The evaporative emission (EVAP) control system limits fuel vapors from escaping into the atmosphere. Fuel tank vapors are allowed to move from the fuel tank, due to pressure in the tank, through the vapor pipe, into the EVAP canister. Carbon in the canister absorbs and stores the fuel vapors. Excess pressure is vented through the vent line and EVAP vent valve to atmosphere. The EVAP canister stores the fuel vapors until the engine is able to use them. At an appropriate time, the control module will command the EVAP purge valve ON, open, allowing engine vacuum to be applied to the EVAP canister. With the EVAP vent valve OFF, open, fresh air will be drawn through the valve and vent line to the EVAP canister. Fresh air is drawn through the canister, pulling fuel vapors from the carbon. The air/fuel vapor mixture continues through the EVAP purge pipe and EVAP purge valve into the intake manifold to be consumed during normal combustion. The control module uses several tests to determine if the EVAP system is leaking.

This tests for large leaks and blockages in the EVAP system. The control module will command the EVAP vent valve ON, closed, and command the EVAP purge valve ON, open, with the engine running, allowing engine vacuum into the EVAP system. The control module monitors the fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor voltage to verify that the system is able to reach a predetermined level of vacuum within a set amount of time. The control module then commands the EVAP purge valve OFF, closed, sealing the system and monitors the vacuum level for decay. If the control module does not detect that the predetermined vacuum level was achieved, or the vacuum decay rate is more than a calibrated level on 2 consecutive tests, DTC P0455 sets.

The engine off natural vacuum, (EONV), diagnostic is the small leak detection diagnostic for the EVAP system. The EONV diagnostic monitors the EVAP system pressure or vacuum with the key OFF. The EONV utilizes the temperature changes and the resulting naturally occurring vacuum or pressure in the fuel tank immediately following a drive cycle. When the vehicle is driven, the temperature in the fuel tank rises. When the vehicle is parked with the engine OFF and key OFF, the temperature in the fuel tank will continue to rise for a period of time, and then begin to decrease. The EONV diagnostic relies on this temperature change, and the corresponding pressure change to determine if an EVAP system leak is present. The EONV diagnostic is designed to detect leaks as small as 0.51 mm (0.020 in). The diagnostic can determine if a small leak is present based on vacuum or pressure readings in the EVAP system. When the EVAP system is sealed a finite amount of pressure or vacuum will be observed. When a 0.51 mm (0.020 in) leak is present, little or no pressure or vacuum is observed. If the test reports a failing value, DTC P0442 will set.

If the EVAP vent system is restricted, fuel vapors will not be properly purged from the EVAP canister. The control module tests this by commanding the EVAP purge valve ON, open; and commanding the EVAP vent valve OFF, open; and monitoring the FTP sensor for an increase in vacuum. If vacuum increases more than a calibrated value, DTC P0446 sets.

If the EVAP purge valve does not seal properly, fuel vapors could enter the engine at an undesired time, causing driveability concerns. The control module tests for this by commanding the EVAP purge valve OFF, closed; and vent valve ON, closed; sealing the system, and monitoring the FTP for an increase in vacuum. If the control module detects that EVAP system vacuum increases above a calibrated value, DTC P0496 sets.

The control module sends a serial data message to the driver information center (DIC) to display the Check Gas Cap message when a malfunction in the evaporative emission (EVAP) system causes a large leak test to fail.

The EVAP system consists of the following components:

The canister is filled with carbon pellets used to absorb and store fuel vapors. Fuel vapor is stored in the canister until the control module determines that the vapor can be consumed in the normal combustion process.

The EVAP purge valve controls the flow of vapors from the EVAP system to the intake manifold. This normally closed valve is pulse width modulated (PWM) by the control module to precisely control the flow of fuel vapor to the engine. The valve will also be opened during some portions of the EVAP testing, allowing engine vacuum to enter the EVAP system.

The EVAP vent valve controls fresh airflow into the EVAP canister. The valve is normally open. The control module will command the valve closed during some EVAP tests, allowing the system to be tested for leaks.

The FTP sensor measures the difference between the pressure or vacuum in the fuel tank and outside air pressure. The control module provides a 5-volt reference and a ground to the FTP sensor. The FTP sensor provides a signal voltage back to the control module that can vary between 0.1-4.9 volts. As FTP increases, FTP sensor voltage decreases, high pressure = low voltage. As FTP decreases, FTP voltage increases, low pressure or vacuum = high voltage.