2004 Denali - Engine Running Rough After Fueling

BajaGTO · June 25, 2009

Yesterday after I got fuel, I pulled onto the road by my house, and my truck started to run a little rough. It never stalled, but it became sluggish and felt like it wanted to stall.

I went and got some witch doctor vodoo fuel system cleaner, but I was curious if anyone elses has had this problem.

3 fill ups ago after pulling away from the gas pump, the truck stalled on me as well. Any ideas?

REV353 · June 25, 2009

I have had the same thing done twice, mine died both times. After I thought about it, the tanker was filling up the gas station, I must of got some water. Both times I did let my truck run while filling too. I do not fill up when a tanker is there and I shut my truck off. Have not had a problem since.

PhilB · June 25, 2009

My first guess would be bad gas. I would switch stations and see if the problem reoccurs. My second guess would be dirty fuel filter. Does the fuel system cleaner resolve the problem for that particular tank of gas?

BajaGTO · June 25, 2009

My first guess would be bad gas. I would switch stations and see if the problem reoccurs. My second guess would be dirty fuel filter. Does the fuel system cleaner resolve the problem for that particular tank of gas?

Seems like it's working. I am also wondering if my throttle body might be dirty as well.

Draenor · June 25, 2009

My first guess would be bad gas. I would switch stations and see if the problem reoccurs. My second guess would be dirty fuel filter. Does the fuel system cleaner resolve the problem for that particular tank of gas?

Seems like it's working. I am also wondering if my throttle body might be dirty as well.

Bad gas and the filter.

The dirty TB would only give you a rough condition at idle. Though it wouldnt be a bad idea to take it out , inspect and clean.

BajaGTO · June 25, 2009

My first guess would be bad gas. I would switch stations and see if the problem reoccurs. My second guess would be dirty fuel filter. Does the fuel system cleaner resolve the problem for that particular tank of gas?

Seems like it's working. I am also wondering if my throttle body might be dirty as well.

Bad gas and the filter.

The dirty TB would only give you a rough condition at idle. Though it wouldnt be a bad idea to take it out , inspect and clean.

you can't change the filter on these trucks though right? I heard it was in the gas tank.

mini1 · June 25, 2009

Sounds like Ethanol. Do you like in a mandatory Ethanol state? If so, this could be the issue. Ethanol attracts water, which your vehicle can't burn. You need a bottle of Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment (anti-Ethanol treatment). I use it in all of my vehicles now and it seems to work great.

BajaGTO · June 26, 2009

Sounds like Ethanol. Do you like in a mandatory Ethanol state? If so, this could be the issue. Ethanol attracts water, which your vehicle can't burn. You need a bottle of Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment (anti-Ethanol treatment). I use it in all of my vehicles now and it seems to work great.

Yeah Michigan is one of those states. Where to you buy this treatment?

mini1 · June 27, 2009

Sounds like Ethanol. Do you like in a mandatory Ethanol state? If so, this could be the issue. Ethanol attracts water, which your vehicle can't burn. You need a bottle of Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment (anti-Ethanol treatment). I use it in all of my vehicles now and it seems to work great.

Yeah Michigan is one of those states. Where to you buy this treatment?

You can find it at some auto parts stores, Wal-Mart and almost any boating supply store. The stuff is marketed to marine users right now, but as problems start to hit autos, this is going to be a top seller in the auto market too. Its the only stuff on the market like it.

AINTNOFORD · June 27, 2009

Had the same thing happen to my new Denali. Went to Walmart and bought a couple of bottles of dry gas(Heet) yellow bottles and put in my tank. Cleared it up within a day or two. The alcohol in the Heet product will attract the water and it will burn it off. This is going to be the norm with Ethanol being put into gas in more and more states. My dealer tore my truck apart looking for a major problem, only to find out the gas that I bought had seperated. I am thinking about adding a bottle every fillup. Good Luck.

d3athsong · June 28, 2009

Use the black handle instead of the yellow one when filling?

takevin · June 28, 2009

Also dont fill up when the gas truck is there putting in new gas in the tanks.

BajaGTO · November 14, 2011

Just to close the loop on this. I think I figured it out. It only happened after I was being lazy/unsafe and fueling the truck while it was still running.

yukon_denali_05 · November 15, 2011

That should have nothing to do with it. I've never heard that ever being a cause for your truck to shut off. No fuel filter on the 04+ Nalis. When was the last time you checked your plugs?? Also, you need to check your throttle body. When the truck shuts off, does it happen after a smooth idle or does it idle rough like it's choking and then shut off?