Q: Engine sputtering after refueling

asked by on January 31, 2017

Got gas and got up road and check engine light came on and blinked for about 10 seconds and stopped blinking and then the car started to sputter and has been sputtering ever since

My car has 138000 miles.
My car has a manual transmission.

Evaporation Vent Solenoid Replacement $127.55 - $417.61 Get a Quote

Hi There, This is likely related to your EVAP emissions system and something called a purge solenoid. 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. When this is not working properly, you may experience the gas pump shutting off prematurely causing it to take a very long time to fill up your fuel tank. This is due to the excess fuel vapor that is present when the purge solenoid is not working properly by releasing these vapors. The gas pumps at the fuel station have automatic sensors on them (for safety reasons) that shut off automatically when too much fuel vapor is present. I would recommend having an expert from Your Mechanic come to your home to take a look at your car to diagnose your EVAP purge solenoid.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Acceleration problems in 2004 Toyota Solara
Your particular vehicle has an electronic throttle body that drives by wire, rather than a mechanical cable. The electronic throttle body relies on signals from the accelerator pedal to know how much to open or close the throttle plate. A...
When the gas is pressed, the RPM increases, can't accelerate
From what you are describing with the RPMs going high and the vehicle not moving, it sounds like you have a transmission that is not shifting or is slipping. There is a technical bulletin that may stop the flare and...
temp gauge shot through the roof, heard rattling in engine, smoke coming from lower passenger side of engine, belts slight squeek
If your engine temperature overheated, then you have problems in the cooling system. Running it low on oil does not help an engine. If you are getting smoking and noise from the engine, then you need to have the engine...
Car won't start - 2001 Nissan Sentra
Hello and thanks for your question. You have an issue with either the alternator not producing any amperage or there is a bad connection from the battery to starter. Also, there could be an issue with the clutch switch. Check...
The traction light is on but the button on the console says it's off. Is it safe to drive the car?
Your car should be safe to drive, however this suggests that you may have a traction control system problem. Your car is equipped with wheel speed sensors at each of the four wheels which monitor wheel speed while relaying this...
I use a lot of antifreeze like 2 gallons a week
This suggests that your engine is either leaking the anti-freeze out of the cooling system or you may have a blown cylinder head gasket. In the case of a leak, this will be noticeable by the coolant being leaked out...
How do I turn off the wrench shaped light on the dash
You will need to have the vehicle computer scanned and diagnosed (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/check-engine-light-is-on-inspection) by a mechanic like one from YourMechanic that can come to you so you do not have to drive the vehicle before having the vehicle checked. The light...
The sound has stopped working from my aux input in my fusion. It says line in but will not play any sound. Any advice??
It sounds like you may be having an issue with the auxilary cord itself. These cords often times fail internally causing one or more speakers to stop playing sound. I would recommend getting a new aux cord to rule out...
Truck won't idle stalls reduced engine power is on
Hi There, Generally, the check engine light (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/check-engine-light-is-on-inspection) comes on when something fairly serious is going on with the vehicle. This can happen for many different reasons such as a faulty mass air flow sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/mass-airflow-sensor-replacement), a faulty O2 sensor...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Combining Combining rugged performance with an iconic boxy exterior style, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a hallmark of the SUV segment. It manages to combine true off-road capabilities with luxurious comfort and outstanding on-road performance in a way that most...
A Buyer's Guide to the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK
If If you’re in the market for a compact SUV, it’s tough to think of a better option than the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK. In case the car manufacturer’s name doesn’t carry enough weight to convince you, consider some of the...
5 Comfortable Sports Cars Your Parents Won't Complain About Riding In
The most comfortable sports cars combine high performance with a smooth ride. Options include the Alpina B6, Audi S8 Plus, and Mercedes-AMG S65.