Investigations
FUEL SPURTING
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE87006 - closed, opened 1986-11-14 and involving the CHEVROLET CHEVROLET.
NHTSA investigation PE87006 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 1986-11-14 and currently closed. The subject of record is CHEVROLET CHEVROLET, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for CHEVROLET. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 1987-04-22 - NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE87006 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER: IT APPEARS THAT THE GASOLINE INTHE FUEL TANKS OF THE CHEVROLET P-30 CHASSIS VEHICLES VOLATIZE INCREASINGTHE PRESSURE WITHIN THE FUEL TANKS. THE FUEL RESERVOIR SYSTEM IS CLOSEDREQ..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related CHEVROLET files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER: IT APPEARS THAT THE GASOLINE INTHE FUEL TANKS OF THE CHEVROLET P-30 CHASSIS VEHICLES VOLATIZE INCREASINGTHE PRESSURE WITHIN THE FUEL TANKS. THE FUEL RESERVOIR SYSTEM IS CLOSEDREQUIRING THE GASOLINE VAPOR TO BE REMOVED THROUGH THE CARBON CANISTER ATTHE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAPACITY OF THE CANISTER TO PROCESS THE GASVAPOR IS LIMITED BY AN ORIFICE IN THE CANISTER INLET LINE (THE ORIFICE ISDESIGNED TO RESTRICT LIQUID GASOLINE FROM ENTERING THE CANISTER). THEFUEL LINES ON THE RAILS PARALLEL TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. WHEN PRESSURE DOES BUILD UP WITHIN THE FUEL SYSTEM, THE FUEL CAP DESIGN DOES NOT APPEARTO ALLOW FOR CONTROLLED PRESSURE RELEASE ALLOWING GASOLINE TO SPEW FROMTHE INLET PIPE.ANALYSIS: WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN PARTICULARLY HOT DAYS (AND/ORHIGH ALTITUDES) THE GASOLINE IN THE FUEL TANKS CAN VOLATIZE IN EXCESS OFTHE CARBON CANISTER CAPACITY ALLOWING PRESSURE TO BUILD IN THE FUEL TANKS.IF THE FUEL CAP IS NOT DESIGNED TO ALLOW CONTROLLED PRESSURE RELIEF DURINGREMOVAL, GASOLINE MAY SPURT OUT OF THE INLET PIPE RESULTING IN A POTENTIALFIRE.PROPOSED ACTION: CLOSE THIS PE ON GM AND OPEN AN ENGINEERING ANALYSISINVOLVING VARIOUS MOTORHOME MANUFACTURERS BUILDING ON THE GM P30 CHASSIS.===
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
Other CHEVROLET Investigations
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Fuel Line Leak
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. about how PlainCars sources NHTSA data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.