Hard to fill fuel tank

[Noel Santos]

HI everyone, new member from Canada here so I'll apologize in advance because I know there's several conversations about similar issues on this forum but my situation seems a bit different.

 

I've just recently bought (Nov. 2018) a 2004 Boxster S Anniversary Edition with about 40,000 miles on it.  The previous owner had it for 2 years and put on about 8, 500 miles and near the end of  his ownership, he got a P0446  fault code and had a Porsche shop replace the purge valve and canister vent valve (I have his service records).  The owner before him had it stored for about 3 years just before he sold it.

 

So, I've only driven the car for about 150 miles and decided to top off the tank before putting it away for the winter and that's when I found out that it had a problem refilling.  The car runs wells, no issues starting after I finally topped it up as some have indicated on other posts they've had issues with that.  When I spoke to the shop that did the work to check which vent valve was replaced (as I understand, there are two- one at the filler neck and one under the intake distributor) he confirmed it was the one at the filler neck (glad I asked, almost purchased one from Pelican) and said that it was the check valve.

 

Can anyone help and shed some more light for me before I start taking the car apart?  

[Noel Santos]

Wanted to add that the CEL in not on.

Thanks and hope someone can help.

[Loren]

 

Check Fuse E6 - remove it and test it with an ohm meter.

[Noel Santos]

Will do as soon as I get home, thank you.

 

Btw, I did read that suggestion on one of the many threads I've sorted through but didn't think that was the problem because someone also commented within that thread that it was the same fuse as the lighter and I knew mine worked so didn't bother.  Having researched more this morning since your suggestion, it isn't the same fuse so hope you're on to something.  Thank you very much for the quick response and will report back.  If it's not the fuse, I'll likely go ahead and start removing the wheel liner and blowing compressed air through the vent hose- hope that's the right path to go...

 

Thanks again and love this forum- learning so much on stuff I've never even needed to do just yet but already know what to look out for.  I.e. torque setting on aftermarket oil drain plug is not the same as OEM!

[Noel Santos]

Hi Loren, unfortunately the fuse tested positive for continuity. Should I take the path of blowing air into the vent hose?

If not, willing to try other suggestions- thank you. 

[Loren]

Not too much pressure through the vent - you could damage the valve if you do.

[Noel Santos]

Thanks for the advice Loren; I’ve decided to wait until Spring to go further with this little project so I can test each step by fueling up. She’s fast asleep now...will definitely update when the time comes. 

 

Thank you!

[Turboflyer]

On 1/7/2019 at 10:16 AM, Noel Santos said:

HI everyone, new member from Canada here so I'll apologize in advance because I know there's several conversations about similar issues on this forum but my situation seems a bit different.

 

I've just recently bought (Nov. 2018) a 2004 Boxster S Anniversary Edition with about 40,000 miles on it.  The previous owner had it for 2 years and put on about 8, 500 miles and near the end of  his ownership, he got a P0446  fault code and had a Porsche shop replace the purge valve and canister vent valve (I have his service records).  The owner before him had it stored for about 3 years just before he sold it.

 

So, I've only driven the car for about 150 miles and decided to top off the tank before putting it away for the winter and that's when I found out that it had a problem refilling.  The car runs wells, no issues starting after I finally topped it up as some have indicated on other posts they've had issues with that.  When I spoke to the shop that did the work to check which vent valve was replaced (as I understand, there are two- one at the filler neck and one under the intake distributor) he confirmed it was the one at the filler neck (glad I asked, almost purchased one from Pelican) and said that it was the check valve.

 

Can anyone help and shed some more light for me before I start taking the car apart?  

On 1/12/2019 at 10:05 AM, Noel Santos said:

Thanks for the advice Loren; I’ve decided to wait until Spring to go further with this little project so I can test each step by fueling up. She’s fast asleep now...will definitely update when the time comes. 

 

Thank you!

Well it was entirely by accident . I found that if you clock the fill handle to the 9 o'clock position it will fill so much easier. 

 

[Noel Santos]

Turboflyer, thanks- I’ve tried that as well and it does work but prefer to figure out what the problem is

[Noel Santos]

I’m finally about to tackle the problem now. Found out that the previous owner replaced part numbers, 996.605.213.01 (vapour canister vent valve) and 996.605.201.01 (purge valve). Should I replace the fuel tank bleeder valve in filler neck, 996.201.143.01-M100?  

 

Ps. Loren, I decided not to blow out any of the lines as you’ve warned me about damaging some valves. 

[Noel Santos]

Hi all, I'm still working through this problem of filling my fuel tank and was hoping to get more insight. 

So far I've replaced the following parts (first 2 by previous owner) for my '04 Boxster S Anniversary Edition and still have the same issue:

 

Purge Valve, 996.605.201.01

Vapour Canister Vent Valve, 996.605.213.01

Regeneration tank vent line, 996.110.129.06

Vent Valve at filler neck, 996.201.143.01

 

I've checked E6 fuse and has continuity.

Gas cap is in good shape and activates the valve when closed.

I'd rather not blow compressed air to avoid damaging a good valve...

 

Parts counter at dealership recommended replacing part no. 996.605.203.01 that sits on top of the fuel tank.  Thoughts? 

It's very daunting if I've got to remove the tank to get to it but don't see another way to access it- true?

Is there something else I should try before this part?

 

Please help and thank you in advance!