How?

What was the gas bill???

I gotta know!

If I were the police and/or press, I'd be a lot more concerned that the gas pump's shut-off valve failed than some sleepy lady on pain killers.

Lumpmoose: If I were the police and/or press, I'd be a lot more concerned that the gas pump's shut-off valve failed than some sleepy lady on pain killers.

Yea, no shiat. That's the real story here.

Before I clicked the link, I was like "Sounds like something that'd happen in Kentucky."

Outer Loop? Yep, that's 15 minutes from my house. Knew it.

That headline's grammar hurts my teeth.

SDRR: Lumpmoose: If I were the police and/or press, I'd be a lot more concerned that the gas pump's shut-off valve failed than some sleepy lady on pain killers.

Yea, no shiat. That's the real story here.

Make the 50+ for me. Never seen one fail. Most of them, you can ziptie the handle and the shutoff trigger will still work.

9beers: I've been putting gas in cars for close to 30 years and have never seen a shutoff valve fail. Did she put a zip tie around it or something?

Wouldn't work, its a air pressure mechanism. As the gas level in the tank rises, the distance between the dispenser nozzle and the fuel grows smaller. A small pipe called a venturi runs alongside the gas nozzle. When the end of the venturi pipe becomes submerged in the rising gas, it chokes off the air pressure that holds the nozzle handle open and shuts down the flow of gas.

I've had one fail at a local gas station. I had to pay for the extra gas that spilled out, too. (Unfortunately, I was washing windows on the other side of the car when it filled up.) The employees just hosed it off the asphalt into the sewer.

This is the music that was playing on the gas station's Musak system.

She's HOT!

9beers: I've been putting gas in cars for close to 30 years and have never seen a shutoff valve fail. Did she put a zip tie around it or something?

I had one fail on me at a gas station in NYC - sprayed diesel all over myself. Not a fun 4 hour drive back home, diesel really reeks.

/CSB

even if I had the trigger "locked" down so I could wash windows, get beer, never had it fail. Nor have I ever seen the giant red emergency stop button used either.

Happened to my mom, once. She ended up not having to pay for it. She wasn't asleep, just didn't notice.

That's a hard 34 years she's carryin'...shame. Looks like she was pretty once.

Xanax, oxycodone and hydrocodone...damn, no wonder she was asleep.
Xanax (aka 'numb-it-all') is nasty shiat...
turns you into a doorstop or possibly a hatrack that stares and drools.

FarkinHostile: 9beers: I've been putting gas in cars for close to 30 years and have never seen a shutoff valve fail. Did she put a zip tie around it or something?

Wouldn't work, its a air pressure mechanism. As the gas level in the tank rises, the distance between the dispenser nozzle and the fuel grows smaller. A small pipe called a venturi runs alongside the gas nozzle. When the end of the venturi pipe becomes submerged in the rising gas, it chokes off the air pressure that holds the nozzle handle open and shuts down the flow of gas.

Well, thank you. That's one of those things I always kind of wondered about in the back of my head but never bothered to google. I feel enlightened. You get one free internet.

What's wrong with falling asleep in your vehicle? That's how I want to die, peacefully in my sleep, like my grandpa did. Not screaming in terror like his passengers.

9beers: I've been putting gas in cars for close to 30 years and have never seen a shutoff valve fail. Did she put a zip tie around it or something?

About 5 years into ownership my old 04 Cavalier would overflow if I left the pump running. Holy hell the first time that happened! Scared the crap outta me, not to mention the jacked up bill I had to pay for all that extra gas that dripped down the side of my car...

In other news. How does one go about fitting the whole entire gas pump in a gas tank. I can see the nozzle fitting there.

Edsel: 9beers: I've been putting gas in cars for close to 30 years and have never seen a shutoff valve fail. Did she put a zip tie around it or something?

I had one fail on me at a gas station in NYC - sprayed diesel all over myself. Not a fun 4 hour drive back home, diesel really reeks.

/CSB

Curious - the last time that I was in that nape of the woods, neck of the way, I wasn't allowed to
pump my own fuel...is that a gas v. diesel thing, or was I just this side of the NJ border (I was told it was the same in NYC as well)?

cwolf20: In other news. How does one go about fitting the whole entire gas pump in a gas tank. I can see the nozzle fitting there.

Your gas tank already has one fuel pump inside it. Why wouldn't you be able to add one?

9beers: I've been putting gas in cars for close to 30 years and have never seen a shutoff valve fail. Did she put a zip tie around it or something?

I have seen them fail quite often, which is why I never rely on them.

9beers: I've been putting gas in cars for close to 30 years and have never seen a shutoff valve fail. Did she put a zip tie around it or something?

It happened to me once. Luckily I wasn't asleep, so I was able to shut it off before too much gasoline went and leaked all over the place.

honk: I've had one fail at a local gas station. I had to pay for the extra gas that spilled out, too. (Unfortunately, I was washing windows on the other side of the car when it filled up.) The employees just hosed it off the asphalt into the sewer.

Same thing happened to me years ago. They fail on ocasion and it surpises me that we don't have more fires.

Did the police even bother to check to see if she had a medical issue before going to the 'must be intoxicated with something' thought? My first thought was did she succomb to fumes or something. She needs meth so this won't happen again.

/yes, last sentence is a joke

9beers: I've been putting gas in cars for close to 30 years and have never seen a shutoff valve fail. Did she put a zip tie around it or something?

not CSB time:
I saw one fail on a suburban owner that had walked away from the car. As I pulled into the gas station I saw this suburban which had a significant puddle under the vehicle. I got out of my car and started yelling at people as I ran over, someone else got to the car first and clicked it off. The guy ended up pumping over 50 gallons and the bill was about $200. He argued with the attendant and they agreed on a fair price to pay for filling his vehicle. The part I couldn't believe is how many other customers either didn't notice or ignored this suburban as it leaked 20-30 gallons of fuel onto the pavement.

Why did someone call the cops and let them handle the whole thing instead of shutting the gas off and then calling the cops? And why was the gas pump "still running"? aren't those things supposed to shut off automatically even if the user isn't paying attention?

9beers: I've been putting gas in cars for close to 30 years and have never seen a shutoff valve fail. Did she put a zip tie around it or something?

I've had it happen once to me.

I stuck the hose in my work van since I had a 25 gal tank, and went into the store to get something to drink. As I am standing at the register, I look out and see gas pouring down the side of my van. I run out to click it off, and some douchebag who was filling up his BMW right next to my van was just watching it pour. He says "I was wondering when you were gonna come get that." I replied "Well I really farking appreciate you just watching it go, you asshole. I am sure it would have taken way too much of your precious time to reach over, and click the handle off." He kinda scowls at me and says "Well it's not my responsibility" and I say "Are you farking stupid or something? You're standing right next to a pump that is spewing gasoline all over the place, and you don't find that cause for concern? Yes it IS your responsibility. Not as a job that pays you, but as a human farking being! If that gas were to be ignited by, say, a hot catalytic converter, I think it would interest you very much as you are currently holding a hose from that same damn pump, you dumb bastard. Maybe next time you can try not being such a gigantic douche-nozzle."
He looks at me for a second, give me a rather curt "Fark you" and gets in his car. I tell him I hope his kids die in a car fire.

I ending up dumping about 3 gallons on the ground.

And yes, I have used zip ties when the station didn't have a working clicker. (But not that time)

Edsel: 9beers: I've been putting gas in cars for close to 30 years and have never seen a shutoff valve fail. Did she put a zip tie around it or something?

I had one fail on me at a gas station in NYC - sprayed diesel all over myself. Not a fun 4 hour drive back home, diesel really reeks.
/CSB

bet your skin was nice and soft after that ride. next time I would recommend getting some soap from the gas station store and then going over to the free water hose to drench yourself. the fumes are bad, but you are lucky that enough fuel didn't seep into your body to make you pass out or kill you.

MythDragon: 9beers: I've been putting gas in cars for close to 30 years and have never seen a shutoff valve fail. Did she put a zip tie around it or something?

I've had it happen once to me.

I stuck the hose in my work van since I had a 25 gal tank, and went into the store to get something to drink. As I am standing at the register, I look out and see gas pouring down the side of my van. I run out to click it off, and some douchebag who was filling up his BMW right next to my van was just watching it pour. He says "I was wondering when you were gonna come get that." I replied "Well I really farking appreciate you just watching it go, you asshole. I am sure it would have taken way too much of your precious time to reach over, and click the handle off." He kinda scowls at me and says "Well it's not my responsibility" and I say "Are you farking stupid or something? You're standing right next to a pump that is spewing gasoline all over the place, and you don't find that cause for concern? Yes it IS your responsibility. Not as a job that pays you, but as a human farking being! If that gas were to be ignited by, say, a hot catalytic converter, I think it would interest you very much as you are currently holding a hose from that same damn pump, you dumb bastard. Maybe next time you can try not being such a gigantic douche-nozzle."
He looks at me for a second, give me a rather curt "Fark you" and gets in his car. I tell him I hope his kids die in a car fire.

What is the difference between BMWs and porcupines?

davidab: 9beers: I've been putting gas in cars for close to 30 years and have never seen a shutoff valve fail. Did she put a zip tie around it or something?

not CSB time:
I saw one fail on a suburban owner that had walked away from the car. As I pulled into the gas station I saw this suburban which had a significant puddle under the vehicle. I got out of my car and started yelling at people as I ran over, someone else got to the car first and clicked it off. The guy ended up pumping over 50 gallons and the bill was about $200. He argued with the attendant and they agreed on a fair price to pay for filling his vehicle. The part I couldn't believe is how many other customers either didn't notice or ignored this suburban as it leaked 20-30 gallons of fuel onto the pavement.

I had a suburban once. If that guy would have sat long enough, I'm sure the suburban would have soaked up all the spilled gas. Those farkers use gas quicker than I drink Diet Cherry Coke. I did save my life one time, but I almost went broke feeding it.

Been driving for almost 30 years, never had one fail on me.

/git off mah lahwn!

Terrydatroll: I have seen them fail quite often, which is why I never rely on them.

Same.

It took me two occurrences at the same pump at a certain gas station before I realized it wasn't my filler hose or some anomaly on my side.

Both times it didn't stop and instead showered gas from underneath the nozzle. I was right there and stopped and I think it was around 1/2 gallon. No other pump anywhere has done that to me with this same vehicle or the one before my last. Now every time I pump, I watch and listen pretty closely when it gets to within a gallon or so of where I think it should be.

Side note:The one before my last (Subaru Impreza WRX) was unbelievably touchy about topping off. A few times I thought the shut off tripped prematurely and gave it a quick squeeze only to have that gas come right back out. No topping off whatsoever with that car.

"After being awakened, police and Metro EMS said 34-year-old Melissa Bradley appeared to be under the influence. Police found pills identified as Xanax, Oxycodone and Hydrocodone in the car. Bradley faces drug charges."

I wonder why there isn't a DUI charge.

lack of warmth: Did the police even bother to check to see if she had a medical issue before going to the 'must be intoxicated with something' thought?

If she's a chronic meth-head my guess is that they pretty much knew her on sight. Not that this is guaranteed, but it's a strong possibility.

The police usually have a pretty good idea who the ne'er do wells in the community are, even the ones who haven't done anything all that felonious. There's a fark ton of petty criminals out there who go from one misdemeanor to another.

pedrop357: Same.

---SNIP---



Contradicted myself/missed the point of the original post. I don't see them fail quite often, but can easily see how this can happen based on my experience at that station. I can easily see the same thing in the article happening at that pump. Yes, I told the attendant. No, I don't know if anything was done because I still avoid it.

davidab: 9beers: I've been putting gas in cars for close to 30 years and have never seen a shutoff valve fail. Did she put a zip tie around it or something?

not CSB time:
I saw one fail on a suburban owner that had walked away from the car. As I pulled into the gas station I saw this suburban which had a significant puddle under the vehicle. I got out of my car and started yelling at people as I ran over, someone else got to the car first and clicked it off. The guy ended up pumping over 50 gallons and the bill was about $200. He argued with the attendant and they agreed on a fair price to pay for filling his vehicle. The part I couldn't believe is how many other customers either didn't notice or ignored this suburban as it leaked 20-30 gallons of fuel onto the pavement.

Monekysphere.

GET UP! You're asleep at the wheel

Suburbans have a 40 gallon tank, so pumping 50 is not so bad.

We have found the last gas pump in the country without an automatic shutoff... Someone rush it to a museum STAT!

Langdon Alger: Suburbans have a 40 gallon tank, so pumping 50 is not so bad.

My suburban had a 46 gal tank. It was a really PITA to have to swipe my card three times to fill up.

Langdon Alger: Suburbans have a 40 gallon tank, so pumping 50 is not so bad.

they may have 40-50 tanks but in my incident there was a small lake forming under it. There was easily 20 gallons on the ground.

Sin_City_Superhero [TotalFark]

Your gas tank already has one fuel pump inside it. Why wouldn't you be able to add one?

Possibly because I was thinking of that big thing cars pull up to that used to go "ding ding ding" years ago before technology took away the fun sound? As gas is pumping out through that hose connected to it, through the nozzle that's in turn inside this hole called the opening to the gas tank, and into the tank?

as someone who works in the industry, i would like to point out to people that it is rather unwise to go do your shopping while gasoline is being dispensed into your vehicle.
sure, shutoffs should work all the time, but we do not live in a perfect world, and they overflow quite a bit based on varying factors.
you are operating the machine. please don't leave it unattended, just for basic safety.

9beers: I've been putting gas in cars for close to 30 years and have never seen a shutoff valve fail. Did she put a zip tie around it or something?

I've had it happen to me once. I was standing there but it dumped something approaching a gallon (as measured by what it pumped vs how much space there should have been in my tank.) before I could get to it and shut it off.

honk: I've had one fail at a local gas station. I had to pay for the extra gas that spilled out, too. (Unfortunately, I was washing windows on the other side of the car when it filled up.) The employees just hosed it off the asphalt into the sewer.

It's their fault their pump didn't shut off, you shouldn't have to pay. The clerk took off the extra when it happened to me.

Well that's better than being woken up by the fire department.

I have only had an auto shutoff fail once. Gas poured all down the side of the car, luckily none splashed on me.

A baa years ago I chatted a woman with a brand new Escalade at the gas station while we were pumping our gas. She previously had a small BMW before having twins(4 kids total). I said something about the gas mileage change being a shocker. She replied, "No, it's got a big gas tank so I don't even notice." I guess her husband pays the credit card bill.

Loren: It's their fault their pump didn't shut off, you shouldn't have to pay.

That was my argument, too. Their argument was that I should have been watching the nozzle the whole time, and washed windows after filling. After more discussion, they called their (off-site) manager, who told them to just call the cops on me for non-payment. At that point, it wasn't worth the hassle to argue any more.

Sounds like gross negligence on the part of the gas station. The EPA should probably have words with them.

davidab: Langdon Alger: Suburbans have a 40 gallon tank, so pumping 50 is not so bad.

they may have 40-50 tanks but in my incident there was a small lake forming under it. There was easily 20 gallons on the ground.

that sucks---I remember filling up my dad's various Suburbans that he owned over the years---he sold Caterpillar machines here in Texas over several counties and would get into some pretty remote sites---if it got to half a tank, he would fill it back up---but that's still 20 gallons still to go that I would pump while he paid, got lotto tickets, and skoal.

Lurk sober post drunk: as someone who works in the industry, i would like to point out to people that it is rather unwise to go do your shopping while gasoline is being dispensed into your vehicle.
sure, shutoffs should work all the time, but we do not live in a perfect world, and they overflow quite a bit based on varying factors.
you are operating the machine. please don't leave it unattended, just for basic safety.

That. It's all I can manage to keep myself from going out like Wile E. Coyote. You don't want to entrust me with your life, too.