Engine shuts off when opening gas cap, what causes this?

Tiny
NOOPIES
  • MEMBER
  • 2016 CHEVROLET COLORADO
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 114,563 MILES
When I open the gas cap, I hear a lot of air and the truck will shut off. Then it is extremely hard to start back. What could be causing this?
Friday, August 19th, 2022 AT 4:29 AM

2 Replies

Tiny
AL514
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,677 POSTS
Hello, you're opening the gas cap with the vehicle running? Turn off the engine before you get gas, when you open the gas cap with the engine running, the Purge valve is most likely open at that point and you're causing a huge vacuum leak into the intake manifold. Shutting down the engine will close the Purge valve, open the vent valve and allow for refueling. Thats what the air sound is, its manifold vacuum being drawn into the gas filler pipe. Vehicles are not designed to be refueled when running. You're causing a huge Evap leak.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/evap-system-code-repair
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Friday, August 19th, 2022 AT 9:42 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,536 POSTS
The purge solenoid could be stuck open remove the valve and try to blow through it to confirm, here is the location in the images below. Let me know what you find.
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Friday, August 19th, 2022 AT 9:47 AM

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