Check Fuel Fill Inlet warning

[GrySql]

I just thought I'd elaborate on this subject since a couple of us have had these Dash Display Warnings in very different weather conditions.

Hybridbear's instance was in very cold, ice and snow and mine was in fair weather.

 

I tried resetting mine with the FFH's little funnel that is included and carried under the mat in the trunk.

The procedure is in the FFH Owner's manual. The Warning did not reset at that time, now I know why.

I'll get to that in a minute.

 

When these 'Warnings' occur I use the center console's SYNC system to generate a Vehicle Health Report.

Then I upload that VHR from the car to the Syncmyride.com website where I had previously registered my car when I first took possession.

This is a good thing to do whenever an Alert or Warning is displayed on your Dash Display and, especially as any Warning may be transient, you will have a record of the occurrence.

If you are driving, just pull over, park with the car running and do it.

 

Back to re-setting the Fill Inlet.

My clearing with the funnel did not seem to work, today I looked at the VHR on Syncmyride.com.

The VHR had the Warning listed and explained that the warning may not reset right away, see below.

I've underlined the related reset info and the exact text from the Syncmyride website.

-

Urgent

Check Fuel Fill Inlet

What Should I Do?

At the next opportunity, safely pull off the road, turn off the engine, open the fuel filler door and remove any visible debris from the fuel fill opening. Insert either the fuel fill nozzle or the fuel fill funnel (see Refilling With a Portable Fuel Container in your Owner's Manual for funnel location) provided with the vehicle several times to dislodge any debris and/or allow the inlet to close properly. If this action corrects the problem, the Check Fuel Fill inlet message may not reset immediately. It may take several driving cycles for the Check Fuel Fill Inlet message to turn off. A driving cycle consists of an engine start-up (after four or more hours with the engine off) followed by city/highway driving. Continuing to drive with the Check Fuel Fill Inlet message on may cause the service engine soon lamp to turn on as well.

-

I can't know for certain, but after finding this out about one type incident, the reset time required may pertain to others.

Taking the time to get a VHR for future reference could help any of us who experience these 'teething' problems with this new generation of technology in our cars.

 

Edit: It's best to email the report to yourself or print out each VHR, the Syncmyride website only keeps the last one that was reported. Hopefully you never need to do this

Edited February 17, 2013 by GrySql

[coach81]

thanks for posting this...

[fusionTX]

I don't see any positives with Fords new capless gas tanks. All I have heard is problems.

[GrySql]

I don't see any positives with Fords new capless gas tanks. All I have heard is problems.

I have no way of knowing how many problems you've heard about this cap-less system.

I am only aware of two complaints on this Forum regarding this exact issue, so far.

I don't think that equates to a complete condemnation of the entire system.

 

It's very possible that this was created because of various study groups asking cross sections of vehicle users what they might want as an improvement to the old way of doing things.

I know I've forgotten to replace my gas cap a few times in the past, I'll bet others have too - lots of them.

At least it's a step in the right direction to make our cars easy to use, albeit not perfect yet.

 

Yet, I agree with you in part, when things get too complicated failures occur more often.

[fusionTX]

It's discussed in many forums. It shouldn't be so difficult to fill your tank.

My gas cap is attached, so it's hard to forget.

I never have to question whether my tank is full. When you are on a long trip that can make a big difference.

Looks to me like they released this feature before it was ready.

 

http://www.blueovalforums.com/forums/index.php?/topic/51987-fusion-funky-fuel-tankanyone-attempted-a-full-fuel/

[acdii]

This system has been in use since 2009, or maybe even earlier. The Lincoln MKS has it, and all the Fords I have owned since 2010 had it, and never had a problem. The problems you are hearing about are not the capless system, but the fuel venting system.

[fusionTX]

This system has been in use since 2009, or maybe even earlier. The Lincoln MKS has it, and all the Fords I have owned since 2010 had it, and never had a problem. The problems you are hearing about are not the capless system, but the fuel venting system.

Thanks for the info. I assumed it was the capless system since I had never heard of it.

[acdii]

The Venting system is part of the capless system, it closes the tank off after filling so the Evap system can contain the fumes. When there is a problem it is usually due to a valve sticking open so the sensors dont detect pressure in the tank and set the check engine. Same is if you left the cap off a regular system.

[hybridbear]

Thanks GrySql for putting this together. I love the capless system because I don't have to take my gloves off in freezing cold winter to undo a fuel filler cap or to put it back on. That's a big plus...if only now ice wouldn't get inside it...

[terryb]

I wonder if this system might provide a warning or an inhibit to driving off with the fuel hose still in the car? When I was a new engineer, one my first projects involved researching a fire caused by a taxi driver leaving his garages fuel pump with the nozzle still in the filler neck. A pressure spike blew a hole in the gas meter and pumped gas until it was ignited, burning down the garage. Lately I see dry break connectors on the hoses at the top of the pump to prevent the damage done by driving off, but I have also seen two cars driving down the road with 8 foot black tails. I think I'm going to try to start the car with the nozzle in to see what the system does about it next fill-up.

[mokee]

I like the capless system and the driver side location of the fuel fill. The F-150 and the FFH are the same so I don't have to remind myself which side the fuel fill is on by looking at the the arrow on the little gas pump next to the gas gauge. Thanks to GrySql I'll know what to do when I get one of those dash display warnings.

[machoman1337]

Dropped off my car yesterday at a dealer to address this! My left screen tells me to check the fuel fill inlet and the service engine light is on. I was supposed to get it back today at noon but they still aren't done... I did confirm from them that it's due to a vapour leak though.

 

Edit: Got my car back. It's all fixed and the warning + service engine light are gone. The mechanic said there was a valve under the gas tank that was a little loose and it took them forever to find that out because of how tiny the leakage was. All covered under warranty too :)

Edited June 28, 2014 by machoman1337

[md13ffhguy]

I just thought I'd elaborate on this subject since a couple of us have had these Dash Display Warnings in very different weather conditions.

Hybridbear's instance was in very cold, ice and snow and mine was in fair weather.

 

I tried resetting mine with the FFH's little funnel that is included and carried under the mat in the trunk.

The procedure is in the FFH Owner's manual.

Yesterday, close to noon, I started my car, only to get this Check Fuel Fill Inlet warning... It was about 95 degrees out, so I'm also thinking weather is not a good predictor.

 

At the time, all I could think to do was check it by hand - literally pushing my finger in, which came out smelling like gas. :drop: Drove home with the windows down!

 

Found this thread last night, and tried the funnel procedure before heading out this morning. Upon starting the car, the message appeared again, and this time it was joined by the Service Engine Soon indicator light... Drove to work, parked, worked, and came out later to head home. Upon starting this time, the initial warning message did NOT appear, but the SES light remained on. I had to make a stop on the way home, and upon the next restart, the SES light was gone, too. I'm hoping it stays this way!

[acdii]

Prior to the capless system, if you left the gas cap loose or off it would set that light. Most likely the flap stuck in the neck to set the first light, pressure did not build up in the tank like it should and set the second light. Since the first went off, the vent had closed, pressure returned to normal and after the 3rd restart the SES went off. Code will still be stored for a while so if you run a VHR it should list it.

[md13ffhguy]

Code will still be stored for a while so if you run a VHR it should list it.

 

A code in the VHR? I ran two reports and never saw a code. Do you mean a specific code to describe the current/recent fault condition? All I see is "Service Required" under the "Engine, Transmission, & Emissions" section.

[acdii]

 

A code in the VHR? I ran two reports and never saw a code. Do you mean a specific code to describe the current/recent fault condition? All I see is "Service Required" under the "Engine, Transmission, & Emissions" section.

VHR wont show the code, but will recommend service if there are any codes stored, which by what you saw is what happened.

[Jujubee11]

My ford fusion 2012 engine light came on. I had it tested resulting in a very small leak on the inlet hose. ( capless, flexifuel). My air conditioner goes out & I decide to take my car into dealership. They supposedly fixed it & of course added a tune up ect..ect.. I pick up my car after getting charged almost 2000$ for repairs, the car ran ok no lights were showing on dash. When I started my car the next morning my car sounded funny like a winding. Revving sound then I try to accelerate & it's sputtering like it's gonna stall but didn't. Shortly after the check engine light came back on & so did the check fuel fill inlet light using gas like crazy & running rough. I can use some feed back on this guys...needless to say my car is back at the dealership & they want to charge me another 2000$ for this repair. Doesn't this sound like they may have made a mistake for this to happen. The fuel inlet light wasn't showing before I brought the car in the 1st time.

Please tell me what you guys think....should they have emptied out my fuel before returning the car?