EMISSION CONTROL - V8
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 17-2-33
Vacuum Reservoir
1Vacuum port to SAI vacuum solenoid valve
2Vacuum port to intake manifold
(one-way valve end)3Vacuum reservoir
A vacuum reservoir is included in the vacuum supply line between the intake manifold and the SAI vacuum solenoid
valve. The vacuum reservoir contains a one-way valve, to stop depression leaking back towards the intake manifold
side. The reservoir holds a constant vacuum so that the SAI control valves open instantaneously as soon as the SAI
solenoid valve is energised.
The vacuum reservoir is a plastic canister construction located on a bracket at the LH side of the engine compartment
on vehicles up to 2003 model year and on the RH side of the engine compartment, near the bulkhead, on vehicles
from 2003 model year. It is important to ensure the reservoir is fitted in the correct orientation, and the correct vacuum
hoses are attached to their corresponding ports. The one-way valve end of the vacuum reservoir (cap end, to inlet
manifold) is fitted towards the rear of the vehicle.
A small bore nylon hose is used to connect the one-way valve end of the vacuum reservoir to a port on the RH side
of the inlet manifold. A further hose connects between the other port on the vacuum reservoir and a port on the front
of the SAI vacuum solenoid valve.
M17 0212
1
2
3
EMISSION CONTROL - V8
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 17-2-35
Exhaust Emission Control Operation
The oxygen content of the exhaust gas is monitored by heated oxygen sensors using either a four sensor (NAS only)
or two sensor setup, dependent on market destination and legislative requirements. Signals from the heated oxygen
sensors are input to the engine management ECM which correspond to the level of oxygen detected in the exhaust
gas. From ECM analysis of the data, necessary changes to the air:fuel mixture and ignition timing can be made to
bring the emission levels back within acceptable limits under all operating conditions.
Changes to the air:fuel ratio are needed when the engine is operating under particular conditions such as cold starting,
idle, cruise, full throttle or altitude. In order to maintain an optimum air:fuel ratio for differing conditions, the engine
management control system uses sensors to determine data which enable it to select the ideal ratio by increasing or
decreasing the air to fuel ratio. Improved fuel economy can be arranged by increasing the quantity of air to fuel to
create a lean mixture during part-throttle conditions, however lean running conditions are not employed on closed loop
systems where the maximum is λ = 1. Improved performance can be established by supplying a higher proportion of
fuel to create a rich mixture during idle and full-throttle operation. Rich running at wide open throttle (WOT) for
performance and at high load conditions helps to keep the exhaust temperature down to protect the catalyst and
exhaust valves.
The voltage of the heated oxygen sensors at λ = 1 is between 450 and 500 mV. The voltage decreases to 100 to 500
mV if there is an increase in oxygen content (λ > 1) indicating a lean mixture. The voltage increases to 500 to 1000
mV if there is a decrease in oxygen content (λ < 1), signifying a rich mixture.
The heated oxygen sensor needs to operate at high temperatures in order to function correctly (≥ 350° C). To achieve
this the sensors are fitted with heater elements which are controlled by a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal from
the engine management ECM. The heater element warms the sensor's ceramic layer from the inside so that the
sensor is hot enough for operation. The heater elements are supplied with current immediately following engine start
and are ready for closed loop control within about 20 to 30 seconds (longer at cold ambient temperatures less than
0°C (32°F)). Heating is also necessary during low load conditions when the temperature of the exhaust gases is
insufficient to maintain the required sensor temperatures. The maximum tip temperature is 930° C.
A non-functioning heater element will delay the sensor's readiness for closed loop control and influences emissions.
A diagnostic routine is utilised to measure both sensor heater current and the heater supply voltage so its resistance
can be calculated. The function is active once per drive cycle, as long as the heater has been switched on for a pre-
defined period and the current has stabilised. The PWM duty cycle is carefully controlled to prevent thermal shock to
cold sensors.
The heated oxygen sensors age with mileage, causing an increase in the response time to switch from rich to lean
and lean to rich. This increase in response time influences the closed loop control and leads to progressively
increased emissions. The response time of the pre-catalytic converter sensors are monitored by measuring the period
of rich to lean and lean to rich switching. The ECM monitors the switching time, and if the threshold period is exceeded
(200 milliseconds), the fault will be detected and stored in the ECM as a fault code (the MIL light will be illuminated
on NAS vehicles). NAS vehicle engine calibration uses downstream sensors to compensate for aged upstream
sensors, thereby maintaining low emissions.
Diagnosis of electrical faults is continuously monitored for both the pre-catalytic converter sensors and the post-
catalytic converter sensors (NAS only). This is achieved by checking the signal against maximum and minimum
threshold for open and short circuit conditions. For NAS vehicles, should the pre- and post-catalytic converters be
inadvertently transposed, the lambda signals will go to maximum but opposite extremes and the system will
automatically revert to open loop fuelling. The additional sensors for NAS vehicles provide mandatory monitoring of
the catalyst conversion efficiency and long term fuelling adaptations.
Note that some markets do not legislate for closed loop fuelling control and in this instance no heated oxygen
sensors will be fitted to the exhaust system.
EMISSION CONTROL - V8
17-2-36 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Failure of the closed loop control of the exhaust emission system may be attributable to one of the failure modes
indicated below:
lMechanical fitting & integrity of the sensor.
lSensor open circuit / disconnected.
lShort circuit to vehicle supply or ground.
lLambda ratio outside operating band.
lCrossed sensors.
lContamination from leaded fuel or other sources.
lChange in sensor characteristic.
lHarness damage.
lAir leak into exhaust system (cracked pipe / weld or loose fixings).
System failure will be indicated by the following symptoms:
lMIL light on (NAS and EU-3 only).
lDefault to open-loop fuelling for the defective cylinder bank.
lIf sensors are crossed, engine will run normally after initial start and then become progressively unstable with
one bank going to its maximum rich clamp and the other bank going to its maximum lean clamp – the system will
then revert to open-loop fuelling.
lHigh CO reading
lStrong smell of H
2S (rotten eggs)
lExcessive emissions
Fuel Metering
When the engine is cold, additional fuel has to be provided to the air:fuel mixture to assist starting. This supplementary
fuel enrichment continues until the combustion chamber has heated up sufficiently during the warm-up phase.
Under normal part-throttle operating conditions the fuel mixture is adjusted to provide minimum fuel emissions and
the air:fuel mixture is held close to the optimum ratio (λ = 1). The engine management system monitors the changing
engine and environmental conditions and uses the data to determine the exact fuelling requirements necessary to
maintain the air:fuel ratio close to the optimum value that is needed to ensure effective exhaust emission treatment
through the three-way catalytic converters.
During full-throttle operation the air:fuel mixture needs to be made rich to provide maximum torque. During
acceleration, the mixture is enriched by an amount according to engine temperature, engine speed, change in throttle
position and change in manifold pressure, to provide good acceleration response.
When the vehicle is braking or travelling downhill the fuel supply can be interrupted to reduce fuel consumption and
eliminate exhaust emissions during this period of operation.
If the vehicle is being used at altitude, a decrease in the air density will be encountered which needs to be
compensated for to prevent a rich mixture being experienced. Without compensation for altitude, there would be an
increase in exhaust emissions and problems starting, poor driveability and black smoke from the exhaust pipe. For
open loop systems, higher fuel consumption may also occur.
Exhaust Emission System Diagnostics
The engine management ECM contains an on-board diagnostics (OBD) system which performs a number of
diagnostic routines for detecting problems associated with the closed loop emission control system. The diagnostic
unit monitors ECM commands and system responses and also checks the individual sensor signals for plausibility,
these include:
lLambda ratio outside of operating band
lLambda heater diagnostic
lLambda period diagnostic
lPost-catalytic converter lambda adaptation diagnostic (NAS only)
lCatalyst monitoring diagnostic
Lambda Ratio Outside Operating Band
The system checks to ensure that the system is operating in a defined range around the stoichiometric point. If the
system determines that the upper or lower limits for the air:fuel ratio are being exceeded, the error is stored as a fault
code in the ECM diagnostic memory (the MIL light is illuminated on NAS vehicles).
EMISSION CONTROL - V8
17-2-38 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor and Air Temperature Sensor
The engine management ECM uses the mass air flow sensor to measure the mass of air entering the intake and
interprets the data to determine the precise fuel quantity which needs to be injected to maintain the stoichiometric
air:fuel ratio for the exhaust catalysts. If the mass air flow sensor fails, lambda control and idle speed control will be
affected and the emission levels will not be maintained at the optimum level. If the device should fail and the ECM
detects a fault, it invokes a software backup strategy.
+ ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - V8, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION, Description - engine
management.
The air temperature sensor is used by the engine management ECM to monitor the temperature of the inlet air. If the
device fails, catalyst monitoring will be affected. The air temperature sensor in integral to the mass air flow sensor.
+ ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - V8, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION, Description - engine
management.
Throttle Position Sensor
If the engine management ECM detects a throttle position sensor failure, it may indicate a blocked or restricted air
intake filter. Failure symptoms may include:
lPoor engine running and throttle response
lEmission control failure
lNo closed loop idle speed control
lAltitude adaption is incorrect
If a signal failure should occur, a default value is derived using data from the engine load and speed.
+ ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - V8, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION, Description - engine
management.
Atmospheric pressure will vary with altitude and have a resulting influence on the calculations performed by the ECM
in determining the optimum engine operating conditions to minimise emissions. The following are approximate
atmospheric pressures for the corresponding altitudes:
l0.96 bar at sea level
l0.70 bar at 2,750 m (9,000 ft.)
EMISSION CONTROL - V8
17-2-40 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
To maintain driveability and effective emission control, EVAP canister purging must be closely controlled by the
engine management ECM, as a 1% concentration of fuel vapour from the EVAP canister in the air intake may shift
the air:fuel ratio by as much as 20%. The ECM must purge the fuel vapour from the EVAP canister at regular intervals
as its storage capacity is limited and an excessive build up of evaporated fuel pressure in the system could increase
the likelihood of vapour leaks. Canister purging is cycled with the fuelling adaptation as both cannot be active at the
same time. The ECM alters the PWM signal to the purge valve to control the rate of purging of the canister to maintain
the correct stoichiometric air:fuel mixture for the engine.
Fuel Leak Detection System Operation (vacuum type) – NAS only
The advanced evaporative loss control system used on NAS vehicles is similar to the standard system, but also
includes a CVS valve and fuel tank pressure sensor and is capable of detecting holes in the fuel evaporative system
down to 1 mm (0.04 in.). The test is carried out in three parts. First the purge valve and the canister vent solenoid
valve closes off the storage system and the vent pressure increases due to the fuel vapour pressure level in the tank.
If the pressure level is greater than the acceptable limit, the test will abort because a false leak test response will
result. In part two of the test, the purge valve is opened and the fuel tank pressure will decrease due to the depression
from the intake manifold, evident at the purge port of the EVAP canister during purge operation. In part three of the
test, the leak measurement test is performed. The pressure response of the tests determines the level of leak, and if
this is greater than the acceptable limit on two consecutive tests, the ECM stores the fault in diagnostic memory and
the MIL light on the instrument pack is illuminated. The test is only carried out at engine idle with the vehicle stationary,
and a delay of 15 minutes after engine start is imposed before diagnosis is allowed to commence.
EMISSION CONTROL - V8
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 17-2-41
EVAP System, Leak Detection Diagnostic (vacuum type)
The EVAP system leak detection is performed as follows:
1The ECM checks that the signal from the fuel tank pressure sensor is within the expected range. If the signal is
not within range, the leakage test will be cancelled.
2Next the purge valve is held closed and the canister vent solenoid (CVS) valve is opened to atmosphere. If the
ECM detects a rise in pressure with the valves in this condition, it indicates there is a blockage in the fuel
evaporation line between the CVS valve and the EVAP canister, or that the CVS valve is stuck in the closed
position and thus preventing normalisation of pressure in the fuel evaporation system. In this instance, the
leakage test will be cancelled.
3The CVS valve and the purge valve are both held in the closed position while the ECM checks the fuel tank
pressure sensor. If the fuel tank pressure sensor detects a decline in pressure, it indicates that the purge valve
is not closing properly and vapour is leaking past the valve seat face under the influence of the intake manifold
depression. In this instance, the leakage test will be cancelled.
4If the preliminary checks are satisfactory, a compensation measurement is determined next. Variations in fuel
level occur within the fuel tank, which will influence the pressure signal detected by the fuel tank pressure
sensor. The pressure detected will also be influenced by the rate of change in the fuel tank pressure, caused by
the rate of fuel evaporation which itself is dependent on the ambient temperature conditions. Because of these
variations, it is necessary for the ECM to evaluate the conditions prevailing at a particular instance when testing,
to ensure that the corresponding compensation factor is included in its calculations.
The CVS valve and purge valves are both closed while the ECM checks the signal from the fuel tank pressure
sensor. The rise in fuel pressure detected over a defined period is used to determine the rate of fuel evaporation
and the consequent compensation factor necessary.
5With the CVS valve still closed, the purge valve is opened. The inlet manifold depression present while the purge
valve is open, decreases EVAP system pressure and sets up a small vacuum in the fuel tank. The fuel tank
pressure sensor is monitored by the ECM and if the vacuum gradient does not increase as expected, a large
system leak is assumed by the ECM (e.g. missing or leaking fuel filler cap) and the diagnostic test is terminated.
If the EVAP canister is heavily loaded with hydrocarbons, purging may cause the air:fuel mixture to become
excessively rich, resulting in the upstream oxygen sensors requesting a leaner mix from the ECM to bring the
mixture back to the stoichiometric ideal. This may cause instability in the engine idle speed and consequently
the diagnostic test will have to be abandoned. The ECM checks the status of the upstream oxygen sensors
during the remainder of the diagnostic, to ensure the air:fuel mixture does not adversely affect the engine idle
speed.
6When the fuel tank pressure sensor detects that the required vacuum has been reached (-800 Pa), the purge
valve is closed and the EVAP system is sealed. The ECM then checks the change in the fuel tank pressure
sensor signal (diminishing vacuum) over a period of time, and if it is greater than expected (after taking into
consideration the compensation factor due to fuel evaporation within the tank, determined earlier in the
diagnostic), a leak in the EVAP system is assumed. If the condition remains, the MIL warning light will be turned
on after two drive cycles.
The decrease in vacuum pressure over the defined period must be large enough to correspond to a hole
equivalent to 1 mm (0.04 in.) diameter or greater, to be considered significant enough to warrant the activation
of an emissions system failure warning.
The diagnostic test is repeated at regular intervals during the drive cycle, when the engine is at idle condition. The
diagnostic test will not be able to be performed under the following conditions:
lDuring EVAP canister purging
lDuring fuelling adaption
lIf excess slosh in the fuel tank is detected (excess fuel vapour will be generated, invalidating the result)
Following the test, the system returns to normal purge operation after the canister vent solenoid opens. Possible
reasons for an EVAP system leak test failure are listed below:
lFuel filler not tightened or cap missing.
lSensor or actuator open circuit.
lShort circuit to vehicle supply or ground.
lEither purge or CVS valve stuck open.
lEither purge or CVS valve stuck shut or blocked pipe.
lPiping broken or not connected.
lLoose or leaking connection.
EMISSION CONTROL - V8
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 17-2-43
Secondary Air Injection System
Operation
When the engine is started, the engine control module checks the engine coolant temperature and if it is below 55°
C, the ECM grounds the electrical connection to the coil of the secondary air injection (SAI) pump relay.
A 12V battery supply is fed to the inertia switch via fuse 13 in the engine compartment fusebox. When the inertia
switch contacts are closed, the feed passes through the switch and is connected to the coil of the Main relay. An earth
connection from the Main relay coil is connected to the ECM. When the ECM completes the earth path, the coil
energises and closes the contacts of the Main relay.
The Main and Secondary Air Injection (SAI) pump relays are located in the engine compartment fusebox. When the
contacts of the Main relay are closed, a 12V battery supply is fed to the coil of the SAI pump relay. An earth connection
from the coil of the SAI pump relay is connected to the ECM. When the ECM completes the earth path, the coil
energises and closes the contacts of the SAI pump relay to supply 12V to the SAI pump via fusible link 2 in the engine
compartment fusebox. The SAI pump starts to operate, and will continue to do so until the ECM switches off the earth
connection to the coil of the SAI pump relay.
The SAI pump remains operational for a period determined by the ECM and depends on the starting temperature of
the engine, or for a maximum operation period determined by the ECM if the target engine coolant temperature has
not been reached in the usual time.
When the contacts of the main relay are closed, a 12V battery supply is fed to the SAI solenoid valve via Fuse 2 in
the engine compartment fusebox.
The ECM grounds the electrical connection to the SAI vacuum solenoid valve at the same time as it switches on the
SAI pump motor. When the SAI vacuum solenoid valve is energised, a vacuum is provided to the operation control
ports on both of the vacuum operated SAI control valves at the exhaust manifolds. The control vacuum is sourced
from the intake manifold depression and routed to the SAI control valves via a vacuum reservoir and the SAI vacuum
solenoid valve.
The vacuum reservoir is included in the vacuum supply circuit to prevent vacuum fluctuations caused by changes in
the intake manifold depression affecting the operation of the SAI control valves.
When a vacuum is applied to the control ports of the SAI control valves, the valves open to allow pressurised air from
the SAI pump to pass through to the exhaust ports in the cylinder heads for combustion.
When the ECM has determined that the SAI pump has operated for the desired duration, it switches off the earth paths
to the SAI pump relay and the SAI vacuum solenoid valve. With the SAI vacuum solenoid valve de-energised, the
valve closes, cutting off the vacuum supply to the SAI control valves. The SAI control valves close immediately and
completely to prevent any further pressurised air from the SAI pump entering the exhaust manifolds.
The engine coolant temperature sensor incurs a time lag in respect of detecting a change in temperature and the SAI
pump automatically enters a 'soak period' between operations to prevent the SAI pump overheating. The ECM also
compares the switch off and start up temperatures, to determine whether it is necessary to operate the SAI pump.
This prevents the pump running repeatedly and overheating on repeat starts.
Other factors which may prevent or stop SAI pump operation include the prevailing engine speed / load conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL - V8
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 17-2-45
Flow Test (P Codes P1414 and P1417)
When the Leak test has been passed successfully, the SAI control valves are then opened while the SAI pump is still
operational. Flow should now begin to enter the exhaust system. By monitoring the HO2S sensor voltage output, the
ECM determines if sufficient flow is being introduced into the exhaust system. Depending on which bank of the engine
detects the fault, one or both P codes can be stored.
Fault Finding Methodology
Malfunctions can be broadly categorised into two different categories: Flow Faults or Leak Faults.
Additionally, they also differ depending if the corresponding P code exists for both cylinder banks simultaneously or
is unique to one bank, for example:
Faults of each of the four basic types should be investigated in a different priority order, starting with the most logically
plausible cause or component.
Fault Finding Flow Charts
The following flow charts show the order of investigation that should be performed depending on the type of fault
present. These should be treated as guidelines to ensure that the most likely and plausible causes are addressed first.
However, the flow charts assume that no clear or obvious reason for failure exists. If the cause of the malfunction is
immediately obvious, then the flow charts should not be followed.
Once a malfunction is identified, it should be rectified as necessary and the system checked as per the instructions
in the following 'Checking Malfunctions' section.
NOTE: It is not necessary to follow the remainder of the flow chart once a potential root cause has been identified.
Flow Fault Finding chart
1Fault codes P1412, P1414, P1415 or P1417 present
2Insufficient flow detected
3Is fault present on both cylinder banks?
If 'NO' proceed to step 4
If 'YES' proceed to step 8
4Vacuum supply – Check for: blockage and/or vacuum line disconnected from SAI valve
5SAI Valve – Check for: jam / diaphragm leak or blockage
6Delivery Hoses to SAI Valve – Check for: blockage / leaks
7SAI Pipes to Cylinder Head – Check for: blockage / leaks
8Electrical Issue – Check for: Related P code (relay/fuse/solenoid), rectify as necessary and check connectors
9Vacuum Supply – Check for: Blocked/leaking vacuum lines or correct solenoid operation (open/closed)
10Delivery Hoses – Check for: Blocked/leaking hoses
11SAI Pump – Check for: Correct operation using TestBook/T4 or pump blockage/failure
12SAI Valves – Check for: Both SAI Valves jammed/blocked/leaking diaphragms
Leak Fault Finding Chart
1Fault codes P1413 or P1416 present
2SAI system leak detected
3Is fault present on both cylinder banks?
If 'NO' proceed to step 4
If 'YES' proceed to step 5
4SAI Valve – Check for: leakage
5Vacuum supply – Check for: solenoid stuck open (mechanical failure) or stuck open (electrical failure)
6SAI Valve – Check for: leakage from one or both valves
P Code Type One Bank Only Both Banks
FlowIII
LeakIII IV