Car Won't Start? Common Fuel Issues And Solutions

A car not starting after getting fuel can be attributed to several factors. The most common reason is a faulty EVAP purge valve, which can be caused by a stuck open valve or a faulty battery, fuel pump, fuel filter, bad gasoline, or a failing alternator.

Faulty EVAP purge valve

A faulty EVAP purge valve is a common reason why a car won't start after getting gas. The evaporative (EVAP) purge control valve typically sits between the fuel tank and the intake manifold. The powertrain control module (PCM) controls the opening and closing of the valve, depending on the temperature and RPM.

The EVAP system prevents harmful fuel vapors from entering the atmosphere by trapping then purging the vapors. One of the primary components within the EVAP system is the canister purge valve (often referred to as the canister purge valve solenoid on modern vehicles).

If the module detects a problem with the purge valve, it turns on the check engine light and stores a corresponding diagnostic trouble code (DTC) in its memory. The PCM monitors purge flow, as well as the integrity of the purge valve solenoid and the solenoid’s circuit.

If the purge valve fails, your car will likely exhibit one or more noticeable symptoms, including rough idling, stalling, and poor fuel efficiency.

Other possible culprits include a faulty battery, a malfunctioning fuel pump, bad gasoline, a clogged fuel filter, and a failing alternator.

Clogged fuel filter

A clogged fuel filter is a common reason why a car won't start after getting gas. It will cause a loss of power but not a no-start condition unless it suddenly gets hit with so much rust or dirt that it is totally plugged. Usually, you'll notice other symptoms long before the fuel filter clogs enough to prevent the engine from starting.

A car that won't start after getting gas can be attributed to several factors, and paying a trip to a professional mechanic is the only way to get an accurate diagnosis. A faulty EVAP purge valve is a probable reason why your car won't start after getting gas. Other possible culprits include a faulty battery, a malfunctioning fuel pump, bad gasoline, and a failing alternator.

The evaporative (EVAP) purge control valve typically sits between the fuel tank and the intake manifold. The powertrain control module (PCM) controls the opening and closing of the valve, depending on the temperature and RPM.

If your car doesn’t start up after getting gas, there may be an issue with your battery, the fuel system, or the ignition system. If your "Check Engine" light comes on, use an OBD-II scanner to read the code and diagnose the issue.

Bad battery

A faulty battery is one of the most common reasons why a car won't start after getting fuel. A bad battery can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Loose battery connectors
• Corrosion on the battery terminals
• A failing alternator
• A malfunctioning fuel pump
• A clogged fuel filter
• Bad gasoline
• A stuck EVAP purge valve

If your car won't start after getting fuel, it's important to identify the root cause of the issue. Paying a trip to a professional mechanic is the only way to get an accurate diagnosis.

Malfunctioning fuel pump

A faulty EVAP purge valve is a probable reason why your car won't start after getting gas. Other possible culprits include a faulty battery, bad gasoline, a clogged fuel filter, and a malfunctioning fuel pump.

A clogged fuel filter will cause a loss of power but not a no-start condition unless it suddenly gets hit with so much rust or dirt that it is totally plugged. Usually, you'll notice other symptoms long before the fuel filter clogs enough to prevent the engine from starting.

A car that won't start after getting gas can be attributed to several factors, and paying a trip to a professional mechanic is the only way to get an accurate diagnosis. A no-start condition can be due to a simple problem like loose battery connectors, but also keep in mind that there might be a bigger issue to deal with.

The most common reason your car won't start after filling gas at the gas station is that the EVAP purge control valve is stuck open. When you fill the tank with fuel, the air in the tank becomes pressurized and needs somewhere to go, and it can be tight with the fuel nozzle.

The powertrain control module (PCM) controls the opening and closing of the valve, depending on the temperature and RPM. As the valve opens, gasoline vapors flow from the charcoal canister to the intake manifold, reducing harmful hydrocarbon emissions from the evaporating fuel (think gasoline smell). In other words, the vapors from the evaporating gasoline are carried into the intake manifold during canister purge to be eliminated as the engine runs.

Rust or dirt in fuel filter

Rust or dirt in the fuel filter can cause a loss of power but not a no-start condition unless it suddenly gets hit with so much rust or dirt that it is totally plugged. Usually, you’ll notice other symptoms long before the fuel filter clogs enough to prevent the engine from starting. A car that won’t start after getting gas can be attributed to several factors, and paying a trip to a professional mechanic is the only way to get an accurate diagnosis.

Rust is a soluble oxide that eventually liquefies in suspension. You could not ever get a filter that blocked rust that still passed any other liquid in which it is suspended. Even the particles that get stuck in the filter pores are still being dissolved so even those particles will eventually shrink until they fit through the pores that stopped them before. If there is rust, it will eventually get all the way through, no matter the filter unless flow is completely stopped.

The most common reason why a car won’t start after getting gas is that your EVAP purge control valve is stuck open. This will cause the fuel vapor to get pushed into the intake manifold. Other common causes are a bad battery, a clogged fuel filter, or a bad fuel pump.

Frequently asked questions