problem starting only after every gas refill

[josef]

I own a camry 2001 2.2 liter engine which I'm gonna marry someday.
The only recent problem I've been experiencing ( started a month ago) is the hard start only after every gas refill. No matter how much gas I put in, I still get the same result . It's like not enough fuel/air is going into the engine etc. It will crank, starts for a millisecond then rpm dies until engine is off. But after the engine turns on, it runs normal...like brand new. And never had any problems until I put gas.

NOTE:
1. I live in Calgary, Canada and Ive been here for 3 years and I only purchased my camry 3 months ago. I thought it might be just the temperature (winter ) that causes the problem which maybe from my gas tank, air pressure mixture, or the gas that I am using etc. when its cold. But no one seems to be experiencing the same problem that I have.

2. Engine light is not on. There are no other indications/symptoms of engine error aside from the said problem.

3. It's runs excellent, no problems at all. Runs like Bnew in between gas refills.

4. recent oil change (mobil 5w-30), mobil atf, tranny and oil filter change.

what could have possibly gone wrong?

Please help.

[Stillrunning]

Is it ONLY when stopping for gas? Have you tried pulling into a gas station turning off the engine but not getting any gas and sitting for about the same time then try to re-start?

[josef]

Originally Posted by Stillrunning

Is it ONLY when stopping for gas? Have you tried pulling into a gas station turning off the engine but not getting any gas and sitting for about the same time then try to re-start?

yes...i did that at home after the first time it happened. it started just fine.
runs perfectly. starts fine even at -20C weather. occasionally, i tried turning the engine off and starting it again, got no problems at all. nothing seems to be wrong until i get a gas refill.

[josef]

in addition to that, i might have overfilled my tank ,like the guage was over the max line, before this problem had started. based on my research, it might have damaged one of the evap system parts.( purge valve, canister etc. ) from overfilling gas.

i am guessing maybe one of these parts are just clogged/dirty since there is no CEL.

i need this headache gone. please help!

[Stillrunning]

Instead of filling the tank try only a few gallons and see if you get the same result.

http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h62.pdf

[mail2_jb]

what if you just open the gas cap and put it back and try starting? May be some kind of vacuum leak causing the fuel is not getting through the filter?

[josef]

Originally Posted by Stillrunning

Instead of filling the tank try only a few gallons and see if you get the same result.

http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h62.pdf

thanks for sharing this link my friend.

as far as the gas quantity is concerned, I also did that already but still the same thing happened.

this is very weird.

[josef]

Originally Posted by mail2_jb

what if you just open the gas cap and put it back and try starting? May be some kind of vacuum leak causing the fuel is not getting through the filter?

thanks for idea...gonna try that tomorrow and give you guys an update.

[josef]

ok... i drove the car for awhile to heat up. then pulled over to a complete stop . turned engine off. removed the gas cap and let alone for a few minutes simulating a gas refill. put the gas cap back. turned the ignition on...then the engine started fine like a normal car would do. runs fine, no problems at all.

canister is saturated? dirty purge valve? or both?...
vacuum leak?

my head is bleeding already

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by josef

canister is saturated? dirty purge valve? or both?...

Raw fuel could be going into the evap system on fill-up. There is extra fumes created on fill-up due to the agitation of fuel as well as splashing in the filler neck which may be getting into the evap system.

You'll have to do some tests based on the link pdf I posted.