Evaporative Emission System

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 vapor tube.

The fuel vapors are routed:
- from the fuel tank through the fuel vapor vent valve.
- to the EVAP canisters through a vapor tube.
- to the engine when the vapor tube is opened by the PCM.

The fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor (part of fuel vapor tube assembly):
- monitors the pressure levels in the fuel tank.
- communicates the pressure reading to the PCM during the OBD II leak test.

The fuel vapor tube assembly:
- is located under the rear of the vehicle.
- is used to monitor fuel pressure and relay information to the PCM.

The EVAP canister:
- is located under the rear of the vehicle.
- contains activated carbon.
- stores fuel vapors.

The fuel tank filler cap:
- relieves system vacuum below -3.5 kPa (-16.00 H2O).

The EVAP canister vent solenoid:
- is normally open.
- seals the EVAP system for the inspection and maintenance (I/M 240) test and OBD II leak and pressure tests.
- is mounted to the EVAP canister.

The EVAP canister purge valve:
- is normally closed.
- regulates the purging of the EVAP canisters.
- is controlled by the PCM.
- is repaired as a separate item.
- is mounted on the cowl.

The EVAP dust separator:
- is attached to the EVAP canister vent solenoid.
- prevents suspended dust and dirt particles from entering the evaporative emission system.
- is repaired as an assembly with the EVAP canister vent solenoid.

The EVAP system monitor:
- is a self-test strategy within the 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.