New car, GAS spills

[Enthusiast]

Hi,

I just purchased a new 2003.5 Protege5. It is still sitting on the dealer lot since they found a problem during the 'preparation/detailing'. According to the sales guy it passed all the tests they do on a new vehicle, but when they tried to fill it with gas (complementary full tank of gas), it was gushing out. From the explanation it appeared that it wasn't possible to fill the tank the 'normal way' since the pressure from the pump handle causes it to spill over/burping etc. The sales guy said he had earlier filled a different Protege5 with no problems.

I have refused to take delivery of the car until the problem has been fixed. Since I need transportation they will provide a loaner vehicle tomorrow morning. Dealer is located in Boston area.

Now the question is how to handle this situation. Of course the dealer should have an attempt to correct the problem, but I'm also getting pretty worried this will end up being a nightmare.

- Any one experienced something similar ?
- Same problem ?
- Suggestions what to look outfor after it has been repaired ? I'm concerned that the gas overflow may have damaged other items. Paint, bumper strips on the door, internal parts I can't see.
- If anyone have a diagram on how the fill hose/vent system works on this particular model I'd be happy to see it.

Pretty dissappointed customer.:'(

 

[PeaB0dy]

Could have been the pump too..

I think there is a sensor that detects wether gas is going to over flow, but may have not worked, it does happen on occasion..

The only damage I would look for it the paint surface of the car..

He may have used paper towel to wipe the car clean..

It will happen to you once in a while, nothing you can do about it, just wipe it clean.

Internally there would be no damage, as the spill is external.

 

[mctoone]

Sounds like no gas can go in without burping out again. Are you saying that it's not a matter of getting to a full tank and then not automatically stopping, but rather gas cannot get into the tank without coming back out again.???Or am I completely off my rocker..! In any case I guess they could try and fix it and then prove it is fixed...but a little worrying I know.

 

[uclap5]

some people have had the problem of the gas not accepting any more even when it is clearly empty. do some searches and you will see how it went.

that was a long time ago though, i havent heard a peep about it for almost a year.

 

[Kona Bear]

If I was you, I wouldn't accept that particular car. Pick another one off the lot. Brand new with problems?!?

I wouldn't jinx it. Pick another.

KB

 

[Enthusiast]

Hi All,

Here's an update on the issue.

I checked the web for any info on the problem and found several TSBs and one recall. All of them was related to the Miata, none to the Protege5. Armed with that info and the Lemon Law I went back to the dealer this morning.

In the service bay they were working at the problem and had just found the problem. There was a rubber hose that's connected from the filler to the tank, it was kinked and would thereby limit the amount of fuel you would be able to add into the tank. My estimate would be at least 10 min or more to fill the tank, based on the look of the hose. The mechanic corrected the problem and they tested it again. Though I never saw that in person. (I plan to crawl under the car later today) Rules and all in these work shops. Anyhow the car was brought out to the front and we could begin the final phase in the handover procedure.

Guess what, the radio didn't work, so the car had to go back to service. 20 min later the sales guy brings it back and gives the story that there was no fuse for the radio, so they plugged one in and it was fine. That led me to question how much of the car they actually had inspected during the 'preparation phase'. Asking for proof was yet another adventurer. No copies no nothing. Apparently the papers had been sent to accounting and the person wasn't there or they couldn't find it. GREAT.

My hunch is that the radio fuse may not have been installed at the factory, cause the delivery will take time and the radio could potentially drain the battery. Though I don't know for sure.

I had them draft a request that the repair info, gas problem, radio and the prep papers was documented and sent to me in copy. That way I had documentation for what had been done to the car in case other 'fun' things would pop up at a later time.

Finally we were able to leave the dealer with a working (presumably) car. It drove fine on the way home, and I haven't found other missing/non working items yet. Time will tell though. The car is really nice and I feel quite happy now despite the initial problems.

What I have learned is, never be satisfied by a loose/changing story. Request proof if needed. Use enough pressure to get things done the way they should have been done in the first place and never take delivery if the item you buy isn't working.

Thanks for the replies on the subject.

 

[AndrewF150]

DUDE WALK!!

Walk away from it now! DO NOT take that car, if it is having problems this early just walk from it. They are going to tell you ANYTHING to get you to take that car, they will lie right to your face and say they fixed it when they didn't!

Tell them that you want a TOTALLY new car, or you arn't buying. Make sure you take down the vin number of this one and compare it to the "new" one. That way you know for sure you are actually getting a new car.....it would be stupid to take that car.

 

[mctoone]

Well...now that you have it ...you may as well keep it..unless your gut feeling is to take it back..don't keep it if it's really really bugging you. We just paid a lot of money for this car and you should be satisfied. The radio thing is fine..nothing broken, just a missing fuse. I often wonder how much they inspect the cars. I went to pick mine up and saw the huge check list that the service dept supposedly went through. I was just about to drive away when I noticed a dent in the hood and some ugly scratches in the hood. I pointed these out to them and they said to bring the car back to have them fixed. I should have asked for another car but they did not have one with the options I wanted so I just complied. They got the dent out and most of the scratches except one. Pissed me off but at least I don't have to go through the horror of that "first scratch"...but I was wondering what else they may not have checked. They probably went.. yeah yeah the car looks fine!