Tunga

I have a 2002 Cavalier LS it has 55,000 miles on it when you release the gas cap the car will die or or if it stays running it blows out black smoke. Has anyone ever heard of this before or has had it happen to them?

OverAllComa

Why the hell would you do that?

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1992 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 *R.I.P.*
3.1L MPFI (3.1 6cylinder Pushrod 12V)
1997 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 *R.I.P.*
2.4L "Twin Cam" (2.4 4cylinder DOHC 16V)
2003 Honda Accord EX V6 - The new hotness

PsychoJJ

Quick thought on this....turn the damn car off before you take the gas cap off.

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jakegday

ill agree, theres really no need to open the gas cap while the car is running, however, the problem he's having certainly cannot be normal, im very interested in hearing what someone trying to answer the question would say.....

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2001 Grand Prix GT: cat/u-bend/resonator delete, zzp PLOG, Custom Intake, DHP PCM,
1981 Fairmont 6cyl 3 speed

Tunga

it is my brother's car, I dunno why he doesn't turn it off first but the car shouldn't be doing that. I think he also said he has to pump the gas a couple of times before he can get it to start.

Ryan066

well pumping the gas would do nothing on a cavalier b4 trying to start it because its MP?? holding the gas pedal then trying to start it would.

the reason for the black smoke is that its being flogged with raw fuel.. so this is a strange problem.. is your SES light on?

Tookie

It might seem the injectors' seat seals are clogged with fine particles that are preventing them from closing fully, thus allowing fuel to leak past and into the cylinders. Start-up would indeed create a flooded engine and a smokey burn.
Removing the gas tank cap while the car is running could be affecting the pump operation if there is much vacuum in the tank. this might mean there is some problem with the line on the tank that should prevent the vacuum from occurring in the first place.
This is all conjecture of course; but it might provoke some indepth brainstorming...lol