Weird Issue on Saturday AM... Any Help?

I filled up with gas this AM, had run down to very nearly empty. When I went to restart the car, it was very difficult to start... Almost as if I had flooded it, then it caught, but died... Which is not like flooding... (I'm very familiar with the car and almost positive I didn't flood it and I'm not even sure all the fly-by-wire, fancy schmancy stuff would let me anyways). Get car started and head into work. Idles slightly high, just above 1k but then settles down at lights. Otherwise, fine. Good oil pressure. Good temperature. I've got everything off but the a/c and mine's a coupe with stock exhaust and I cannot hear anything unusual. Revs and pulls normally. Then check engine light goes on. When I shut the car down at the office, I tried starting again. Started fine and idled fine but the check engine light came right on. I haven't looked at the engine yet, but I will. Again, I am not hearing or seeing anything and I have a pretty quiet car with a pretty keen ear. Car has 199k on it. I've had the IMS retrofit done and just about everything else has been kept current (I may be due for plugs and/or injector service but I doubt it). A reputable independent shop went over the car about 7k ago and recommended nothing but an oil change that I am a few hundred over due on. I am in Atlanta. Is there anyone who can read these codes on a Saturday until I can get it looked at? Autozone or Pep Boys? Do their reads really tell you anything? (I love modern engines but hate them). Also, any ideas on causation? Bad Fuel? Fuel Filter? Fuel Pump? I need to road trip down to Macon to meet client this AM and wondering. Any help appreciated. Thanks, JKC

Scan it and see what code is the cause of the CEL. Without knowing that its a big guessing game.

First check the fuel cap.

Thanks, guys and I know it is a big guessing game, I was just hoping someone had something similar. I did check the fuel cap. Ironically, my first fuel cap seal wore out and that caused a CEL, but not the stalling I've described. I had to replace that last year to pass emissions here in Atlanta, so I will double check. My other question, who pulls these codes other than Porsche and my independent guy (not available today and do their readings mean anything or do you have to have proprietary stuff to read them properly). Thanks, JKC

There is also a regeneration valve in the engine compartment that can cause this. https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...ing-issue.html

Thanks. Read the thread and that is useful. JKC

Assuming that is what it is... Safe to drive?

Autozone will pull generic codes for free. Start there. Just a shot in the dark but do you have aftermarket or K&N filter by chance?

as long as the CEL isn't blinking it should be OK. Might be hard to start after refueling.

Get the codes read, then figure out if it was either some form of vapor lock, bad gas or u picked up debris from the bottom of your fuel tank which may require some flushing with fresh fuel, replace the fuel filter.

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Get the codes read. In fact I'd advise you stop at a auto parts store and buy a good OBD2 code reader/data viewer. These are imho as important to have in the car as the wheel lug bolt security socket. Could be anything. Bad gas is a possibility. A fuel pump generally just fails outright but there are exceptions. How fresh is the fuel filter? When was the AOS last replaced? Really though knowing the codes associated with the CEL would be useful. I would recommend you *not* drive the car though, even though the CEL is not flashing. Swing by a Budget car rental and get a car to drive where you have to go today. Rent a new Dodge Charger/Challenger. I did a few weeks ago. Nice car. Surprisingly so.

+1 about the code reader. A generic reader is pretty inexpensive, $20 -$60 and will read most non manufacturer specific codes. http://www.meritline.com/eobd-engine...FYii4AodxXEAPg

You need a purge valve. When these cars won't start after a fill up this is the component that I use to fix the issue over and over again. You may have another small issue thats being catalyzed by the purge valve too, because generally the purge valve won't toss a CEL alone, but a CEL could occur if something else was aggravated by the condition. This could be something like an O2 code or emissions code from the condition. That said, the engine can have an intake expansion issue if the excess fuel builds in the intake and sees a source of ignition. I have seen this happen and a small "boom" occur, then the intake joints will separate. Usually this source of "explosion" condition only presents its self, and the hard to start issue only occurs after a refuel when the purge valve comes into the equation. You can probably drive the car fine till you fuel up again, when this will happen again. Been seeing this purge valve issue for years. Thats your "silver bullet" for the morning as I take a break from my M96 engine mechanical class here in Seattle :-)

Since the car will allow fuel to be put in, I would lean towards the regeneration valve. It fixed my issue instantly. I did not get any CEL's until the second I pulled it into the garage to swap the valve. Just coincidence. I did post up a short video recently showing where the regeneration valve is. It shouldn't be too many pages away in the 996 forum.

Im sure Jakes right as usual but theres really no reason to not have a code reader. There are many low priced ones including the great quality Crafstman one at your local Sears store. $100+. You can use it for any OBDII car.

Code reader always makes sense. I keep one on me all the time :-) The regeneration valve and purge valve are often confused. :-)

I carry code reader with me in my Porsche, and haven't thrown a cell since. Maybe I need to rebuild the components in the code reader just to be sure.

Update... I drove to Macon and back... About 200 miles. The CEL light went off after the fuel level dropped down below about 3/4. And now, still off. I will get the code checked and see what happens. Thanks for the input from everyone and I'll be sure to post the results with some detail so when it happens to the next guy he can get some feedback. JKC

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Glad it worked out for you. I hate to start out any trip with a known problem. Having that CEL on would have spoiled the drive for me. But like I said I'm glad it worked out for you.

You'll probably be ok until you fuel up again, then it'll probably be a repeat of the last instance.