Expert: Sean Halliday - 9/27/2006

Question

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Followup To

Question -
I have a 2003 Toyota Tacoma with 45,000 miles.  The last time I tried to fill it up, the back flow of gas would come up and shut the hose off, like when your tank gets full. This was after I had driven it about a hundred miles down the interstate. This continued to happen everytime I tried to fill up. The only time it won't happen is when I drive the truck a short distance and fill-up. We have a gas station about a 1/2 mile from my house and when the truck has been sitting for several hours, I can drive it there and no problem. Since this started happening, my check engine light has come on so I took someone's advice and changed the gas cap because my owners manual info leads me to believe that the check engine light came on because of an emissions problem or something related. I haven't been to have the code checked for the light being on yet but I am. Any ideas on why I can't fill-up normal after driving for a least 25 minutes?  Thanks for your help.

Tim Putnam

Answer -
You have a problem with the emissions,too much pressure in the tank.Usually the pressure is around 10.12.PSI,something is preventing the breather from working properly and has also turned on your check engine light.I would have it looked at immediately.


What is the breather and where is it located?

Answer
This is a job for a trained mechanic but if you want to look at it the breather, it  is inside the tank and basically this car has several tubes and these run all the way to the EVAP canister.I have seen these cars put up 4 or 5 computer codes because the gas cap was loose so its a pretty sensitive system.I would recommend a shop as its a dangerous and may be costly job if you dont do it right.You need the code also to tell you what is wrong otherwise you may be on the wrong track.It could be a bad fuel pump.