Hello! I have been having a problem of late where my 2007 Chrysler Pacifica has been stalling 3-5 times after a fill up, no matter if the engine is cold or hot. The car has been in cold weather for awhile but seems to start fine and idle fine after starting. I have filled up the car 3 times in the past 2 weeks. Each time I fill it up, I hear gurgling in the gas tank. I then leave the gas station and after about 30 seconds, the car cuts off. I start it up and it idles at arond 1000 RPM and then cuts off without warning after a few seconds. If I apply my foot on the accelerator and do not let up (up around 2000 RPM), the car stays on but hesitates here and there to where it almost cuts off. If I'm on the road, this will happen whenever it is in an idling speed or stopped at a signal light or stop sign. The car will cut off about 3-5 times, and then, after running about 10 minutes, works just fine. There are no engine engine lights or fault codes...yet. I have tried dry gas thinking it could be something in the fuel, but that does not seem to help the situation. From looking at similar posts, it could be one of maybe 3 things in order of highest to lowest percentage of the problem: 1) bad EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valve; 2) bad rollover valve; or 3) bad fuel vapor canister. I am thinking of replacing the fuel tank to eliminate the rollover valve, but should I replace the EGR valve, too? Any other thoughts out there from the world of Chrysler Pacifica users and drivers?

 

A strange new twist to the Pac fuel tank related issue, never have heard anyone with that symptom. From my side, not sure of the root cause of your particular situation but look forward to hearing of your solution.

 

Thanks for the note. Not sure what could be causing it but it is consistent...just filled it up this am and it cut off 3 times before I went a mile, and that was after running the car around for at least 10-15 minutes with no issue on just under 1/2 tank of gas. Weird. At car shop now where they are focusing on EGR valve and fuel evap canister. Could be fuel tank if rollover valve is acting up but it just seems from the way it acts, the engine is getting either a) no fuel, b) too rich a mixture, or c) air somewhere in the flow. Didn't top it off this am and waited for all the "gurgling" to stop before putting on cap. Started the car right after fill up (1) and it ran like a champ until I had to stop 30 seconds later waiting to turn right at an intersection, where, from idling, it just stopped running. No warning. Started it back up (2) by applying a little acceleration, put it in drive and went forward. Over the next 1/4 mile, it hitched and almost cut off, but I stepped down on the accelerator and it kept going after almost stalling. After I released my foot from the accelerator approaching a yield sign, the car cut off again, and I managed to use the momentum and pull into a parking lot. Started it again (3), and went another 1/4 mile, where I had to turn, and the above scenario repeated again. Got it to the auto shop, sat there a bit and let it idle for about a minute...no issues. Let's see what the auto center has to say. Attachment enclosed of sound car makes after fill up.

 

Trying to attach zip file of video of the sound.

 

Never heard of this before, could it be that when you fill the tank the tank is suppose to route the overflow of fuel into a plastic tank that separates fuel from vapor. If it is not working it could be creating a vacuum or pressure. I would try not filling the tank full, just almost full. leave the cap off for a few minutes and if it works fine I'm thinking something in the evap system in the back by the tank isn't functioning. I found this--DISCUSSION:

Customer may report that the vehicle is hard to fill with fuel or that the fuel pump nozzle shuts off repeatedly while trying to fill vehicle.

This customer complaint can occur due to a number of different causes. The fuel tank is the least likely cause of this condition. The following Diagnostic procedure can be used to diagnose the issues.

DIAGNOSIS:

1. Is the vehicle a LX/LE/LC/L2?
a. Yes >> proceed to Step # 2
b. No >> proceed to Step # 4
2. Idle the vehicle 60 to 90 seconds upon stopping.
3. Does tank refill properly?
a. No >> proceed to Step # 4
b. Yes >> Inform the customer to idle the vehicle for 60 to 90 seconds upon stopping if vehicle was driven aggressively. This is due to the fact that on the LX/LE/LC/L2 the fuel tank is a unique saddle tank design and needs 30 to 60 seconds while the engine is running to level the fuel in both half's of the fuel tank. Allowing the vehicle to idle for this amount of time will let the fuel pump transfer fuel to the left side tank, opening the control valve and allowing normal fuel filling.
4. Disconnect the vapor recirculation tube at the fuel tank.
5. Attempt to refill fuel tank.
6. Does tank refill properly?
a. Yes >> Proceed to Step # 7
b. No >> Proceed to Step # 11.
7. Reconnect the vapor recirculation tube at the fuel tank.
8. Disconnect the other end of the vapor recirculation tube at the fuel filler tube.
9. Attempt to refill fuel tank.
10. Does tank refill properly?
a. Yes >> Replace fuel filler tube.
b. No >> Replace the vapor recirculation tube.
11. Disconnect the control valve to EVAP canister tube at the fuel tank.
12. Reconnect the vapor recirculation tube at the fuel tank.
13. Does tank refill properly?
a. No >> Replace Fuel Tank.
b. Yes >> Proceed to
14. Reconnect the control valve to EVAP canister tube at the fuel tank.
15. Disconnect the control valve to EVAP canister tube at the EVAP canister.
16. Attempt to refill fuel tank.
17. Does tank refill properly?
a. Yes >> Blockage is in the EVAP Canister, or ESIM, or Clean air hose (ESIM vent hose), or filter. Diagnose appropriately.
b. No >> Replace the control valve to EVAP canister tube.

 

The last fill up, I tried putting less gas in the tank - I filled it up but stopped the gas before it came up the fuel tank neck forcing the gas pump to automatically stop. I would guess that I left about 1 gallon short of a fill up. The car did cut off during normal operation twice, and then was fine. That was about 1-3 times less cutting off. I will try to fill it up but leave 2 gallons of space next time to see what happens. It could be the evap system failing but not quite sure. Something to investigate later on. No answer yet other than leaving about 1-2 gallons short of a full tank. If anything changes, I'll post again.