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2002 Celica gas tank stem problem

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ibmike150

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have a 2002 gt-s and i believe its been affected by the flaw in several thousand 2002-2003 celicas and the issue is ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE, LOCATED IN THE FUEL TANK INLET PIPE, MAY BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE INLET PIPE AND FALL INTO THE FUEL TANK. IF THE CHECK VALVE FALLS INTO THE TANK, FUEL MAY SPILL FROM THE FUEL INLET PIPE WHEN THE FUEL PUMP AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS OFF DURING FUELING.

I noticed that the silver tab that covers the valve stem is missing so i believe that it has happend to me. Will toyota fix this for free because it was a recall? or is there any easy way for me to do this? or am i alone on this one... apperentally 15,000 celicas were affected.
 
#3 ·
ibmike150 said:
Will toyota fix this for free because it was a recall?
Click to expand...
]
highly doubtfull, there was a recall for the belt tensioner for the 2000 GTS, i went to them 3 weeks ago when i had the problem with it, and they said, the Celica is now discounted ( OH REALLY??? lol ) and that was a few years back, you will be charged to replace it with the updated 1.

Unless they do this for you for free, please let me know . . .
 
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#4 · (Edited)
I was trying to investigate this issue myself. I recently had my gas tank replaced with a used tank and my filler neck replaced (with new part).

3rd time getting gas there was some kind of blockage (either in the filler neck or something that was preventing air from escaping while I was trying to fill) and I had to trickle gas into the tank.

5/6th time getting gas that issue went away but now the gas pump doesn't shut off in time when the tank is full.

I'm extremely frustrated with my mechanic over this issue. They usually do good work and I understand **** happens but they're not taking care of me or the issue. I had to bring the car twice for them to witness the (second) issue before they would believe me -- now I think they're trying to blow me off suggesting that I don't fill the tank more than half full for 1-2 months and see if the problem goes away. /rant

Anyway this is what the inlet looks like on the inside of the gas tank.

Image


Follow the instructions to removing the fuel pump and then look to the driver's side of the car... oh and try to avoid igniting the fuel
 
#6 ·
Remember... the pic I posted is of my tank... which is experiencing the symptom described in the recall (but perhaps for another reason)

If someone could post a pic of a known good tank inlet we'd (both) be off to the races.
 
#7 ·
ibmike150 said:
I have a 2002 gt-s and i believe its been affected by the flaw in several thousand 2002-2003 celicas and the issue is ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE, LOCATED IN THE FUEL TANK INLET PIPE, MAY BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE INLET PIPE AND FALL INTO THE FUEL TANK. IF THE CHECK VALVE FALLS INTO THE TANK, FUEL MAY SPILL FROM THE FUEL INLET PIPE WHEN THE FUEL PUMP AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS OFF DURING FUELING.

I noticed that the silver tab that covers the valve stem is missing so i believe that it has happend to me. Will toyota fix this for free because it was a recall? or is there any easy way for me to do this? or am i alone on this one... apperentally 15,000 celicas were affected.
Click to expand...
The stem in question is a yellow plastic valve in the tank itself. It is in no way visible from the top of the filler neck. The celica does not have a metal flap at the top of the filler neck.

You can call a Toyota dealer with your VIN and they can look it up and see if it is covered in the campaign.
 
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#8 ·
ymboc said:
I was trying to investigate this issue myself. I recently had my gas tank replaced with a used tank and my filler neck replaced (with new part).

3rd time getting gas there was some kind of blockage (either in the filler neck or something that was preventing air from escaping while I was trying to fill) and I had to trickle gas into the tank.

5/6th time getting gas that issue went away but now the gas pump doesn't shut off in time when the tank is full.

I'm extremely frustrated with my mechanic over this issue. They usually do good work and I understand **** happens but they're not taking care of me or the issue. I had to bring the car twice for them to witness the (second) issue before they would believe me -- now I think they're trying to blow me off suggesting that I don't fill the tank more than half full for 1-2 months and see if the problem goes away. /rant

Anyway this is what the inlet looks like on the inside of the gas tank.

Image


Follow the instructions to removing the fuel pump and then look to the driver's side of the car... oh and try to avoid igniting the fuel
Click to expand...
Your valve is indeed missing in that picture. Where you see that plastic mercedes symbol shaped thing is where it SHOULD be located. If ti was in place all you would see in that pic is the bottom of the valve blocking that part off.
 
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#9 ·
Wow Thanks.

Though I'm really steamed now that it's confirmed because it's what I was claiming from the beginning -- that they replaced my tank with a defective one. Their counter-claim is that the warantee (1 year) on the tank is only that it won't leak.
 
#11 ·
ibmike150 said:
I have a 2002 gt-s and i believe its been affected by the flaw in several thousand 2002-2003 celicas and the issue is ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE, LOCATED IN THE FUEL TANK INLET PIPE, MAY BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE INLET PIPE AND FALL INTO THE FUEL TANK. IF THE CHECK VALVE FALLS INTO THE TANK, FUEL MAY SPILL FROM THE FUEL INLET PIPE WHEN THE FUEL PUMP AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS OFF DURING FUELING.

I noticed that the silver tab that covers the valve stem is missing so i believe that it has happend to me. Will toyota fix this for free because it was a recall? or is there any easy way for me to do this? or am i alone on this one... apperentally 15,000 celicas were affected.
Click to expand...
FYI, Toyota had a TSB for this. I had to take mine back to the dealership for them to replace whatever it was on that recall (for free).
 
#12 ·
I drive a 2000 GT... which is not affected by the recall.

I can only imagine that they installed a used tank pulled from a 2002 model.

The dealers are supposed to destroy parts affected by recalls right? Not sell them back into the (3rd party) parts chain?
 
#13 ·
Can someone post a pic of what the check valve looks like when it's present? I may need one for reference. Many Thanks!

Followup: After a visit to my mechanic with the above photo in-hand... my Mechanic believes my symptoms (described in the toyota TSB & Transport Canada Recall#2003044) are not the result of the missing check valve but some other coincidental issue with the Carbon canister or Evap system. My mechanic believes the TSB/Recall isn't valid because some cars (without citing specific examples) don't have a check valve at all.

I'm still giving them the benefit of the doubt. I suppose it can be argued that we/they haven't ruled out all other potential causes for the symptoms yet.

They suggested if I wanted to personally troubleshoot further I should disconnect all hoses leading to the carbon canister and see if I'm then able to fill normally (with the pumps shutting off automatically in time without spilling fuel).

I got as far as removing all the easy-to-remove hoses but then encountered a hose with a more complicated & delicate looking connection (similar to the one furthest aft on the fuel pump but larger) that I couldn't get off / didn't want to risk breaking.

Any advice on how to proceed? (or what tool I need to disconnect the mentioned hose connection safely?)
 
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ymboc
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