Car stalls

Asked by topnotch Oct 12, 2014 at 01:06 PM about the 2004 Kia Optima EX V6

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My  kia optima engine wont start after
the tank is fuel, engine wont go on for
several attempts once it goes on runs
great till the next fill up. Why

3 Answers

65

Is it difficult to get gasoline into the tank as well? I knew of a Chevrolet Trailblazer and a Kia SUV which had a similar problem. The charcoal canister was bad and caused vapor lock. There was no or little air getting out while the tanks were being filled so that cause the fuel station's pump to click often because the gasoline was backing up, then after it drained you could add some more. The Trailblazer ran like crap on a full tank because of the vapor lock. Explore that option, and try not briming the tank, leave some breathing space.

1 people found this helpful.
10

Let me just start out by saying I'm an ASE certified Master Automotive technician and I own my own business. The reason your car won't start for several attempts after you fill up the tank is because your purge valve is stuck open. If it's stuck open all the vapor that is supposed to go into the charcoal canister while you're filling up is going into the engine and essentially it floods the engine while you're sitting there filling up. Thus when you go to start it it won't start because it's flooded. If you hold the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and try to start it this should help until you get the purge valve replaced. When you hold the accelerator pedal to the floor the computer goes into clear flood mode and Cuts fuel to the engine while you're trying to start so it doesn't continue to flood it. I would try that and see if that helps. But if you can afford it placed the purge valve as it's usually a fairly cheap part and it's usually right on top of the engine somewhere on the intake manifold. Hope you got it figured out. Cheers!

1 people found this helpful.

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