OK. I'm gonna try and describe this as best I can. I looked around online and can't seem to find any answers, maybe I am just searching the wrong word.

I have a 04 4.0L 4x4. Every since I got the truck it has had a slight issue with pumping gas. Basically if I pump the gas from the nozzle as fast as it will pump, the nozzle will shut off as if the gas tank is full. It wasn't terrible, but it was annoying, I would have to pump slowly and it would take longer to fill up but it was bearable. I recently had some repair work done at 2 shops back to back for unrelated issues. After getting the truck back the problem was magically gone. I could pump full blast every time anywhere I got gas. Well now today the problem is back, and with a vengeance, it now takes FOREVER to fill my tank. I literally have to squeeze the nozzle just enough to get it going but not trip the cutoff. If I twist the nozzle to the side while filling the effect is not as terrible, but still have to pump very slow.

Does anyone have any ideas what could possibly be causing this?

Thanks in advance for anyone willing to offer any advice.

Filler neck issue.

So you think I should just replace the filler neck itself? It's not an issue with the tank or anything right?

It may be just as easy as replacing the filler neck, but I really can't say since I have never experienced that same problem. No, it's not a fuel tank issue.

Have you tried fueling at different gas stations? Does it do the same thing?

I know Dodge's have a problem like that, and its the vent tube, gets a kink, they replace it and its better...check the vent tube.

Did any of the repairs have any work done around those areas?
I am thinking, possibly it got un-kinked with their repairs, and now is kinked again, and worse...

Vent tube, that would be my guess

Yes various gas stations are better or worse. But in general it's way worse now. Just came back today, I stopped at 3 stations on the way home just to be sure.

I looked around online as well with O'Reilly's and no one seems to have a filler neck for an 04. I took a look underneath and I guess I will order one online somewhere that looks as close as possible maybe from another close year model.

One repair was for minor rear end damage, replaced the bumper, hitch, ect. The other was brake flush and power brake booster replaced.

I am guessing it's possible the hoses got messed around a bit in the repairs. And maybe a bit of goofing off (read: inappropriate driving) brought the issue back. I crawled underneath and moved the hoses in place a bit, I will check again after my commute to and from tomorrow and see if it helps at all.

And after some more searching, I found a similar issues alot of people seem to have with Explorer Sport Tracs over on explorerforums.

also another item they replace is the evap solenoid, gets dirty

again tho, this is dodge, i just remember this because we had one in here 2 months ago with the exact same problem you are having, not sure of what similarities the 2 vehicles may share

That's what everyone at EF was pointing to. Could you tell me where this is located?

umm my 04 does this too, so does my 08 and brand new 10 work truck...i just put it down as a "ranger" thing

OP- I have/had the same problem with my truck. I know exactly the frustration you are feeling as it sometimes will take forever to pump and I would end up just saying screw it and only putting a little in.

I will direct this to Torreador4x4 who helped me make the situation bearable. Basically right now the problem is sometimes there but in the last few fill ups I have been lucky and able to fill up with no stops quickly.

Pretty much what he did was I believe blow air into the evap lines to clear them up. I dont want to get into it to much because I dont really know the technical terms of what he did but he will chime in and give you a hand.

i disconnected the evap lines at the vent solenoid and purge solenoid and blew them through, then i turned the key to off and blew the vent solenoid through and blew the elbow through at the tank with the gas cap off and reconnected everything

on the dodge, the vent solenoid is on top or on the side of the tank... one of the two, no real clue as to where it is in the ranger, but i would sugest to find it, and at least clean it up.

Come to think of it, i think its on the side, because the dodge that we had, got all caked in mud, so what they do is replace it & re-route it on top of the tank to bettter protect it..

So far the only fuel problem i ever had was, just once, i was filling the tank, the pump stopped, and as everyone does, i tried to get it to an even dollar amount, but as soon as i hit the trigger again it started spewing out, all over my hand and truck...

really sucked cause i really wanted to have a smoke after i was done fueling haha, oh well

i would put money on it being the vent tube, and when they were working on the brakes or the rear, they had it in the air, saw it kinked and straightened it out for you, by hand, didn't mention it because they didn't even think of it... like flicking a piece of dirt off your door handle, or using your wiper blades...

something you can try is remove the pump handle slightly, like 1/2 inch or so, if you pull back, it will kinda like click, and sit at a slightly lower angle... i have had several vehicles with this problem intermitantly, what this does is allow the air to get past the nozzle, and not trip the sensor, it has to have air flow past the tip, or it will trip... it just lessens the resistance... just be weary of spillage... it SHOULD still click off, mine always did, but it MAY not...

This thread reminds me of the same problem with a Ford Aerostar van I had about 20 yrs ago.There was an anti siphon device installed incorrectly in the fill tube that restricted the fuel when filling.These were installed just before the tank to prevent anyone from sticking a siphon hose into the tank to steal fuel.
Is there such a thing in the newer Rangers ?

edit to add
The anti siphon is not to be confused with the reducer plate that the pump nozzle slides into.
That plate was installed on all cars and light trucks in the '70s when the changeover to unleaded gas began. Unleaded pump nozzles had a slightly smaller OD than leaded to prevent putting leaded gas in the newer vehicles.

there are anti siphon devices on most every new vehicle, which serves dual purpose to keep fuel from spilling out of the filler neck in the event of a roll over. to the best of my knowledge, these are on all vehicles from the early 90's on

try having it happen to both of your trucks, makes me want to just rip out the neck and hit some one with it :)

Sounds like a vent tube, I dont have any problems with my 04 with 55K.

I can't seem to find a replacement fuel filler neck for an 04 anywhere.

JY it

who knows the website for the JY inventory site?

my truck has had the same problem since day one let me know how you get this solved i can pump at full speed i just cant let the pump handle rest i have to hold it up

LMC truck has everything even that.

And now the problem has disappeared again in the past few days. I am sure it will be back even worse in a few weeks.

Am I looking this up under the wrong name or what?
I see no Fuel Tank Filler Neck/Fuel Filler. Already tried looking under Fuel Tank, it's not in there.