Will not start after refueling

Answer 1

I just fixed a similar problem on a Toyota Corolla. I'm not certain if your car's EVAP system setup is the same, but this could resolve your problem as well. Your car may have one or both: A refuel check valve, and/or a fuel cutoff valve. Generally these are located off of the fill tube, but the cutoff valve may be mounted on the fuel tank.

The problem occurs when your fuel tank is overfilled and/or gas flows into the EVAP line. The gas is too high in the filler neck thereby causing fuel to flow into the charcoal canister. A defective refuel and/or fuel cutoff valve would cause this problem. The cutoff valve prevents fuel from flowing into the canister, and the refuel valve helps to trigger the gas pump to stop.

Test refuel check valve (if installed) by blowing air from larger to smaller port. Air should not flow freely and the valve should open as pressure increases. Air should flow freely when blowing from smaller to larger port. Replace valve if it fails either test.

Test the fuel cutoff valve by holding it upright, as installed on car; air should flow freely. Turning upside down should prevent airflow. Also, fuel present in the check valve may indicate the tank was over filled meaning you possibly have fuel in your charcoal canister.

Is your engine warning light on? For the Toyota, code P0441 "Incorrect Purge Flow" was present. Just replacing a defective valve may not get rid of the code. It's possible that your charcoal canister was saturated with gasoline too so that may need to be replaced. I also heard of a situation where the fuel tank was contaminated and had to be cleaned.

Replacing the cutoff valve solved my problem. Good luck! Related Links: http://www.fixya.com/cars/t1795875-car_start_right_away_after_refueling http://www.2carpros.com/forum/1998-toyota-corolla-vt190664.html