Evaporative Emissions

The evaporative emission (EVAP) system:

• prevents hydrocarbon emissions from reaching the atmosphere.
• stores fuel vapors in the EVAP canisters that are generated during vehicle operation or hot soak until they can be consumed by the engine during normal engine operation.
• routes the stored fuel vapors to the engine during engine operation.
• is controlled by the powertrain control module (PCM) which, using various sensor inputs, calculates the desired amount of purge flow. The PCM regulates the purge flow, induced by the application of intake manifold vacuum, by varying the duty cycle applied to the EVAP canister purge valve.
• has an EVAP test port for test purposes.

The fuel vapors are routed:

• from the fuel tank through the fuel vapor vent valve.
• to the EVAP canisters through a vapor line.
• to the engine when the EVAP canister purge valve is opened by the PCM.

The fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor:

• monitors the pressure levels in the fuel tank.
• communicates the pressure reading to the PCM during the OBD II leak test.

The evaporative emissions (EVAP) canisters:

• are located under the vehicle along the left rocker panel.
• contain activated carbon.
• store fuel vapors.

The fuel tank filler cap:

• relieves system vacuum below 3.8 kPa (15.26 inches H² O).

The canister vent solenoid:

• is normally open.
• seals the evaporative emissions system for the inspection and maintenance (I/M 240) test and OBD II leak and pressure tests.
• is mounted to the evaporative emissions canister.

The evaporative emission (EVAP) canister purge valve:

• is normally closed.
• regulates the purging of the EVAP canisters.
• is controlled by the PCM.

The evaporative emission (EVAP) system test port:

• is a part of the EVAP canister purge valve.
• is used to connect the Evaporative Emissions System Leak Tester to the EVAP system.

The evaporative emission (EVAP) dust separator:

• is attached to the rear of the EVAP canister bracket.
• prevents suspended dust and dirt particles from entering the evaporative emission system.
• is repaired as a separate item.

The evaporative emission system monitor:

• is a self-test strategy within the powertrain control module (PCM) which tests the integrity of the EVAP system.
• monitors the EVAP system for leaks.
• monitors electronic EVAP components for irrationally high or low voltages.
• monitors for correct EVAP system operation.
• uses negative and positive leak test methods to test and activate the EVAP system.

The EVAP Running Loss System leak test:

• utilizes intake manifold vacuum to test the system and involves several stages.