Q: I have a 2010 Hyundai Accent GLS with a 1.6L Engine. The vehicle is difficult to start after refueling. Once the car has been driven for a few minutes, it operates normally, and any subsequent starts are normal. What could be the problem?
– Paul Disney from South Miami, Florida
A: Hello, Paul. The first thing I would check is the canister purge valve. The purge valve is part of your car’s evaporative emission control (EVAP) system—a collection of components that work together to prevent fuel vapors from escaping into the atmosphere.
A device called the charcoal canister, which stores fuel vapors when the engine is off, is the heart of the EVAP system. Once the engine is running (and conditions are correct), our friend the purge valve opens, allowing fuel vapors to be pulled into the engine’s intake manifold, where they’re burned as part of the normal combustion process.
If the purge valve is stuck open, vapors from the charcoal canister can sneak into the intake manifold during refueling, making the vehicle difficult to restart.
On your vehicle, the purge valve is located near the throttle body. You could try testing the valve, but it might be more efficient to just replace it and see if that helps. The valve is relatively inexpensive and easy to replace.
Good luck!
Products Mentioned in this Guide
Purge Valve
Intake Manifold
Keep Reading: Related Posts
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
