engine ligt and fuel tank

judyskia · 03-28-2008, 08:41 AM

Hi I have a 2002 Optima and for the last month to month and a half when I try to put gas in my car, the pump kicks off as if it is full (i can hear the back splash), what I find strange is that my check engine light came on at the same time this started happening. I have even had my fuel light come on before putting in the gasoline and it still happens, it does not even matter how slow I pump the gas. I use the same gas station as I have since I bought my KIA in 2006 and it only started doing this, any suggestions?

Tuminatuh · 03-28-2008, 10:49 AM

It sounds like extra pressure is built up in the gas tank, causing it to fool the nozzle into thinking the car is full. Now, of course, pressure in the tank is vital to helping out the fuel pump... but sometimes, extra pressure can build up and it takes a while to drop back down. When extra pressure builds up it can cause an engine error (can't remember the number, or exact wording) something like "Fuel press. excess danger"... or something like that. You can either wait roughly 10 minutes after your car is turned off, then pump the fuel (a pain in the ass, plus lots of other angry customers), or you can try this...

Find a pipe roughly the same size as the one on a gas nozzle and drill a hole in one end so a screw can be put into into it (you don't want the pipe to fall into the gas tank). Drive the car around the block a few times then park it. Stick the pipe into the fill hole and leave it there for a few minutes. This should help release any pressure that can't be released even when you fill up since the nozzle isn't really hollow (since it doesn't have an opening on the other side, and gas is in there).

IMMEDIATELY after pulling the pipe out and replacing the gas-cap, take it around the block again. Park it and do the same thing again. Now try filling it up.

My friend's Firebird had the EXACT SAME PROBLEM as you (the check engine light was on and the fuel wouldn't pump) and we tried this (just out of curiosity, we thought we had a good idea) and it worked just fine after that! The check engine light even went off! The problem hasn't come back since we did that... it seems that extra pressure had built up over time and, since it was a HOT summer, it couldn't all get released over time.

So, try this for yourself, and let me know if it worked! It may sound kind of silly, and maybe it was just a coincidence that it worked, but it won't hurt to try it... I guess...

- Tum

P.S., in case you are wondering what I mean by "drill a hole in one end so a screw can be put into into it".... here is what I mean.