Cannot fill more than 2 to 3 gallons in 2008 Gen 2 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Giri, Oct 9, 2025.

  1. Giri

    Giri Junior Member

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    Had been to Prescott where temperatures were 40 deg and in AM the fuel gauge strats blinking. Itried to fill in Costco and within 2.5 gallons it tripped off. I was able to add another 1/2 a gallon. Back in Phoneix, temps were 80's and I still was not able to fill more than 2 gallons. I pulled the hose and slowly filled and after multiple tripping I was able to fill 4.9 gallons and the fuel was full till the neck. I had to shake the vechicle to let fuel go in by shaking the car by rocking it.
    What could be the issue. Do I need to change the fuel tank itself or will change in Charcoal canister or vale or EVAP Valve will do the trick.
    Has anyone done a step by step Do it your diagnosis and can share
     
    #1 Giri, Oct 9, 2025
  2. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

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    Was the fuel gauge still blinking when the tank was full to the neck?

    Once the car has been driven 100 miles or so return to a station where you have previously filled the tank without issue. Using the same pump, fill the car. Problems? (Some model gas pump handles do not work well with the Prius. It won't fill with one of those, but that also won't make the gauge indicator flash.)

    Scan for codes.

    This might help (probably not):

     
    #2 pasadena_commut, Oct 10, 2025
  3. Hayslayer

    Hayslayer Active Member

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    fuel was full till the neck.

    Well, I guess this means the tank is as full as it's going to get, bladder good or bladder bad. What did the gauge show? was it still blinking? If so, you have a sender unit problem and possibly now a charcoal cannister problem if fuel leaked into it from being so full. The fuel gauge will also blink if you had a loss of 12v power, until it recalibrates itself, which is usually within an hour, but does vary sometimes. A loss of power on the 12v system will also cause your radio station presets to go away and the automatic raise/lower feature of the driver window will stop working until you reset it. What's the status are those items?
     
    #3 Hayslayer, Oct 10, 2025
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    You'll probably benefit from reviewing this post (and the outcome of the thread it appears in).
     
    #4 ChapmanF, Oct 10, 2025
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Gas tank tech has “evolved” some, compared to my parents 58 VW Bug. To check the remaining fuel amount, my dad used a stick.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Oct 11, 2025
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