Fuel pump clicking when trying to fill up!

[jmurray01]

Thankfully since my 2.0 TDI Passat is so fuel efficient I don't have to fill it up often, but when I do it has the issue whereby I have to fill it up really slowly as the pump will click as if it is full when I try to fill at anything more than 50% speed.

It is just how these cars are or is it a problem with my filler neck? Unlike the fillers in my old 1990s diesels which are just open tubes, I suspect the Passat has filters and other things in there that could be getting clogged or broken somehow.

At the moment it isn't the end of the world as it takes maybe an extra 2-3 minutes to fill a full tank and that lasts 750 miles, but if it is a problem then I'm better getting it fixed before it gets worse and I may not be able to refuel at all!

[DMitch16]

Thankfully since my 2.0 TDI Passat is so fuel efficient I don't have to fill it up often, but when I do it has the issue whereby I have to fill it up really slowly as the pump will click as if it is full when I try to fill at anything more than 50% speed.

It is just how these cars are or is it a problem with my filler neck? Unlike the fillers in my old 1990s diesels which are just open tubes, I suspect the Passat has filters and other things in there that could be getting clogged or broken somehow.

At the moment it isn't the end of the world as it takes maybe an extra 2-3 minutes to fill a full tank and that lasts 750 miles, but if it is a problem then I'm better getting it fixed before it gets worse and I may not be able to refuel at all!

This happens to mine but only at certain filling stations so I am guessing that it has something to do with the back pressure sensitivity of the pump itself and when it needs to shut off to prevent overfill. On these pumps I have to either insert the nozzle a little shallower or find a better angle in the filler neck to prevent constant shut off.

[FrenchAudi]

On my old van this problem is because the fuel tank breather pipes are restricted. It has an odddly shaped plastic tank which fits into the space above the gearbox.

Replacing the pipes requires the gearbox and tank to be remmoved, which I've put off doing for years now.

[Quatrelle]

Filled mine up today, usual filling station, nozzle in, filled non-stop. Like Mitch, on other occasions I've had to pull the nozzle out a bit, so obviously I didn't push the nozzle in too far this time.

A bit of trial and error is called for, push the nozzle in as far as it will go, and slowly pull it out till it fills non-stop. Worth remembering that some pumps are slower than others.