New to the forum... issue 2001 Tahoe

[TigerTahoe]

Hi! New to the forum. Bought a 2001 LT Tahoe last September with 268,000 + miles. Excellent maintenance records from previous 2 owners ( i mean, 12 pages of spreadsheets of maintenance). Original engine and transmission. For 3K cash, we are very happy with the beast.

Problem... We have been chasing a check engine light with various codes, (emissions, mostly), but the biggest issue right now for me is a fuel smell when we fill up the gas tank. If it's 3/4 full, you don't smell fuel, but if it's topped off, it reeks. We've replaced the gas cap with OEM part, reconnected a loose vacuum line under the rear of vehicle, and tightened the fuel hose clamp to the tank. The fuel smell seems to be coming from the rear-- not in the cabin per se (although our dog might disagree)... but, when I open the lift gate after filling up, it's like I poured gas on the back of the vehicle. Any suggestions? Hubby and I are pretty reasonable home mechanics and have worked on plenty of older Chevys and other vehicles (current resto project a 1964 beetle). Thanks in advance for ideas...

 

[Fless]

Welcome from traffic central around Denver!

Get the specific codes and post them in your thread so we have some more clues.

FWIW: One thing that can happen is the fuel pump rusts out on the top of the fuel tank; any signs of fuel running down the side of the tank? Also, the evap canister can get soaked with gas (by overfilling the tank), ruining it. You can remove the evap lines from the canister and see if there is any fuel in the lines and check its condition. Charcoal pellets shouldn't be loose or in the evap lines.

 

[TigerTahoe]

Welcome from traffic central around Denver!

Get the specific codes and post them in your thread so we have some more clues.

FWIW: One thing that can happen is the fuel pump rusts out on the top of the fuel tank; any signs of fuel running down the side of the tank? Also, the evap canister can get soaked with gas (by overfilling the tank), ruining it. You can remove the evap lines from the canister and see if there is any fuel in the lines and check its condition. Charcoal pellets shouldn't be loose or in the evap lines.

I will get with hubby and post the codes. The canister thing is something we hadn't looked at yet. There aren't any signs of fuel leaking that we've noticed, but we will look. Thanks, Heaps!

 

[TigerTahoe]

Thanks! Codes are PO440, Po442, PO446,
P1441. Pic for reference....

 

[Fless]

After seeing the evap codes, I would initially suspect the evap purge valve that is on the engine. Might not do anything for the fuel smell, though.

You can look at detailed info about each one of those codes by going to the link below. Verify that I selected your vehicle (2wd) or move to the same section under the K-chassis Tahoe link. Then click on the "Testing and Inspection" link, followed by "P Code Charts", then select a specific code to see how and why it sets.

A L L Diagnostic Trouble Codes ( DTC ) — 2001 Chevrolet C Tahoe 2WD V8-5.3L VIN T Service Manual | Operation CHARM

Detailed repair manual for the 2001 Chevrolet C Tahoe 2WD V8-5.3L VIN T.

charm.li

 

[Joseph Garcia]

If you've been 'topping it off', then your issue is likely the evap canister and possibly charcoal pellets getting into the hoses in that area. Do not top off these trucks when fueling.