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We had some power outages last year so I bought a generator. I had to buy three different jerry cans before I found one that was compatible with the fuel vapor

We had some power outages last year so I bought a generator. I had to buy three different jerry cans before I found one that was compatible with the fuel vapor reclamation systems that are on modern gas pumps (or at least all the pumps near me). Basically, if the fuel pump nozzle can't create a (near) air tight seal on the jerry can, it won't dispense fuel because it needs vacuum pressure to reclaim the vapor. Most jerry cans now have a mesh filter or some other kind of impediment inside the nozzle that is usually there for a good reason, but often prevents a seal of the fuel pump nozzle. If you're thinking about getting a generator, get a compatible jerry can before the emergency.

londons_explore 5y ago
This is a USA only problem. In the rest of the world, a gas (petrol) pump will happily dispense into a bathtub if you want it to...
- bonestamp2 5y ago
  Yes, it used to work that way here. I don't believe it's USA only though, this environmental protection system appears to be used in Canada as well. Apparently these systems aren't needed any longer as vehicles built since 2006 have vapor recovery systems built in (which is also why it's detrimental to your vehicle to "top up" your fuel tank now).
  - db65edfc7996 5y ago
    >(which is also why it's detrimental to your vehicle to "top up" your fuel tank now) Could you expand on this a bit?
    - rainbowzootsuit 5y ago
      I'm not sure if this is an interaction with the vapor recovery on the fuel pump nozzle, but topping up on some vehicles will introduce liquid fuel to the fuel vapor charcoal canister in the emissions system of the vehicle. It's not able to readily purge the liquid fuel and can case emissions codes and replacement of the fuel vapor canister can be needed to remedy.
    - bonestamp2 5y ago
      Yes, as the other comment explained... because fuel vapor recovery is now built in to newer vehicles, you should no longer "top up" your tank. Some people add a little more fuel after the pump stops the first time -- this is referred to as "topping up" your tank. That extra fuel goes into the charcoal canister and may require premature maintenance costs/time.
- ljf 5y ago
  And not sure if it an issue across all of America. I saw a video of a man who had lined his pick up trunk bed with plastic sheeting and was filling it with fuel before driving off. I assume there was no vacuum there? Unless it was a fake video? https://youtu.be/CbTfmI7XCTQ https://youtu.be/CbTfmI7XCTQ
  - a_t48 5y ago
    Top comment on the video says it's likely faked :)
quesera 5y ago
In the US, this varies by state. Some states require vapor recovery nozzles, some do not. Some states allow a latching valve trigger, some do not. Some states allow you pump your own gas, some (until recently at least) do not. ... Not sure if this is still true (I no longer live in a vapor recovery state!) but you used to be able to trick the sensors by pushing the recovery hood back with one hand before pulling the valve trigger with the other. This might even be an intentional bypass for filling containers?
- bonestamp2 5y ago
  > you used to be able to trick the sensors by pushing the recovery hood back with one hand before pulling the valve trigger with the other. This might even be an intentional bypass for filling containers? Good tip, I actually asked a couple of gas station attendants and they had no idea how to get around it. I'll give it a shot with one of the cans I wasn't able to fill.
- mulmen 5y ago
  When I fill my motorcycles I hold the hood back. The fill hole is too large for the hood to work anyway and if I insert the nozzle all the way I would end up with less than half a tank of gas.
beeboop 5y ago
Usually if you manually hold back the vapor guard, the gas pump will still work. I know this because you have to do it to fill most motorcycles because their tanks aren't designed to fit the vapor guard, much less have it create a seal.

londons_explore 5y ago

This is a USA only problem. In the rest of the world, a gas (petrol) pump will happily dispense into a bathtub if you want it to...

bonestamp2 5y ago
Yes, it used to work that way here. I don't believe it's USA only though, this environmental protection system appears to be used in Canada as well. Apparently these systems aren't needed any longer as vehicles built since 2006 have vapor recovery systems built in (which is also why it's detrimental to your vehicle to "top up" your fuel tank now).
- db65edfc7996 5y ago
  >(which is also why it's detrimental to your vehicle to "top up" your fuel tank now) Could you expand on this a bit?
  - rainbowzootsuit 5y ago
    I'm not sure if this is an interaction with the vapor recovery on the fuel pump nozzle, but topping up on some vehicles will introduce liquid fuel to the fuel vapor charcoal canister in the emissions system of the vehicle. It's not able to readily purge the liquid fuel and can case emissions codes and replacement of the fuel vapor canister can be needed to remedy.
  - bonestamp2 5y ago
    Yes, as the other comment explained... because fuel vapor recovery is now built in to newer vehicles, you should no longer "top up" your tank. Some people add a little more fuel after the pump stops the first time -- this is referred to as "topping up" your tank. That extra fuel goes into the charcoal canister and may require premature maintenance costs/time.
ljf 5y ago
And not sure if it an issue across all of America. I saw a video of a man who had lined his pick up trunk bed with plastic sheeting and was filling it with fuel before driving off. I assume there was no vacuum there? Unless it was a fake video? https://youtu.be/CbTfmI7XCTQ https://youtu.be/CbTfmI7XCTQ
- a_t48 5y ago
  Top comment on the video says it's likely faked :)

quesera 5y ago

In the US, this varies by state. Some states require vapor recovery nozzles, some do not. Some states allow a latching valve trigger, some do not. Some states allow you pump your own gas, some (until recently at least) do not. ... Not sure if this is still true (I no longer live in a vapor recovery state!) but you used to be able to trick the sensors by pushing the recovery hood back with one hand before pulling the valve trigger with the other. This might even be an intentional bypass for filling containers?

bonestamp2 5y ago
> you used to be able to trick the sensors by pushing the recovery hood back with one hand before pulling the valve trigger with the other. This might even be an intentional bypass for filling containers? Good tip, I actually asked a couple of gas station attendants and they had no idea how to get around it. I'll give it a shot with one of the cans I wasn't able to fill.
mulmen 5y ago
When I fill my motorcycles I hold the hood back. The fill hole is too large for the hood to work anyway and if I insert the nozzle all the way I would end up with less than half a tank of gas.

beeboop 5y ago

Usually if you manually hold back the vapor guard, the gas pump will still work. I know this because you have to do it to fill most motorcycles because their tanks aren't designed to fit the vapor guard, much less have it create a seal.