Getting cheap gas can instigate anyone to overfill their car’s tank. Not just that, you might think, overfilling would not do any wrong to the car. But, overfilling can give rise to internal problems in a car.
So, can overfilling gas tank cause check engine light? To keep it short, yes, it can. The underlying reasons can be a damaged evaporation system, evap canister, faulty fuel cap, or leak in the fuel tank.
Overfilling the tank is not a good idea as it can bring about other problems. Now, let’s get to know why the overfilling gas tank can instigate the engine light. Keep your eye on the below section.
Can Overfilling Gas Tank Cause Check Engine Light?
Yes, the engine light may appear due to the overfilling of the gas tank. Well, the fuel vapor gas does not get expelled directly into the environment. It gets recycled and gets utilized in the engine. Some of the underlying causes of check engine light is described below.
1. Damaged Canister
As the gas is overfilled, there is a chance that it gets into the evaporation system. Especially, the gas might block the evaporation canister. Well, contamination in the vapor canister may occur. Consequently, the damaged canister can also be a cause of check engine light.
2. Fuel Cap
Apart from that, a damaged fuel seal or cap can also lead to turning on the indicator. Because overfilling can also damage the fuel seal or cap. The damaged seal will let the air get in the tank and expel some gases into the environment.
These damaged parts can cause the warning to appear. Try replacing the fuel cap to get rid of the engine light.
3. Leakage
On the other hand, excess fuel passes excess pressure in the tank. It can also lead to leakage in the tank and high inter-pressure can also be a cause for the trigger.
Sometimes, you may have faced a check engine light came on then went off. It’s alright as long as it does not come back.
What Happens When You Overfill A Gas Tank?
Overfilling the car is like giving an invitation to uninvited problems. Now, what are the uninvited problems? You will get an indication of the problems by the appearance of the check engine light. Now, let’s take a look at them.
1. Environmental Impact
Well, the most affected part due to the overfilling of the tank is the evaporation canister. The vapor canister filters the fuel gas and releases pure air into the atmosphere.
As a result, the environmental pollution is reduced. However, overfilling would not let the canister work and filter the air. Ultimately, the contaminated air gets out of the car and poses a higher risk of environmental pollution.
However, due to the damaged evaporation canister, the check engine light might appear. It’s a minor component in the car that would need to be changed in order to get rid of the check engine light.
2. Car Damage
When the fuel tank is overfilled, it can get the fuel in the canister and affect it. Similarly, it affects the tank and apparently causes car damage. As the polluted air travels through the evaporation system, the system is no longer able to function as before.
Moreover, the vapor canister itself is expensive and you would not want to waste money on such a trivial thing. Consequently, it can also cause damage to the oxygen sensor and converter.
However, any damaged part would trigger a check engine light as a warning. All the sensors are regulated and continuously monitored by the system. Faulty sensors would cause the check engine light and soon need a fix.
3. Car Misfiring
From the above sections, you already know the check engine light occurs due to an overfilling gas tank. As the indicator goes on, if you do not fix the problem, the car can misfire. It also leads to corrosion in the spark plug and would cause the check engine light.
There is no other choice than to replace the spark plug to prevent further damage to the engine. Well, the engine misfire at low rpm as well. That’s why, do not confuse the reason behind misfiring.
4. Leak
Overfilling exhibits excess pressure in the fuel tank. When the tank can not hold the excess fuel it may get cracked or result in leakage.
On the other hand, a leak in the fuel cap can also occur. Because the spilled fuel will continuously corrode the seal of the fuel cap. Consequently, the check engine light will turn on. And it will keep on going as long as you do not change the tank or fix the leak.
How Do You Know That Your Gas Tank Is Overfilled?
Recent advances in technology have enabled people to know when to stop overfilling their car’s tank.
Generally, the gas pump goes off when the tank is fully filled. After that, the gas might get into the filters and vacuum lines. This may impact the emission system. As the pump goes off, you should stop filling the gas. It’s for the safety of the car.
If the tank is filled over the top, the gas comes out and spills. So, you would know the gas is overfilled due to the spillage.
However, there are also manufacturer marks on the tank. When you push the gas, do not go beyond the maximum level. Checking the fuel level would also let you know if the gas is overfilled or not.
Apart from that, the check engine light may immediately come on the screen if you are too late to take a grab of the situation.
What To Do Before Check Engine Light Comes On After You Overfill The Gas Tank?
Once you overfill the tank, there is no going back. But you need to patiently handle the situation. If you do not solve the problem immediately, the check engine light will appear. Because long term damage to the car can occur due to overfilling that turns on the check engine light.
Well, most gases are volatile and evaporate with time. Even though it is overfilled, the spilled gas will slowly evaporate. Consequently, the gas inside will go down in the cylinder slowly while leaving no residues.
Better to give some time for the gas to move away before turning the engine on. Check out the fuel cap and wipe the residues. Let the excess gas spill out. Or else, get filtered.
Apart from that, you can also pump out the gas. For this, you need a hose and pump. Place the hose into the fuel tank using the gas cap pathway. Then, pump out the gas. Well, here you might pump out more than enough gas. So, be careful as you might need a refill.
People Also Ask
Let’s get to know some of the frequently asked questions by you.
Can overfilling the gas cause the car to stall?
Yes, overfilling the gas will slow down the engine. It’s because, as the evaporation system is affected, there is a chance of the purge valve getting hurt. Consequently, less gas sent to the engine causes the engine to work slowly and stall.
Can I start the car when it’s overfilled?
No, you should not take a chance. Do not start the car immediately. Rather wait for a few minutes and let the fuel turn back in the tank. Afterwards, it’s alright to start the car.
Can a car explode due to overfilling?
Not necessarily, but filling the car with a ruptured gas tank can lead to an explosion. However, overfilling can cause a leak in the tank. So, the explosion is indirectly related to overfilling if precautions are not taken.
Outro
So, can overfilling gas tank cause check engine light? It certainly can. Because overfilling has an effect on the evaporation system and the car’s performance. Which in turn can cause the engine light to be triggered.
You should not neglect this warning light as it might indicate bigger damage. Also, try to fill the gas tank moderately not going top off. Otherwise, you need to spend some fortune on the things which you will regret while spending.
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