Check Engine Light & Hard to Refuel?

[Jadelizard]

I bought a 03' Rubicon about a month ago from a local dealership. Everything has been great until the other day when the check engine light came on.

I took it to my local mechanic and he said that it was an EVAP leak code and recommended I try to take it back to the dealer who I bought it from to see if they could help me. I contacted the dealer, and they seem to be honorable about it and will look at it this Wednesday.

However, this morning an interesting thing happened. I went to the gas station to fill up, and while I was fueling, the pump kept shutting off (like it was full). I tried 2 different pumps, so I do not think think the pump is the issue. It pumps for about 2-3 seconds before shutting off. During these 2-3 seconds I can hear (what seems like) air coming from the tank, "whoooooosh". However, gas did not spill out of the tank.

I am wondering if this issue has to do with the CEL? Or is this a separate issue?

Thank you so much!

 

[Chris]

This is a common issue with the Wranglers, and any older vehicle that has seen plenty of ethanol fuel in it.

The fix is here: Wrangler TJ Gas Overflow Fix

That could actually have something do with the CEL since it is an evap related CEL.

 

[Alex01]

Really quick just verify that the plastic leash that holds the gas cap to the body didn't get in between the filler neck and the cap when it was tightened. I had that happen and it throw an evap leak code. It look about 2 min to clear after I corrected it.

 

[primetime4]

I used to have this exact same problem and thought it was related to the CEL as well. Instead of a leak, I thought there might have been a block in the line if that’s even possible that caused the pump to think the tank was full due the pressure and only filled about 3/4s full. I had it looked at by a dealer and they could not actually find a leak. Eventually, the issue just went away and I hasn't returned in over ten years.

I was also using a locking gas cap around that time. I don’t think it was related but I took it off to be safe. I would definitely check the filler neck and even jiggling it.

 

[Jadelizard]

Thanks everyone for your help! I took it to the gas station this morning to film a quick video of the issue but, the gas went in with no problem It was even the same pump! Very weird...

I'm taking it in the the dealer this Wednesday to get the CEL looked at. I will follow up once I know the issue.

 

[Artemis]

Do Jeeps have an antispill roll over device in the gas tank? I know I had this problem with my Envoy. Sometimes I could get it to take gas, other times not. So my brother "fixed" the antispill flap in the neck of the fuel tank.