When pumping gas into the tank it starts to sputter until it eventually shuts off?

Tiny
RUSSELL BUTLER
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 TOYOTA RAV4
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 181,773 MILES
Car runs great and will idle all day long.
When I'm literally pumping gas into the tank it starts to sputter until it eventually shuts off. Cranks right up and won't sputter or shut off again until I refill tank.
Wednesday, August 9th, 2023 AT 7:39 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,496 POSTS
First off you should never fill the tank with the engine running as it is a safety hazard, however your description sounds like a bad purge valve. It is the piece that allows the EVAP system to burn off the fuel vapors it collects in the EVAP charcoal canister to keep it out of the air. It is supposed to stay closed until it runs an EVAP test or it want's to purge the fumes. In your case it is stuck open (common) and when you are filling the tank the fuel/air vapors in the tank are being pushed into the engine which causes it to run very rich as it tries to burn all the extra fuel. It's very easy to test and replace it. Open the hood and find the valve as shown, Remove the two hose clamps, unplug the electrical connector and remove the valve. To test it you can simply blow through it, with it disconnected you shouldn't be able to blow through it in either direction. If you can it's bad. However if it isn't sticking hard, sometimes the motions of removal will cause it to close and test good, but still be faulty. Generally I will test them on the vehicle by disconnecting the line that goes to the canister (right hand hose in image) with the engine running, and unplugging the electrical connector. If it is stuck open the engine idle will rise from the vacuum leak and you will feel vacuum at the hose port. Reverse the process to install it.
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Thursday, August 10th, 2023 AT 4:14 AM
Tiny
RUSSELL BUTLER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank ya'll very much, I'll give it a try. Tell me how I can get some money to you again please?
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Thursday, August 10th, 2023 AT 6:03 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,496 POSTS
The service is free but I believe there is a donation link for the site in the new question area?
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Thursday, August 10th, 2023 AT 6:10 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,756 POSTS
Here is the link, thank you in advance!

https://gofund.me/c7d318ad

Use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Please tell a friend.
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Thursday, August 10th, 2023 AT 6:29 PM

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