Got stuck in tunnel - need advice for ODBII scan tool

[exp500]

Automotive – BAFX Products
These list Iphone!

 

[B-train]

A couple of weeks ago my wife and I got stuck about 15 yards into the Eisenhower tunnel here in Colorado, coming up from Denver on our way to Breckenridge. We were towing our 6,000 lbs travel trailer and the drive was uneventful until then, the transmission running 220-230 and the engine about 210-225.

As soon as we reached the tunnel - 11,000 feet - the Yukon started sputtering, lost power and died, within 30 seconds. I tried to restart it, but no luck. A few cars flew by in the left lane and we were like WTF. Next thing I know there are signs lit up to 'Stay in vehicle, help is on the way'. I see one guy running down the catwalk towards us and next thing a tow truck shows up. The guy ask 'what happened, did it just die?', I responded yep and he said it is probably vapor lock. They had the Yukon hooked up in a few seconds and started towing us the 1.5 miles to the other end. While being towed I noticed there was no other traffic and commented to my wife that I think they closed the frigging tunnel. As we were getting closer to the end of the tunnel and up to speed we noticed traffic starting to pass us on the left again.

With no power brakes it was a bit of a chore to get it stopped at the other end. The tow truck driver said to pop the hood and gas cap, enjoy the scenery and try starting it in 20-30 minutes. They had another tow truck check in a few minutes later to let us know that would help us out (at no cost) if we couldn't get it started.

In any event, after 30 minutes of cooling off it started right up again. Came back a few days later through the tunnel, no problems. In fact, it has been running great since. Took it to Advanced Auto today and the dude did not find any codes with the scan tool. He suggested vapor lock as well and recommended Sea Foam, I bought a can, but did not put any in yet, any experience out there with this product? Any others I should consider? I have not used any additives in the fuel since we bough the Yukon used almost three years ago.

Also, looking for an affordable ODBII scan tool to add to my toolbox, any recommendations on a model that works well without breaking the bank?

Thx as always.

Sea foam is great for engines. Don't worry one bit. I would however look at cleaning the throttle body, inspecting the air filter, as well as some injector cleaner. That poor girl was breathing HARD pulling up that hill.

The fuel tank basically expanded like a balloon from the change in pressure due to elevation and possibly was making the gas 'boil' in the tank. Then it was force fed to the engine via the purge solenoid.... and bobs your uncle. Once the gas cap was cracked and the fuel had a chance to normalize, it was all good again.

I had a similar issue on a 2009 Denali I brought from O.K. city. It was 113F in the sun, air on idling while we did the deal. Drive away and it started sputtering and seemed underpowered (talk about poop the pants moment after just handing a envelope of cash to someone!). The gas guage was about 3/8 and since these don't return fuel anymore, I knew it must be getting too hot for the pump. Filled up with 60F fuel and hit the road - problems went away and made it 1100 miles home. You may have experienced something similar in your situation.

 

[donjetman]

We do that mtn pass and many others in CO & NM summers and winters in our 07 Denali. Never had a problem (yet), but we aren't towing anything.

 

[Just Fishing]

neat, it makes sense, but I haven't ever heard of that before.
Adding that little tidbit to my knowledge bank.