1999 Ford Escort Fuel Emissions Not Ready

1999 FORD ESCORT
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SANDRA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I HAVE A 1999 FORD ESCORT WITH 82,500 MILES ON IT. I LOVE MY LITTLE CAR, IT HAS NEVER GIVEN ME ANY PROBLEMS, UNTIL NOW. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I TOOK THE CAR IN AND THE MECHANINC TOLD ME THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL LINE, ANYWAY HE FIXED THE PROBLEM. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR BACK TWO WEEKS LATER TO HAVE IT SMOGGED THE MECHANIC SAID WHEN HE INITIALLY DID THE WORK ON THE FUEL LINE HE HAD TO REMOVE THE "CHIP", WHICH ERASED ALL THE MEMORY AND I WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE IT FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS INORDER FOR THE MEMORY TO BUILD BACK UP. THAT WAS 3 MONTHS AGO, I TAKE THE CAR IN PERIODICALLY TO SEE IF THE MEMORY IS BACK ON THE "CHIP" SO I CAN GET IT SMOGGED. EVERYTHING READS READY EXCEPT FOR THE FUEL EMISSIONS PORTION, IT READS "NOT READY". AND THEY CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT AS TO WHY THE MEMORY HASNT BUILT BACK UP. PLEASE ADVISE ME ON WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE.
Jan 9, 2006 at 7:25 AM
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BUBBA_KOSKI
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 129 POSTS
get a new gas cap, when memory is erased it does build back IN A WAY, when the cap is defective or isnot screwed on tight, it can cause an emmisions code, therefore when memory is erased it dont see aproblem when one has arrived, therefore it will not read ready, i have no clue why he messed with the computer when changing out the fuel lines.
Sep 28, 2006 at 5:22 AM
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NOS
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 320 POSTS
if it had a code that said evaporative emmisions leak detected. that means that there is a loose gas cap or that you left the car running while filling it with gas. or there is a leak in one or all the lines or a canaster valve is stuck.or there is a bad tank vent valve. when they use a scanner to clear codes that is all it does they don't remove any chips but if they don't fix the problem the same thing will keep coming back till they fix it right. most times ford uses a smoke machine to find these kinda leaks. and even then they tel me it is not a sure thing. i use light air pressure and soap and water in a spray bottle has worked best for me. so you really need to find out the code number and what it says for me to give you a better idea what to look for. sound like a whole lot of runn around to me(NOS) 8)
Sep 28, 2006 at 2:11 PM
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BUBBA_KOSKI
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 129 POSTS
when you mentioned emmsions code the first thing came to me was gas cap, clearing codes doesnt mean clearing problems, they use an OBD2 scanner for 96 models and above not a CHIP in the fuel lines.
Sep 28, 2006 at 3:29 PM
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Suggested Repair

Replace the gas cap and confirm it is tight. Have the evaporative emissions system checked for leaks in the lines, canister valve, or tank vent valve, using a smoke test or light air pressure with soapy water. Obtain the actual diagnostic code; the fuel-emissions monitor will not become ready until the underlying fault is repaired. Codes are cleared with an OBD2 scanner, not by removing a chip.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1999 Ford Escort said a fuel-line repair was followed by a claim that a chip had been removed and the computer memory erased. Three months later, the fuel-emissions monitor still read not ready for a smog test. Experts said that explanation was incorrect and that an evaporative emissions leak, often a loose or defective gas cap, leaking lines, a stuck canister valve, or a bad tank vent valve, can prevent the monitor from setting until the fault is fixed. They recommended getting the specific code and leak-testing the system.

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