Fuel Filler Inlet Warning

[SnowStorm]

Now getting the "Check Fuel Filler Inlet" warning every time I turn on the car.  Filled up and its still there.  The manual says to check it, so I did.  Looked OK for all I could tell.  The manual then says that:

"the message may not reset immediately. It may take several driving cycles for the message to turn off. A driving cycle consists of an engine start-up (after four or more hours with the engine off) followed by city/highway driving. Continuing to drive with the message on may cause the service engine soon lamp to turn on as well."

Does anyone know:

1. How many is "several"
2. Definition of "city/highway" driving
3. Can the "service engine soon" situation degenerate into a forced shutdown of the car
4. Is there any way to "force" a system test that would immediately remove the message if the filler is now OK?

Any help is appreciated.

[Bill-N]

Now getting the "Check Fuel Filler Inlet" warning every time I turn on the car.  Filled up and its still there.  The manual says to check it, so I did.  Looked OK for all I could tell.  The manual then says that:

"the message may not reset immediately. It may take several driving cycles for the message to turn off. A driving cycle consists of an engine start-up (after four or more hours with the engine off) followed by city/highway driving. Continuing to drive with the message on may cause the service engine soon lamp to turn on as well."

Does anyone know:

1. How many is "several"
2. Definition of "city/highway" driving
3. Can the "service engine soon" situation degenerate into a forced shutdown of the car
4. Is there any way to "force" a system test that would immediately remove the message if the filler is now OK?

Any help is appreciated.

 

My interpretation would be:

1. 6 = several
2. Some of each, e.g. back and forth to the store, once in awhile up to 50+ mph = city/highway
3. Based on the word "soon", unlikely but not impossible
4. No way that I'm aware of to force a system test.

Assuming you use the car daily, I'd schedule a dealer appointment for late next week.  If the issue goes away, you can always cancel.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Cheers.

[plus 3 golfer]

ForScan will likely be able to reset it as there is probably a DTC stored.  Here's the driving cycle pdf that I attached to a post before.

 

http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_id=1747

[Louder North]

Now getting the "Check Fuel Filler Inlet" warning every time I turn on the car.  Filled up and its still there.  The manual says to check it, so I did.  Looked OK for all I could tell.  The manual then says that:

"the message may not reset immediately. It may take several driving cycles for the message to turn off. A driving cycle consists of an engine start-up (after four or more hours with the engine off) followed by city/highway driving. Continuing to drive with the message on may cause the service engine soon lamp to turn on as well."

Does anyone know:

1. How many is "several"
2. Definition of "city/highway" driving
3. Can the "service engine soon" situation degenerate into a forced shutdown of the car
4. Is there any way to "force" a system test that would immediately remove the message if the filler is now OK?

Any help is appreciated.

 

The 'check engine' light always came on in my old car (Subaru Outback) and I was always told it because of a leaking gas cap or a leak caused by a corrosion in the filler neck.  It is possible there is some very small debris that is causing one of the two 'trap doors' in the capless C-Max system to remain open and therefore is causing that light to come on.  If you are sure the inlet is clean, then eventually that light should go off.  There was also a thread on this topic a while back; here it is

 

.

[SnowStorm]

Thanks to all for answers and links (search function doesn't work on my computer).  I hooked up ForScan and got:

 

Module OBDII code P0457-P - EVAP system leak detected (fuel cap off/loose)

Status:

  - Pending - malfunction is expected to be confirmed

 

Module PCM code P0457.00-E4

Status:

  - Previously set DTC - Not Present at Time of Request

  - Malfunction Indicator Lamp On for this DTC

  - Test not complete

 

I reset the DTCs, heard a couple of faint clicks (?) and now the message is gone when restarting the car.  I suppose, though, that it may still take "driving cycles" to prove if the problem is really gone?  That won't happen for a while since the all-wheel drive vehicle will get driven next due to the big snow storm SnowStorm is getting now. Winter at last.

[plus 3 golfer]

Thanks to all for answers and links (search function doesn't work on my computer).  I hooked up ForScan and got:

 

Module OBDII code P0457-P - EVAP system leak detected (fuel cap off/loose)

Status:

  - Pending - malfunction is expected to be confirmed

 

Module PCM code P0457.00-E4

Status:

  - Previously set DTC - Not Present at Time of Request

  - Malfunction Indicator Lamp On for this DTC

  - Test not complete

 

I reset the DTCs, heard a couple of faint clicks (?) and now the message is gone when restarting the car.  I suppose, though, that it may still take "driving cycles" to prove if the problem is really gone?  That won't happen for a while since the all-wheel drive vehicle will get driven next due to the big snow storm SnowStorm is getting now. Winter at last.

Yes, also note in the driving cycle that to enter the EVAP check, the ambient temperature has to be between 40F and 100F.  Here's P0457 from the manual.  Note what one should do to clear debris on the seal - in essence put the funnel in and remove 5X. :)

 

P0457 - EVAP System Leak Detected (Fuel Cap Loose/Off)

Description: The PCM infers the fuel level when the ignition switch is in the OFF position based on fuel tank vapor pressure. If the fuel tank pressure rapidly changes after key OFF the PCM sets a refueling flag. This DTC sets when the evaporative emission (EVAP) monitor detects a gross leak while the refueling flag is set and incorrectly sealed fuel tank filler pipe is suspected. When the DTC sets, a message on the instrument panel cluster (IPC) may display. Possible Causes:

• Capless fuel tank filler pipe not sealed correctly
• Damaged capless fuel tank filler pipe

Diagnostic Aids: Verify the capless fuel tank filler pipe is sealed correctly. Install and remove the supplemental fueling adapter five times in the capless fuel tank filler pipe to clear debris on the seal. Refer to the Owners Literature for the location of the supplemental fueling adapter in the vehicle. If OK, clear the continuous memory DTCs and test the system for correct operation. Application   Key On Engine Off Key On Engine Running Continuous Memory All   GO to Pinpoint Test HX . 

[BIG ROCCO]

We used to have that message come on and off frequently on our '13 - it started when we started driving the CM up to our place in the mountains - I always thought it had something to do with the 5,000 ft change in elevation.  The light would be on for days, then go off for days, then come back on.  I remember reading that the fix was to replace the fuel filler neck, but we never bothered to take it in to have that done.  We no longer have that car - we now have a '15 CM and this car seems to have a very noticeably different looking capless system.  We have only gone about 3,300 miles on our '15, but the check fuel filler inlet has not ever gone on.  We also haven't driven it to the mountains either, but we did drive it to Las Vegas once and that includes an elevation change of about 3,000 ft (with no fuel filler messages).

[salsaguy]

Big Rocco  - it looks like you havent updated your user profile info to show you now have a '15 CMax instead of your old '13 CMax. Left hand panel shows "2013 CMax in White Platinum"

 

;)

[Taiwwa]

I got the exact same problem recently. Could it be the cold weather?

[Kelleytoons]

"supplemental fueling adapter"?

 

Um, is this something I'm supposed to have?  Or are we talking about just getting a regular funnel?  I'd like to kind of know in advance just in case I ever get this issue (even on our Durango we get a similar "check fuel line" on the regular old fuel cap that has to be reset periodically).

[plus 3 golfer]

"supplemental fueling adapter"?

 

Um, is this something I'm supposed to have?  Or are we talking about just getting a regular funnel?  I'd like to kind of know in advance just in case I ever get this issue (even on our Durango we get a similar "check fuel line" on the regular old fuel cap that has to be reset periodically).

Lift up the lid to the storage compartment in the rear hatch.  The funnel is to the left of the storage compartment.  The owner's manual has a pic and description.

[Kelleytoons]

Ah, thanks (yeah, I guess RTFM would have helped :>).

[SnowStorm]

With the snow storm gone ( :sad: ), The Enterprise has been driven through a bunch of "driving cycles" (hopefully enough) and the warning has not returned.  Sure hope it stays that way.  The capless system is convenient but I'd hate to have a repair bill on it.

[OMeara1948]

This happens to my 2016 CMax Hybrid SEL everytime I "fix" it.  I have been driving it with the check engine light on now for a yr.  which I don't feel good about but

I can't figure out how to reset the Check Engine light so ......anyone know how to reset the CHECK ENGINE light?  I searched for the reset sequense but I have only found the maintenance reset; start, brake&gas pedal.

[ptjones]

If you had one of the OBDII Scanners you could reset it and tell what caused the Check Engine Light.

 

Paul

[plus 3 golfer]

Your CEL will automatically go away if the issue causing the problem has gone away. You can drive the car following the Ford "drive cycle" and if the issue is fixed the CEL will go away. It you manually clear the DTCs with a scan tool, the CEL will simply come back on as the OBD monitors run through all the emissions related checks.

 

The fuel filler inlet would be under the EVAP in the drive cycle. So, after ICE is warmed up (wait for temp gauge in left hand display to move past the first line), drive the car as required under the EVAP section 6. Some monitors have to run several times with no issues before the CEL is cleared. So, shut the car off for at least 4 hours and rerun the EVAP. My guess that you have likely run the EVAP monitor many times in normal driving and whatever is causing the issue isn’t fixed.

Edited October 15, 2019 by Plus 3 Golfer