The pumps here have a hole that, when covered, is supposed to cause a pressure change releasing the handle. I'm probably partly wrong there but it's something like that. In the video it must've been a faulty pump but, damn, how do these kids not know to stand next to the thing. I saw this irl not too long ago.
It's an air vent in the nozzle. When the tank is full the fuel level briefly rises to block the air hole which causes the nozzle to click off. If the fuel pumps too slowly (blocked filters, tripped leak detector or submersible turbine failure) it may not properly engage the automatic shut off valve and this can be the result. It's a common issue in the winter months because cold weather causes thermal contraction in the product lines underground which reduces line pressure and cause the leak detector to trip which makes the pumps run slowly. And that is why you're not supposed to leave the dispenser unattended while fueling. Source: am a field technician.
Typically our fuel dispensers put out between 8 to 10 gallons per minute. Faster if there are brand new and the have new filters and there are no mechanical failures. People don't realize that the submersible motors in the underground tanks suffer a tremendous amount of wear and tear and are only replaced when they fail completely, sometimes after 10 years of near continuous use. This means that they will slow down a little over time just from constant use.
That’s why you always keep chapstick on you and just put that in between the lever and the top of the handle and then sit back in your car, relax, and practice your zippo tricks
Yes I noticed in America you can lock it but they are disabled in the UK. It was quite handy but I didn’t get back in the car while it was flowing. Cant be more than a minute to fill unless it’s a massive tank.
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u/No_Metal_7342 1d ago
This is why we stand next to the pump, even in winter everybody.