Bought this car in February, '04 and every time I fill it up it stalls almost immediately after starting. It'* hard to get away from the pump because the only way to keep it from stalling is giving it a lot of pedal.
Once it gets past the first two or three stalls it will idle without pedal (in park) but surges from almost stalled to about 1000 rpms in a methodical pattern. It smooths out after driving for a few minutes (stop and go stuff and several stalls take place).

The first time I thought it was the 89 octane I put in but then it did it with 93. So I just stopped filling it up - LOL. Then about two weeks ago the service engine soon light came on and a friend borrowed a tool that he hooked up to the computer - he said it was something in the EVAP system, possibly the gas cap. He said EVAP stuff is a pain in the I told him about the stalling after fill-up and he said 'Don't fill it'

Also I misjudged last week and filled it again...same problem but this time I was getting on the highway. It ran 'ok' for about 3 or 4 miles then acted like it was going to stall for the next couple miles, then smoothed right out like before.
Has anyone experienced this problem before?

I'm going on a long trip in three weeks and it would be nice to be able to fill her up.

Simillar problem as http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...ic.php?t=18596

You should also run premium gas with the sc engine, the knock retard is going to rob all your power caused by the added boost and low octane.

The fuel system is pressurized. If you have a faulty cap this could explain the surging and the eventual SES.

Thanks gentlemen. Maybe I'll try getting a new cap and see what happens.
I've really been paranoid about this car, being it'* a rebuilt wreck.

Oh, and to PontiacDad, I only put that low grade gas in the one time. It'* been at least 93 octane ever since.

BuzzRocker, Did your friend get the actual code that was set? Something isn't right here. Ok, there may be an actual DTC set related to the EVAP system, but the symptoms you describe with the stalling after fill up do not make sense. I'm just wondering if you should be looking at other areas also. The fuel tank itself should not be pressurized, only the part of the fuel system between fuel pump discharge & the fuel delivery up to the injectors is pressurized. Your engine should run (not stall) without the gas cap even being in place, not that you would want to do that, an EVAP DTC would eventually set (large leak). I was just using that as an example.

Mark, i don't know if he got a code or not. He didn't tell me there was a code and I failed to ask for one. I tried to peek at the computer but I was at a bad angle and all I saw was 'EVAP'. I'll be talking to him over the weekend and will ask him about the code.

So, I'll be holding off getting a new cap also. What else do you think I should be looking at? Any ideas?

I'm new to all this computer stuff and I'm not much of a mechanic but my first instinct was something loose inside the tank like a float or something. I imagine such things are ancient history by SSEi standards though......ouch...I just dated myself...lol.

Time for an update. I recently took a trip to MN. During the trip I misjudged my gas gauge and accidently filled it to capacity. I noticed a puddle under the car after standing in line to pay and it turned out to be gas. When I bent down to check it I could see a steady drip but couldn't see far enough up to where it originated. Jumped in and took off and it didn't stall and didn't run too rough.

It'* been about two months since my buddy reset the service engine soon light and it finally came on again just last week. I took it to a parts store and they hooked up the same gizmo my buddy had. The guy said it was an evap system leak....and it was a small one. I asked for the code and he said it gave no code. He said it might be a leak in the return line.

When he suggested I just return to the dealer I explained this car is a rebuilt salvage vehicle - the manufacturer'* warranty is null and void. So he says "You're screwed!" LOL!
I also mentioned the stalling and leak problem and he said 'don't fill it up'.

I asked if he thought my mechanic could handle the problem and he said I should still take it to the dealer as they're better qualified.

At this point I might just get one of those gizmos and keep resetting the sucker. Long as I don't fill it to the top it runs great.

I figured some of you may have wondered what happened so that'* the story.

Thanks for the update. I would pursue locating the fuel leak also as it could potentially become a dangerous condition.

Do you pump more after the pump stops? that'll mess you up a lot, no point to it either IMO.

Definetly find the leak ASAP. New cap is cheap as well.

SSEi with an SE bumper huh?

No, I don't pump more after it stops.

It only leaks when it'* been filled and then stops after driving about 5 miles - but I will be trying to find that leak.

HMMMMM.....I did not realize that wasn't an SSEi bumber but the car was hit in the front passenger side quarter panel.

Under the law it had to be a 75% loss in order to be totaled so I figured there would be hidden issues with this car. So far this fill-up leak problem is the most major thing wrong with it.

I talked him down $3100 from his asking price over a period of two months. If it hadn't been two months of brutal winter weather he probably could have sold it for more than I gave him.