Hi everyone,

for a couple of weeks, I encountered some starting issue after refueling my A4 2.8l quattro 1999. This happen only after refueling, not during normal starting, and with the tank empty or not, and with different grade of fuel ?????

Any idea where the problem could come from ?

Thanks

 

What kinds of issues? What is happenning to your car when you start it after a fill-up? If you can be a little bit more specific, then we can help you out.

 

Replace your gas cap. There is a pressure valve that is notorious for going bad and causing your exact symptoms. Get it from the dealer, not some generic crap from autozone.

 

When you tighten your gas cap after fueling, make sure you tighten it all the way. When mine is tight enough (OEM gas cap), I hear a clicking sound. Turn it past the click. This way you know that it is on correctly. I was out getting one of my gf's cars smogged a few months ago, and the smog stations in CA do a vacuum test on the gas cap. I had to get a new one cause the one that was on her car was bad.

 

Thanks for the information.

to be more specific, the symptoms are like if the fuel didn't get to the engine, the starter works fine. One of my idea was the fuel pump, but I don't see why it would start correctly at every start, but not after refueling.
I haven't thought about the gas cap, even if I always tight up to the clicking sound.

 

its a known problem ( purge valve )

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0da78a


other link to recalls on the fuel system


http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...blems&meta=

 

Just a tip... before you fill up, try not to drive the car all the way to empty. If you do drive your car down to the point where it's almost running on fumes, it's bad for your cat. I try & fill up when I'm showing about 1/4 tank left... before the yellow gas pump light comes on. That'll be better for your cat in the long run.

 

I had this exact problem. Check the Evaporative system, the EVAP purge valve and the lines that come out of the purge valve. I checked everything, and found that there is a small grey and white one way valve right behind the air filter housing that had rubbed against a metal clip and had a hole in it. Replaced it, and the problem has been solved for the last 2 years. Your engine configuration may be different as I have the 1.8T, but it is definatedly in the EVAP purge system.

The EVAP purge valve can also get stuck due to carbon particles from the charcoal filter. Sometimes a few raps with a screw driver handle will shake them loose.

 

Thanks for all the reply.

I change the tank cap this week end without any good result.
I'll look at the purge valve and the lines before to get an appointment at my audi dealer.

Pascal,
French member