Gas Tank Problem

[Michael Dowd]

I have a 2004 Tahoe and am having difficulty filling the gas tank. When I attempt to fill it I can only get gas into it running the pump handle at the lowest possible setting and even then it clicks off frequently during the fill up. When it clicks off you can hear the tank releasing pressure which is strange. I have pulled the tank and verified that the lines are in good shape, are not damaged, and that they are not plugged. While the tank was out I also replaced the fuel pump because I was there.
Has anyone had the same issue and if so what was the cause and what you did to repair it.
I will appreciate any guidance that you can provide.
It is very frustrating and with winter coming I do not want to be spending 15-20 minutes filling my gas tank.

 

[tom032792]

I had a same problem with my last vehicle (98 Lincoln Town Car), and it didn't matter if you put the gas in fast or slow or somewhere in the middle. However, what I found made it take gas better would be to tilt the gas nozzle to either side. For some reason this made it better and it would take the gas like normal, but the second the nozzle tilted back to the position it wanted to be in without me holding it, it would stop again.

Just something to try. As for the root cause, I have absolutely no idea.

 

[Michael Dowd]

Update

I wanted to update my situation and see if anyone may have gone thru this and resolved it since my original posting. The condition has not worsened but has not gotten any better either. It still will only take gas at the lowest setting and fortunately it was a very mild winter and I did not freeze anything off standing there pumping.
I did get an error code, P0446, which is indicating an EVAP Emission Control System Vent Circuit Malfunction. Talking to several local parts stores they do not have any clue on what this means and 1 said to start replacing parts. Not much help.
I would greatly appreciate any advise, suggestions, or direction that anyone could give me.
Thank you for your time and I am hoping for a cure.

 

[brian809]

Hi Micheal,
Had the same problem with my '04 tahoe and you need a Vapor canister purge valve as your is stuck closed, It is located around the spare tire under the rear of the truck and is a square plastic box with a few hoses going into it.
The purge valve has an electrical connector and its the only set of wires on the canister, I can't remember but I believe you need to remove the canister to get the valve out but it's pretty easy and the purge valve is pretty cheap..$12-$24

Here's what the canister looks like:
http://info.rockauto.com/getimage/g...5-464_Primary.jpg&imagekey=438062-0&width=450

Here's what my valve looked like:
http://info.rockauto.com/getimage/g...2149_Primary.jpg&imagekey=1298977-0&width=450

There a couple of different valves so you'll need to remove yours and match it up....Hope this helps!!

Brian

 

[tonymac617]

This is great info!! Its Awesome to see perfect strangers come together and share in something we all have a passion for! Hopefully this is the fix and if so, this will help many others who have this similar problem!

:happy160::welcome:

 

[brian809]

When I bought my 04 tahoe I had the exact same problem, took a long time to fill the fuel tank because the pump kept stopping and had the p0446 code. I don't remember where I found the fix but it's a fairly common problem and was pretty easy to fix and it worked! I definitely don't mind sharing fixes for the tahoe and anything that save's someone aggravation and money is a plus! Good luck!

Brian

 

[clkelley]

Welcome to the neighborhood Bryan!

Thanks for the info!

 

[Michael Dowd]

Brian Thank you very much.

One quick question.
Did you replace both?
I had the purge valve out and cleaned it out, it was full of dirt, but for $16 will replace it anyways.
Thank you again. I really appreciate the fact that you signed up to help me out.
Mike

 

[brian809]

I just replaced the electronic valve in the canister and nothing else, I think there's another emission purge valve under the intake manifold cover but I haven't changed that. I just removed the canister at the rear of the truck and removed the "Vent solenoid" and matched it on rockauto parts website and replaced when it came in.

I also tried cleaning the valve but no luck, I guess Chevy had a bulletin on the problems with the canister/purge valve being mounted at the rear of the vehicle and being filled with dust but never a recall.
Once I replaced it the problem was solved and the check engine light reset.

Good luck

Brian

 

[Michael Dowd]

Brian Thank you very much

Thank you for the input.
I received the part from Rock Auto, replaced it, and the truck is back to normal.
Hopefully someday I can return the favor.
Mike

 

[clkelley]

Outstanding!