Unable to fill fuel tank on sportrak

Forum: 

I have a minor problem with my 1996 sportrak. When I put petrol in the tank I am unable to put more than about fifteen litres into a near empty tank before the pump nozzle starts locking off. I have had the vehicle for about three years and quite often when it has been sitting for a while there is a strong smell of petrol inside, which goes quite quickly when moving. I took the tank out some time ago and cleaned and painted it as rust had badly corroded the top and was rather mystified by all the pipework and the plastic do-hickey hidden behind the panel in the rear of the vehicle. I have only noticed the fuel filling problem in the last few weeks and wonder if it could have something to do with the do-hickey which on inspection appears to be an empty sealed container serving no useful purpose. Can anyone enlighten me about this and or shed some light on my filling problem.

Fuel gauge.

Is the tanky empty or half full? Perhaps your fuel gauge is faulty.
Try dipping the tank with a stick when the fuel gauge shows empty to discover if the gauge is accurate.