick congrats to a great site, which is why I registered

I have a 2012 Petrol S-Max Titanium, and ever since I bought it, I've had problems with filling it up, although I haven't had any that refer to the problem being discussed with Nozzles not getting inside the filler cap.

I have to barely squeeze the grip and it takes an age to get £70 quids worth into the tank, and even then the Station's "Vapour Recovery System - VRS" still shuts off the flow about twenty times while I'm filling. I have tried almost every possible angle and depth inside the filler to alleviate this situation, but so far absolutely nothing works.

My question (at Last) ..... Is there a breather situated somewhere that gets clogged and stops the increasing pressure in the tank thereby triggering the VRS in the Dispensing Pump ?

If anyone can shed any light on this problem I'll be very grateful.

GST

[MissChief]

The nozzle does need to be fully inserted all the way I found. Also I found it flowed better if I raised the handle ever so slightly while filling.

There is a vent on the filler which could be blocked, I believe this opens when you put the nozzle into the filler beck and this opens the flap. If this is broken then of course it may have trouble venting the tank as you fill it.

[PisstNBroke]

Focus 2019 diesel, not really experienced that issue. But did notice early on that I can no longer fill with the pump on other side like I did with a Passat 2015.
Small price to pay but I believe fewer cars have the filler on passengers side. Think you just need the do it straight and not an odd angle.

[JohnNozzle]

I have a 2021 Ford Puma & just tried to fill up with petrol but the nozzle will only partially enter. It seems there is a valve which is closed and won't allow filling. I filled up at the same garage a week ago without problem. I phoned the dealer and was told they had never encountered this problem previously.