Not filling with fuel..again. '99 2.2L

[Birdinbynoon]

I know this has been answered in many-a-forums in the past and I understand the physics behind the problem. I'd kinda rather start with my specifics about my problem. Okay. 99 Legacy, 2.2L, 210K: Originally began as an intermittent problem of fill a few cents, pump shuts off, fills a few cents, takes 20 minutes to put 8 gal. in tank. So, vent problem it is. Checked: fuel filler tube (fine). removed and checked canister and all related valves. Found one valve stuck shut.(the one that sits along the frame about a foot forward of the filler tube) Left off car. Went for fuel...no problems. Filled right up. Next trip to station: valve still off the car, so theoretically, no problems again. Problems...again. Still not filling. Removed all canister and canister-related components leaving all hoses "open" to tank. Still not taking fuel. I'm aware of the valve that lives in the very inconvenient location in the middle of the top of the tank. Is there anything else that I'm unaware of? I just find it hard to believe that my luck is that bad and it IS the valve that's going to force me to open my floor with a can-opener.

Oh, by the way: I have California emissions too, for some ungodly reason.

Thanks, in advance!

P.S. I quit smoking this week so give me news that won't make me injure myself;)

[Garrison]

I usually pull the nozzle of the fuel pump far enough out of the filler-hole, so that the vapors from the fuel tank can escape around the nozzle. Hasn't failed me yet.

[d1giPhux]

Usually its the vent control solenoid which is located above the bread box canister on the passengers side rear.

If you have replaced this one, it COULD be the one on the tank, but usually its the other one. I've had mine go bad on both of my LGT's, and also had a new one go bad before.

[Birdinbynoon]

Usually its the vent control solenoid which is located above the bread box canister on the passengers side rear.

If you have replaced this one, it COULD be the one on the tank, but usually its the other one. I've had mine go bad on both of my LGT's, and also had a new one go bad before.

Well, I didn't replace anything yet. There's nothing connected which, in my line of reasoning, would mean that all the lines to the tank would be perceived as being "open". So, if the pieces aren't on the vehicle, the problem is elsewhere, right? Or am I missing a line of logic? Seriously, I wasn't trying to be a smartass.

[Birdinbynoon]

Is there anything in the engine bay that could affect venting the tank?

[02_Legacy]

First of all try what the first response says, make sure the filler is not all the way in, back it out an inch or two.
Second when you say that nothing is connected, did you pull the connectors off or take all the hoses off the valve.
Third, no one is mocking you or calling you a smart ass, we are just giving suggestions.
And last, the only EVAP related thing in the engine bay is the Purge control solenoid. All it does is apply a vacuum to the system to suck and fuel from the charcoal canister and fuel tank into the engine to be burned. It is not going to be your problem as it is normally closed.

[harrymaneuvers]

Wahoo... another 99 2.2L!!! Sedan or wagon? Is it solid gold color?

Mine started acting up a half year ago. I found that 50% of the time the problem is with the pump that I am using. The other times it just seems to act up.

[d1giPhux]

Definitely pull that 'vent control solenoid' above the bread box in the rear. With both of my cars its been the problem, and I've also had quite a few friends who had to do the same thing. I'll see if I can find some more info for you.

I don't know too much about the fuel line setup and how it works, I just know that with subarus, especially the 2nd gen, when the tank wont fill its because the 'vent control solenoid' is broken or completely clogged. You can sometimes unclog it, but usually you need to replace it.

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.p ... p;t=143475 (http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/freakin-vent-control-solenoid-valve-143475.html?s=6012c8f291f702372e9a21fba5a1a746&t=143475)

Here is the part you need:

http://www.subarupartsforyou.com/cp_par ... rtid=12545 (http://www.subarupartsforyou.com/cp_partdetail.php?partid=12545)

Also might wanna read this thread:

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin ... pump-4002/ (http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/car-not-filling-gas-pump-4002/)

[Birdinbynoon]

Wahoo... another 99 2.2L!!! Sedan or wagon? Is it solid gold color?

Mine started acting up a half year ago. I found that 50% of the time the problem is with the pump that I am using. The other times it just seems to act up.

Sedan, brotha!!! It's white.

[Birdinbynoon]

First of all try what the first response says, make sure the filler is not all the way in, back it out an inch or two.
Second when you say that nothing is connected, did you pull the connectors off or take all the hoses off the valve.
Third, no one is mocking you or calling you a smart ass, we are just giving suggestions.
And last, the only EVAP related thing in the engine bay is the Purge control solenoid. All it does is apply a vacuum to the system to suck and fuel from the charcoal canister and fuel tank into the engine to be burned. It is not going to be your problem as it is normally closed.

Everything is disconnected. Electrical connectors, hoses, and components. I've tried the "back it out and inch at the pump" and it used to work, but it's been quite a while. It IS partially dependent on which pump I use at which gas station. Still, it's hit or miss.

I know no one was accusing me of being a smartass. I thought my response kinda sounded that way;)

[Birdinbynoon]

Definitely pull that 'vent control solenoid' above the bread box in the rear. With both of my cars its been the problem, and I've also had quite a few friends who had to do the same thing. I'll see if I can find some more info for you.

I don't know too much about the fuel line setup and how it works, I just know that with subarus, especially the 2nd gen, when the tank wont fill its because the 'vent control solenoid' is broken or completely clogged. You can sometimes unclog it, but usually you need to replace it.

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.p ... p;t=143475 (http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/freakin-vent-control-solenoid-valve-143475.html?s=6012c8f291f702372e9a21fba5a1a746&t=143475)

Here is the part you need:

http://www.subarupartsforyou.com/cp_par ... rtid=12545 (http://www.subarupartsforyou.com/cp_partdetail.php?partid=12545)

Also might wanna read this thread:

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin ... pump-4002/ (http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/car-not-filling-gas-pump-4002/)


Thanks, man. I'm off tomorrow so I'm dig into it then. Maybe I'll be able to give y'all a little more info or some updates.

One thing: if the solenoid is bad, but it's not on the car, shouldn't the system work properly?

[Birdinbynoon]

Update: Didn't get a chance to work on the Legacy today. Force fed a tank of gas yet again. However, now I have something going on with engine hesitation...when it rains, it pours, eh?

[d1giPhux]

You could say that again. Always with a subaru! :smt030

Did your engine trouble fire off any CEL codes? Hope you can get it figured out..

[Birdinbynoon]

You could say that again. Always with a subaru! :smt030

Did your engine trouble fire off any CEL codes? Hope you can get it figured out..

Well, I will say that my Subie has been extra-friggin reliable over the tens years that I've had it (way more than my DSM). Never broken down, just little crap here and there. I mean, 210k on an auto tranny??!! Dayyyyum!

Anyway, I got the problem solved. I guess I bumped a plug wire the other day when I was messing around under the hood. They were old and the end separated from the wire. New plugs, wires and fuel filter and it's all good again. Noticed that it's time for new plug-tube gaskets again, though:( Also, cylinder 4 is running lean for some reason. Oh well..