# 1999 Volkswagen Passat **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** starting, passat, engines\ **Created:** [February 11, 2008, 7:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-volkswagen-passat/10527 "2008-02-11T19:09:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sdehekker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/74df32/32.png) [@sdehekker](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sdehekker)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2008, 7:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-volkswagen-passat/10527/1 "2008-02-11T19:09:36Z")
I have a 99 VW Passat V6 with 61,000 miles that runs well with the following exception - everytime i refuel, when i try to start the car, the engine turns over for an extended period before finally starting. It then runs sluggishly for 30 seconds or so, sometimes dying in the process, and then runs fine. It starts without hesitation at all other times. This only occurs right after refueling regardles of the amount of gas in the tank or engine temperature. I always use premium fuel per specifications. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-volkswagen-passat/10527/2 "2008-02-11T20:16:15Z")
``` Next time try turning it on and waiting 5-10 seconds, then switch off and on again and this time try starting it. ``` ---
**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2008, 9:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-volkswagen-passat/10527/3 "2008-02-11T21:31:15Z")
It sounds like you are flooding the evaporative emissions system, either due to over-filling or a faulty system. Do you top off the tank to get that last possible ounce of gas into the tank? ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Russell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Bill\_Russell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bill_Russell)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2008, 10:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-volkswagen-passat/10527/4 "2008-02-11T22:06:04Z")
good point! do not top off your tank. ---
**Author:** ![mrbean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@mrbean](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mrbean)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 12:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-volkswagen-passat/10527/5 "2008-02-12T00:55:43Z")
This is a very common problem with these cars. You need to replace the EVAP purge valve. It’s an easy and cheap repair. ---
**Author:** ![sdehekker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/74df32/32.png) [@sdehekker](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sdehekker)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 3:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-volkswagen-passat/10527/6 "2008-02-12T03:10:17Z")
I have topped off the tank in the past and suspected that may be the problem, so I did not top off the last two times that I filled up, but the problem still occurred. ---
**Author:** ![sdehekker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/74df32/32.png) [@sdehekker](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sdehekker)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 3:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-volkswagen-passat/10527/7 "2008-02-12T03:11:44Z")
Is this something that I can do myself? If so, where is the EVAP purge valve? ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Russell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Bill\_Russell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bill_Russell)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 12:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-volkswagen-passat/10527/8 "2008-02-12T12:39:59Z")
might be too late now…you already fouled up the EES. ---
**Author:** ![sdehekker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/74df32/32.png) [@sdehekker](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sdehekker)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 1:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-volkswagen-passat/10527/9 "2008-02-13T01:44:53Z")
Can it be repaired by replacing the EVAP purge valve as mrbean suggests below?