I can't get diesel to go into my tank!

[BHML]

Just bought a 2003 diesel Vectra (I know, I know...) and am having the most peculiar problem. Basically I can't put any diesel into the tank! The pump keeps cutting out almost immediately and by twirling the nozzle and moving it about I managed to get about 5 litres in to the tank (with about 1 litre spillage).

I know for a fact that the car was empty when I bought it (the seller had to put 5l into the tank just to get it started). Is there air in the tank that is preventing from fuelling, or is there another solution to this issue? The fuel gague doesn't work either, maybe the two problems are related?

Any insight would be appreciated, thanks!

[Matthen]

My focus is like this. I do not squeeze the pump trigger all the way, just 1/3rd, and I can fill the tank (all be it slowly) - the breather tube is blocked/kinked so no air can escape.

How do you know the fuel gauge is broken if you can only put a gallon in? The tank reserve is likely to be more than that.

[BHML]

Matthen said:

How do you know the fuel gauge is broken if you can only put a gallon in? The tank reserve is likely to be more than that.

On the first occasion I managed to get about 12 litres in. The fuel gauge stayed on zero. So I tried topping up today and could only get about a gallon in.

[vtecyo]

BHML said:

the seller had to put 5l into the tank just to get it started

And you still bought it?

[mark.c]

Have you tried another pump nozzle? These can go t*ts up.

[northwest monkey]

I had a diesel Astravan that had exactly the same problem. I could get about 30 litres into the tank before the pump timed out (never knew they did that!) after about 10 minutes or so. Never did work out what the problem was so good luck!

For some reason, I remember it being easier to fill it from one of the little plastic fuel cans - does the nozzle go in further?

[Imafreeman]

I had a Vectra company car that did this. You have to twist the hose till it's almost upside down and don't push it all the way in before it'll work properly.
That Vectra was the worst car I have ever had.

[Snowboy]

Try not putting the nozzle all the way in.

My old surf had this problem on some high power pumps where the air couldn't escape fast enough.
By only putting the nozzle in to the first knuckle it would work fine.

It is a bit odd, and it can seem a bit unsafe. But as long as you're not an idiot then it's easy to not spill any.
The nozzle is still in the pipe after all.

[TheInsanity1234]

It's the same issue with our Yeti, if you try putting the pump in normally, then it will just cut off every litre or so, you have to turn the pump 90 degrees to the left, and push it all the way in, then it'll drop back down and then you can fill it.

Maybe your car is just one of those cars that are right little buggers to fill and you have to do complicated dances with the nozzle before you can fill the car.

[Toaster Pilot]

Is there some kind of breather system that could be at fault though?

My A6 does this sometimes and I'm convinced there's something at fault

[funkyrobot]

Are you sure it's a diesel?

[woodypup59]

If the breather is blocked, the tank may have collapsed - as the fuel gets sucked out, air cant go in, so the tank collapses.