Code P0446, EVAP Vent System Performance?

Tiny
ADBAL
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 BUICK CENTURY
  • 3.1L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 132,000 MILES
Dear technician,

In my car listed above I very often have the Check Engine Soon notification with this number: No. P0446 and text: EVAP Vent System Performance.
My capable car-technician (experience with USA-cars) told me it has to do with this:
Gasoline vapor in the tank is sucked to the engine through a thin pipe with 2 valves.
Valves are opened/closed by the car-electronics, call it system, and based on that the system says OK (does nothing) or reports the PO 446-error.
Note: he has a device to control & simulate & read the system, below I call it “screen”.

He cleaned and checked the gasoline-inlet if it is closed 100%, it’s OK.
He tested the thin pipe and the valves, no blockage and no leaks.
To be sure he replaced one valve (close to the tank).
To check the wiring, he needs a drawing of the system with the numbers/colors of the wires on it.
Please be so kind to email me that drawing so we can check the wires.
A few more questions:
- Can we test the wires & valves by opening them using the system?
If yes, please send the codes/commands/nrs. We must use on the system’s screen.
- When and based on what sends the system signals to the valves?
- Is there a device that measure a vacuum or something else and sends a signal to the system?
- How to simulate that? Do something with the measuring-device? (If there is one.)
Can we see on the screen of the device-controller what that measuring-device does?
Can we simulate a certain value and hear the valves opening/closing?
- When does the system do what it must do, just by interval or?

In Holland we have a saying:
It takes only 1 fool to drive a 1000 men crazy, just by asking them too many questions.
Now I feel like that fool, hope I didn’t drive you crazy...
Awaiting your answers,
Kind regards,
Adrian B.
Monday, September 16th, 2024 AT 6:47 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
Lol you are okay :) To me it sounds like the purge control valve is not working or you have a hole in the EVAP system somewhere.

The purge valve is top rear of the engine, behind the ignition control module, is that the valve they changed? The EVAP valves are controlled by the PCM so here is the engine and EVAP system wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works and which wires to test. Also, I have included this guide which can help you with the testing:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

This guide can help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/evap-system-code-repair

Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

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Monday, September 16th, 2024 AT 12:04 PM
Tiny
ADBAL
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Dear technician, (AKA Len, I believe?)
Last week I asked you about error code No. P0446.
You sent me a lot of information and schematic’s, thanks, very welcome!
My friend the technician and I talked it over.
We decided to start from the beginning, the gasoline inlet.

Very thoroughly I cleaned the gasoline-inlet and put a piece of plastic film over it before closing it, to have some extra “grip” and closure.
Actually, this is the part that is often taken off, so worth trying.

Drove several times the past few days without opening the inlet.
So far: NO more error P0446!
Maybe we have found the problem, anyway, thanks for your help!

And now I have another question, (sorry)
In all my USA-cars I could open the trunk from behind the steering wheel, this Buick is the first one without such a button. Can only open it with the remote or the key.
You’ll feel it coming:
Please let me know if, and where in the diagram I can found the right wires and I can mount a small button in the dash, and by pushing it: a miracle, the trunk opens!
Would really be nice if you can help me with this one as well.
If not, no is also an answer.

Kind regards from the land of tulips and windmills,
Adrian B.
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Tuesday, September 24th, 2024 AT 4:41 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
Glad you could get it fixed, thanks for letting us know. Sorry, we only handle one problem per thread, please post your new question here, you must be logged in.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

Cheers, Ken
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Tuesday, September 24th, 2024 AT 2:02 PM

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