Hello, I have a 2011 Kia Sorento that started hesitating seemly randomly a few months ago. It is now very apparent that the hesitation (and now car shutting itself off when coming to a stop) happens after getting gas and is not random. I can put it in park and then try and restart and it will restart. It will struggle with hesitation for a short time and then will be fine until I get gas again. I have taken it to multiple mechanics and there are no codes and fuel pressure is good. Although, I will say that we were not positive about it happening after getting gas until recently. It doesn't happen every time and previously it was only hesitating the next time I would use the car, not necessarily right after getting gas.
I am going to take it back to Kia soon. They replaced the charcoal canister and canister close valve several months ago because I was not able to pump gas. They say they checked these parts but we're not able to replicate the problem. I am now certain these issues start after getting gas so I am hoping they will just replace the valve as that is what I assume is the issue. I have read that if it is stuck open, it will cause these issues. What do think? Could it be something else? Thank you!
Well, if it happens all the time then it's not bad gas you're buying because I'm assuming you buy it in different stations. Generally that would mean you either have a problem with the evap system where the vapors are getting trapped in the engine and then that floods the engine out. Or sometimes you have leaking fuel injectors and then when you restart the car it floods the engine out. But of course that would happen whether you put gas in it or not
It's really acting wacky this morning. I am not going to drive it anymore and I'm going to tow it to Kia. I really hope this hasn't caused further damage and that they will see a code. It shut itself off not long before I turned it on. The sounds from the engine seem to be fluctuating. Engine, battery and then oil light came on. But those lights have come on before all at once and no codes. But the issue is definitely getting worse. It was very slight hesitation at first a few months ago and I almost thought I was imagining it. If it was the fuel pump, it wouldn't act up only after getting gas right? Wouldn't that be more of an issue with a low fuel level? I'm really thinking they didn't test the purge valve directly and they just assumed it was fine because there was no codes.
For what it is worth.
I had a 2011 SantaFe . Under the hood they are identical. There was a hose nipple that would break off the upper filter housing when changing the engine air filter. Two upper housings were replaced under warranty. When a third broke off I repaired it with JB weld. It created a massive vacuum leak and the car had similar symptoms to yours.
The other problem was occasionally my wife would top off the tank to the point of over flowing after the gas pump automatically stopped. That would flood the evap system and light up the check engine light but it would eventually go out. Despite the light and the car ran fine.
If this started after a repair chances are your mechanic broke something. I remember in the later years all the plastic on the engine was cracking.
Anyone want to chime in feel free.
Thank you for your response. I don't think it would be the hose nipple because the engine air filter was just recently replaced. They recommended replacing that and the cabin filter as well as drive belt, throttle body cleaning and complete fuel service. It was running a little smoother after they did all of that but this hesitation/stalling issue started before. I never put more gas after the pump stops so that's not it. I'm really wondering if the valve can be defective and not throw codes. They said they checked the canister and that the valve would be causing codes for sure. Hopefully codes show next time because there is just no way this is bad gas.
Going back to Scotty's question, the leaking fuel injectors would cause this all the time? Not intermittently? Would I still be able to drive the car or it would be totally broken down?
Help please! The dealership is now saying that the canister assy and all associated parts are full of gas. They say it is my fault for overfilling the tank but do not do this! They said they pulled the line for the canister and it was pouring out gas as well as the purge valve and close valve. They want almost $3000! We have spoken to another mechanic and they said Kia likely did something wrong with the last install or something is wrong with the valve they replaced. What do you think?