Car won't start after getting gas

Maintenance/Repairs
1

I have a 99 Accord coupe with 65,000 miles on it. Lately, my car won’t start after I put gas in it. I put gas in, close up the hatch, and it won’t start for a good 15 minutes. My dad says it might be my fuel filter. Thoughts?

2

I don’t think it’s the filter. If the filter were the problem the car would be hard to start all the time. I think the problem is in the fuel vapor recovery system. When you get gas, do you top off the tank or do you stop filling when the nozzle shuts off?

3

Could (would) you give more speicifics? Does ANYTHING happen when you turn the ignition key? What?

4

I stop filling when the nozel shuts off usually, and today I only filled it halfway. Should I start topping it off? Is it something that will get worse over time?

Thanks for your help!

5

Yes, the engine turns over, it just doesn’t get quite enough juice. Sometimes it will start, but then it peters out. If I can get it started and drive it around for a while it seems to be fine.

6

Should I start topping it off?

No, topping it off can CAUSE the problem, not cure it. I doubt if this one has that specific problem however.

7

Are you sure it is related to getting gas? Have you ever just stopped the engine for two or three minutes and then try restarting it?

8

No, that’s a good point. Although I think that in my day to day life I probably do that occasionally without getting gas. I’ll try it out though. My last Honda Accord had a similar problem with periodically not starting and I eventually replaced the starter and the catalytic converter. Then traded it for one that does the same thing…

Thanks!