The car has trouble starting after gas tank is filled up
The car has trouble starting after gas tank is filled up
My car has 52000 miles.
My car has a manual transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi There,
It sounds like you may have a problem with your evaporative emissions control system. Your car has a small purge valve called a purge solenoid in the Evaporative Emissions system that controls the venting of fumes from the fuel tank as these fumes build up inside, particularly when you are refueling the car with gas. The EVAP system prevents fuel vapors from the fuel tank from escaping into the atmosphere. The EVAP system collects and temporarily stores the fuel vapors in the charcoal canister. The charcoal canister is filled with activated carbon pellets that can absorb the fuel vapors. When the engine is running, the fuel vapors are purged from the canister and burned in the engine. The vent control valve (solenoid) controls the flow of outside air in and out of the charcoal canister. The vent valve is controlled by the engine computer (PCM). Normally the vent valve is open. It closes when the engine computer tests the EVAP system for leaks. If a leak in the EVAP system is detected, the Check Engine light will illuminate on the dash and the trouble code related to the problem will be stored in the engine computer. When an air leak is present in the EVAP system, the MAP sensor will not be able to determine the air density, and the MAF sensor will not be able to determine the volume of air, entering the engine correctly. This will lead to an over fueling situation or an under fueling situation depending on the size of the air leak and engine operating speeds and load. This may eventually lead to catalytic converter problems as well as misfiring problems. I would recommend having an expert from Your Mechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.
It sounds like you may have a problem with your evaporative emissions control system. Your car has a small purge valve called a purge solenoid in the Evaporative Emissions system that controls the venting of fumes from the fuel tank as these fumes build up inside, particularly when you are refueling the car with gas. The EVAP system prevents fuel vapors from the fuel tank from escaping into the atmosphere. The EVAP system collects and temporarily stores the fuel vapors in the charcoal canister. The charcoal canister is filled with activated carbon pellets that can absorb the fuel vapors. When the engine is running, the fuel vapors are purged from the canister and burned in the engine. The vent control valve (solenoid) controls the flow of outside air in and out of the charcoal canister. The vent valve is controlled by the engine computer (PCM). Normally the vent valve is open. It closes when the engine computer tests the EVAP system for leaks. If a leak in the EVAP system is detected, the Check Engine light will illuminate on the dash and the trouble code related to the problem will be stored in the engine computer. When an air leak is present in the EVAP system, the MAP sensor will not be able to determine the air density, and the MAF sensor will not be able to determine the volume of air, entering the engine correctly. This will lead to an over fueling situation or an under fueling situation depending on the size of the air leak and engine operating speeds and load. This may eventually lead to catalytic converter problems as well as misfiring problems. I would recommend having an expert from Your Mechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
If your car struggles to start after putting gas in there might be a problem with the fuel system, likely with the purge valve. Sometimes, some dirt or debris gets into the system, making it difficult to start the car. Cleaning the fuel filter and checking the fuel pump can help.
The misfire after getting fuel is most likely from a purge vent valve that leaks when it should be shutting off flow of vapors. The vapors flood the engine when the refilling is done with fuel vapors. This is causing the misfire. Test and replace the purge valve and clear engine codes.
Symptoms of Bad Gas
If you`ve already inspected the gas cap, the problems you are having may be due to contaminated gasoline. If the car, truck, or SUV has difficulty starting, will not accelerate, or just isn`t running right, then you might just have contaminated gas.
There are some things you must keep in mind when diagnosing misfires, especially fuel-related issues: Fuel-related misfires can be caused by too much fuel. Fuel-related misfires can be caused by too little fuel. Fuel-related misfires can be caused by incorrect atomization of the fuel by the injector.
a bad or failing fuel pump can result in an air/fuel mixture that is lean (too much air, not enough fuel). this can result incomplete combustion, otherwise known as a misfire.
The most common sign of a clogged fuel filter is trouble starting the car, since it depletes the oil supply going to the engine. Although a dirty fuel filter leads to ignition difficulty, a fully-clogged filter will fail completely, and the engine won`t start at all.
In general, the fuel filter is difficult to open, but it can still be cleaned to remove various dirt that has settled. If the dirt accumulated is too bad, you should replace a new air filter because the dirt that has settled for too long will be tough to clean and usually takes a long time.
The fuel tank may build excessive pressure due to a blocked vent. This could cause fuel to spray on occupants or bystanders when opening the fuel cap, potentially causing injury. Additionally, if an ignition source was present, this could create a risk of fire, causing injury and/or damage to property.
A clogged or failed exhaust gas recirculation or crankcase ventilation valve or faulty oxygen sensor can send the wrong signals to the computer and cause misfires.
If fuel pressure is too high, your vehicle`s engine could be over fueled, leading to many of the symptoms listed below. Some of these symptoms include your engine running rough, poor fuel economy and black smoke from the exhaust.
To confirm that your pump has failed, check the pressure in your fuel lines with a fuel pressure gauge; if it reads zero, then your pump is likely dead. You can also check your car`s fuse box; a blown fuel pump fuse is another reliable symptom of a failed pump.
Such a mixture could be caused by low fuel pressure due to a failing fuel pump, a clogged fuel filter or clogged fuel injectors. When a lean mixture combusts, it burns more slowly, meaning there will still be some air and fuel that isn`t used up when the exhaust valves open — leading to a backfire.
A plugged fuel filter will restrict fuel flow to the engine. The drop in pressure may not be noticeable at idle, but as engine speed goes up, there may be a significant drop in pressure and a decrease in flow. The fuel filter is the fuel system`s first line of defense against contaminants.
A defective fuel pump check valve (which maintains fuel pressure in the system when the vehicle is not running) may lead to long cranking times or hard starting (sometimes with stalling). The fuel pump should be replaced.
Many manufacturers recommend tightening the fuel cap until it clicks three times, which is just a random number to make sure the cap is tight. At this point — even though the engine will run fine — it would be best to bring the car into have it looked at.
Air locks are caused by air leaking into the fuel delivery line or entering from the tank; common causes include the fuel tank being allowed to run dry, changing a fuel filter, or leaky fuel lines. Air locks are eliminated by turning the engine over for a time using the starter motor, or by bleeding the fuel system.
While stopping for gas is #1 on America`s most annoying daily activities, not being able to get your gas cap off can make the situation even worse. WD-40 can make the process that much easier. Spray a little bit on your gas cap to make filling up a squeak-free process.
The check engine light should go off after you drive for several minutes if the light was caused by a loose gas cap. Pay attention to the dashboard after the check engine light experience. If you find that the light keeps coming on, and goes off again once you tighten the gas cap, then your gas cap is too loose.
Gas caps are designed to last for about 100,000 miles. In some cases, the gas cap will deteriorate at a rapid rate due to abnormally harsh conditions. Taking the time to inspect the fuel filler cap on occasion will allow you to figure out if there are any issues that need to be addressed.
The most common causes of misfires are worn, improperly installed, and mishandled spark plugs, malfunctioning ignition coils, carbon tracking, faulty spark plug wires and vacuum leaks.
A Bad Crankshaft Position Sensor
The crankshaft position sensor monitors the position and rotational speeds of the crankshaft. Without the crank sensor, the engine control module (ECM) wouldn`t know when to fire the fuel injectors and ignite the spark plugs.
If the car cranks when you turn the key, but the engine won`t start, it could be because fuel isn`t getting to the engine. One potential reason for this could be dirty fuel injectors. Over time, the fuel injector nozzles can become clogged with rust, corrosion or debris.
There are some things you must keep in mind when diagnosing misfires, especially fuel-related issues: Fuel-related misfires can be caused by too much fuel. Fuel-related misfires can be caused by too little fuel. Fuel-related misfires can be caused by incorrect atomization of the fuel by the injector.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
My car will be starting perfect and when the gas tank gets lower it will start having problems .
ANSWER : Based on the information you gave, it sounds like a possible fuel starvation issue, caused by a partially blocked, in-tank fuel filter or a crack in the fuel pump housing. The remedy would be to replace the fuel pump assembly and filter. The overheating may be caused by several things, including a stuck thermostat, faulty water pump, or even a cracked head gasket. I suggest having a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, inspect the relevant systems to pinpoint the cause of your vehicle’s hard starting issue and overheating problem.
Read Full Q/A … : The car has trouble starting after gas tank is filled up
The car has trouble starting after gas tank is filled up
ANSWER : When you fill your gas tank, a lot of fumes build up in the fuel tank and usually excess fumes come out of the fuel filled tube and out to atmosphere or into a recovery system in the fuel pump handle.
You may have a purge valve that is not sealing correctly and the fumes are going into your engine causing your engine to be flooded with fumes while you are refueling. You can help your car start by holding the throttle wide open to get extra air into the engine to get it started, and then letting off the gas once it starts. This is only a way to get it started after refueling until you get the purge valve replaced to fix the problem. If the problem persists, have a mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, diagnose your car’s hard starting problem to verify what needs to be done.
Read Full Q/A … : The car has trouble starting after gas tank is filled up
My car will not start Intermittently. I purchased a new battery 2 weeks ago and yesterday the car wouldn’t start. Got a jump and
ANSWER : The issue you are having is probably due to an intermittent fault in the starter motor itself or a deficiency in the starter electrical circuit, for example a large voltage drop due to a poor ground or a high resistance connection. These issues can be readily diagnosed and resolved on a mobile basis if you request a hard starting diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic, the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you promptly. Based on Toyota’s Factory Service Manual, the battery should not be disconnected if the vehicle engine is running. The battery acts as a large resistive voltage sink and consequently taking the battery out of the circuit, while the alternator is still running, can create a voltage spike on the car’s electrical system which is not good for voltage sensitive components such as the engine computer. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
Read Full Q/A … : The car has trouble starting after gas tank is filled up
My car would not start. The ectricty is good. I put some chemical in the gas and the car start but the engine light still on.
ANSWER : Hi there. When you have an issue with start up that was "resolved" by adding a chemical in the fuel, that leads me to believe that either you have a fuel delivery problem (caused by a dirty fuel filter, clogged fuel injectors or throttle body) or an worn out ignition problem, caused by worn spark plugs. First and foremost, I would recommend AGAINST using a chemical additive to repair your vehicle (especially if it’s an ether product as this can cause a serious backfire and could create major engine damage). Instead, have one of our mobile mechanics come to your location and complete a car is hard to start inspection.
Read Full Q/A … : The car has trouble starting after gas tank is filled up
Why doesn’t car start after running out of gas girlfriend ran gas out of car now won’t start plenty of gas in tank doesn’t sound l
ANSWER : Fuel pumps rely on liquid gasoline for cooling. Consequently, it is recommended to keep the fuel tank at least 1/4 full to prevent the fuel pump from overheating. If the pump is run to the point of being dry, the seal on the impeller can overheat and get damaged. Even if the pump subsequently runs, as you report your does, it cannot develop enough suction to pick up fuel due to the seal damage. That is possibly what has happened in your case but it should be confirmed prior to replacing the fuel pump. In your circumstance the recommended service is fuel pump replacement but if you request that, the responding certified mechanic will do enough tests to confirm that there is no other possible explanation for the failure. There is a quick and direct way to determine if the problem is lack of fuel. Procure a can of "starter fluid" from any department store. Using the material cautiously (it is highly flammable; keep away from flames or sparks), introduce some of the fluid into the intake of the engine while you engage the starter motor. If the vehicle starts and runs briefly, then you know for sure the problem is fuel starvation of course almost undoubtedly caused by the pump failing. Fuel pump replacement can be accomplished in the field, right at your location, if you desire that service.
Read Full Q/A … : The car has trouble starting after gas tank is filled up
The car has trouble starting after gas tank is filled up
ANSWER : Hi There,
It sounds like you may have a problem with your evaporative emissions control system. Your car has a small purge valve called a purge solenoid in the Evaporative Emissions system that controls the venting of fumes from the fuel tank as these fumes build up inside, particularly when you are refueling the car with gas. The EVAP system prevents fuel vapors from the fuel tank from escaping into the atmosphere. The EVAP system collects and temporarily stores the fuel vapors in the charcoal canister. The charcoal canister is filled with activated carbon pellets that can absorb the fuel vapors. When the engine is running, the fuel vapors are purged from the canister and burned in the engine. The vent control valve (solenoid) controls the flow of outside air in and out of the charcoal canister. The vent valve is controlled by the engine computer (PCM). Normally the vent valve is open. It closes when the engine computer tests the EVAP system for leaks. If a leak in the EVAP system is detected, the Check Engine light will illuminate on the dash and the trouble code related to the problem will be stored in the engine computer. When an air leak is present in the EVAP system, the MAP sensor will not be able to determine the air density, and the MAF sensor will not be able to determine the volume of air, entering the engine correctly. This will lead to an over fueling situation or an under fueling situation depending on the size of the air leak and engine operating speeds and load. This may eventually lead to catalytic converter problems as well as misfiring problems. I would recommend having an expert from Your Mechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.
It sounds like you may have a problem with your evaporative emissions control system. Your car has a small purge valve called a purge solenoid in the Evaporative Emissions system that controls the venting of fumes from the fuel tank as these fumes build up inside, particularly when you are refueling the car with gas. The EVAP system prevents fuel vapors from the fuel tank from escaping into the atmosphere. The EVAP system collects and temporarily stores the fuel vapors in the charcoal canister. The charcoal canister is filled with activated carbon pellets that can absorb the fuel vapors. When the engine is running, the fuel vapors are purged from the canister and burned in the engine. The vent control valve (solenoid) controls the flow of outside air in and out of the charcoal canister. The vent valve is controlled by the engine computer (PCM). Normally the vent valve is open. It closes when the engine computer tests the EVAP system for leaks. If a leak in the EVAP system is detected, the Check Engine light will illuminate on the dash and the trouble code related to the problem will be stored in the engine computer. When an air leak is present in the EVAP system, the MAP sensor will not be able to determine the air density, and the MAF sensor will not be able to determine the volume of air, entering the engine correctly. This will lead to an over fueling situation or an under fueling situation depending on the size of the air leak and engine operating speeds and load. This may eventually lead to catalytic converter problems as well as misfiring problems. I would recommend having an expert from Your Mechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.
Read Full Q/A … : The car has trouble starting after gas tank is filled up
I have trouble starting the vehicle every time I put gas in the car
ANSWER : As you may know, this issue is commonly related to the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system which is comprised of a few components, one of which you have already addressed, the purge valve. In some cases, when you have an air leak in the EVAP system, then the manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor will not be able to determine the air density, and the mass airflow (MAF) sensor will not be able to correctly determine the volume of air entering the engine. This will lead to an over-fueling or under-fueling situation depending on the size of the air leak and the engine’s operating speeds and load. This could eventually lead to destroying the catalytic converter as well. I would recommend having an expert technician, such as one from YourMechanic, take a look at your car to diagnose your starting and stalling problems.
Read Full Q/A … : The car has trouble starting after gas tank is filled up
Hard startup immediately after fill up with gas. Then starts quickly each time until next fill up.
ANSWER : The most common cause of hard start after fill up is going to be the excessive gas fumes during refueling the vehicle will flood the engine causing the hard or no start. The excessive fumes will normally be stored in the emission control system carbon canister and then when you get into a cruising speed the purge control valve will open and the engine will use the excessive fumes to run the engine. This is what should happen but in your case the purge control valve is not holding back the fumes when you refuel and leaks the fumes into the engine when it should not be causing the over rich fuel condition. The purge valve is mounted on the engine near the fuel injection system. The purge valve should be vacuum checked for leaks and replaced if leaking when off.
Read Full Q/A … : The car has trouble starting after gas tank is filled up
