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Hesitation and shutting off after gas fill up

Tiny
JDOWNS1515
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 KIA SPECTRA
  • 89,000 MILES
I just filled up my car to the brim. I noticed hesitation right away as I drove and when I stop it will sometimes shut off. When I put the car back in park and can restart it no problem. No check engine light is coming on. I have never had this problem before. Did I get bad gas? Thank you, Julie Downs
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 1:15 PM

15 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

Hi, Julie. When you say you filled it to the brim, that isn't always a good thing. When the pump first automatically shuts off, that is when you should stop. Since this happened since the fill up, if in fact you did over fill it, there is a chance raw fuel made its way into the evaporative emissions system. I hate to say it, but you need to drive it in a safe place until the gauge starts to drop to see if it takes care of itself.

Did you fill it to the top of the filler tube?

Let me know.

Joe
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 9:09 PM
Tiny
JDOWNS1515
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  • 8 POSTS
Joe, I did do exactly what you said. I normally do not fill completely as gas has gone back up in price, but I sure did this time. I will follow your advice. I am glad to hear from you as I am a 66 year old senior citizen who knows little about cars. I am relieved that this may correct itself. I will keep you posted. Thank you so much. Julie downs
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Friday, April 19th, 2019 AT 6:02 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
Julie:

You are very welcome. If by chance the check engine light comes on, let me know. And remember, you are always welcome here. Let us know if we can help in any way.

Happy Easter,
Joe
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Friday, April 19th, 2019 AT 7:06 PM
Tiny
JDOWNS1515
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Joe, thank you very much. If it's okay with you, may I keep you posted when this improves?
Is it possible I need a new air filter? Happy Easter to you. Julie Downs
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Saturday, April 20th, 2019 AT 6:54 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
Welcome back:

Julie, I would be upset if you didn't keep me posted. LOL Yes, let me know. Also, the air filter wouldn't have been affected by the fuel fill up. However, I like how you are thinking because a plugged air filter can cause a hesitation or rich fuel mixture issue.

Regardless, let me know what happens or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Saturday, April 20th, 2019 AT 6:53 PM
Tiny
JDOWNS1515
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Hi Joe. I wanted to update on the car situation. The hesitation seems to be lessening. The dying out is still happening, however, it seems that the car is idling longer at stop lights than before when it would immediately die upon stopping. I thought my fuel indicator would never get off E or should I say above E. The indicator is now just below E. Do you think this latest news is good news? Thank you, sir. Julie Downs
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Monday, April 29th, 2019 AT 7:07 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
Hi, Julie:

Aprox how many miles have you put on the vehicle? And are you referring to the gas gauge when you say E? E=empty?

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, April 29th, 2019 AT 7:12 PM
Tiny
JDOWNS1515
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Hey, Joe. You can't read my mind? Ha. Yes, E= empty. My mileage is almost 90, 00. Julie
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Monday, April 29th, 2019 AT 7:20 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
Julie:

Actually, I was worried you were going to run out of gas. LOL It seems to be improving. Put maybe a half of tank more in it and drive it out. If that doesn't help, we will need to start checking other things. Tell me, has the check engine light come on and stayed on with the engine running?

If it isn't on and the car continues to run poorly, we need to check what is called the charcoal canister. This canister is made to only have fumes in it. If it has raw fuel in it, that is most likely the problem. The canister is near the gas tank. I attached a picture showing the entire system. Note number 10 in the pic. We will need to disconnect it to see if there is raw fuel in it. But lets give it one more try.

Joe
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Monday, April 29th, 2019 AT 8:06 PM
Tiny
JDOWNS1515
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Joe, I must be losing my dang mind. I DIDNOT mean empty, I meant full. I am so sorry to be such a dolt. I noticed this morning, that I am not at the 3/4 full line. No check engine light, thank heavens. Also the smell of gas seems to have dissapated. Julie
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Tuesday, April 30th, 2019 AT 3:13 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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LOL! You sound like me. Not a problem. Just see if it goes away by the time you need to refuel. I was wondering how you went through so much gas so quickly. LOL I thought something was up when you said you thought it would never come off E. LOL Then you said it's just below E. That is why I was worried you would run out of gas.

Take care and keep in touch.

Joe
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Tuesday, April 30th, 2019 AT 6:46 PM
Tiny
JDOWNS1515
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Hey, Joe! The hesitating has all but stopped. And the dying out appears to be stopped. I am keeping my fingers crossed and being observant. I am not even at a half tank yet. As you know, the indicator stayed on F (not E) forever. Still no engine light, thank goodness. Most sincerely, Julie Downs
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Monday, May 6th, 2019 AT 11:26 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
Welcome back, Julie.
I had a feeling it would clean itself up for you. Next time you fill the tank, as soon as the pump clicks off indicating full, don't add any more.

Please feel free to keep in touch if something changes or if you have a question.

Take care,
Joe
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Monday, May 6th, 2019 AT 6:26 PM
Tiny
JDOWNS1515
  • MEMBER
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Hi Joe. Yes, I will pay attention to the pump! Thank you for getting me through this. You have been a real lifesaver! I was so worried, but you were terrific! I'm going to miss our chats. Thank you again. Most Sincerely, Julie Downs
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Thursday, May 9th, 2019 AT 4:53 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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You are very welcome.

Take care,

Joe
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Thursday, May 9th, 2019 AT 6:13 PM

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