EMISSION CONTROL - V8
17-2-18 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Fuel Vapour Separator (NAS version illustrated)
1Filler neck
2Filler cap
3Liquid vapour separator (LVS)
4To fuel tank
5Vapour from fuel tank to liquid vapour separator
(LVS)6Rubber hose
7Pipe connection to OBD sensor in fuel pump
(NAS vehicles with vacuum type leak detection
system only)
8Vent pipe to EVAP canister
9Anti-trickle valve (NAS only)
The fuel vapour separator is located under the rear wheel arch next to the filler neck and protected by the wheel arch
lining. The connections to the separator unit are quick release devices at the end of the flexible hoses which connect
the fuel tank to the inlet side of the separator and the outlet of the separator to the evaporation vent line.
The fuel separator construction is different between NAS and ROW vehicles; the LVS on NAS vehicles is an L-shaped
metal tube and for all other markets is an integral part of the moulded plastic filler neck.
EMISSION CONTROL - V8
17-2-20 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
For NAS vehicles with positive pressure, EVAP system leak detection capability, the atmosphere vent line from the
EVAP canister connects to a port on the fuel leak detection pump via a short, large bore hose which is secured to the
component ports by crimped metal clips at each end. A large bore plastic hose from the top of the leak detection pump
is routed to the RH side of the engine bay where it connects to an air filter canister. Under normal operating conditions
(when the fuel leak detection solenoid valve is not energised), the EVAP canister is able to take in clean air via the
air filter, through the pipework and past the open solenoid valve to allow normal purge operation to take place and
release any build up of EVAP system pressure to atmosphere.
The EVAP system pipes are clipped at various points along the pipe runs and tied together with tie straps at suitable
points along the runs.
The NAS and ROW EVAP canisters are of similar appearance, but use charcoal of different consistency. The ROW
vehicles use granular charcoal of 11 bwc (butane working capacity) and NAS vehicles use pelletised charcoal with a
higher absorption capacity of 15 bwc. All canisters are of rectangular shape and have capacities of 1.8 litres (3 1/8
imp. pts) with purge foam retention.
Purge Valve
1Direction of flow indicator
2Inlet port – from EVAP canister3Outlet port – to inlet manifold
4Integral electrical connector
The EVAP canister purge valve is located in the engine bay at the LH side of the engine intake manifold. The valve
is held in position by a plastic clip which secures the inlet pipe of the purge valve to a bracket mounted at the rear of
the engine compartment. On vehicles with secondary air injection, the purge valve is fixed to a metal bracket together
with the SAI vacuum solenoid valve; the purge valve is fixed to the bracket by two plastic clips.
A nylon pipe connects the outlet of the purge valve to the stub pipe on the plenum chamber via a short rubber hose.
The connector to the plenum chamber is a quick-release type, plastic 90° female elbow; the connection is covered by
a rubber seal which is held in position on the port stub pipe.
A service port is connected in line between the EVAP canister and the inlet side of the purge valve and is rated at 1
psi maximum regulated pressure. The service port must be mounted horizontally and is located close to the bulkhead
at the rear of the engine bay. The service point is used by dealers for pressure testing using specialist nitrogen test
equipment for localising the source of small leaks.
The purge valve has a plastic housing, and a directional arrow is moulded onto the side of the casing to indicate the
direction of flow. The head of the arrow points to the outlet side of the valve which connects to the plenum chamber.
Purge valve operation is controlled by the engine control module (ECM). The purge valve has a two-pin electrical
connector which links to the ECM via the engine harness. Pin-1 of the connector is the power supply source from fuse
2 in the engine compartment fusebox, and pin-2 of the connector is the switched earth from the ECM (pulse width
modulated (PWM) signal) which is used to control the purge valve operation time. Note that the harness connector
for the purge valve is black, and must not be confused with the connector for the Secondary Air Injection
vacuum solenoid valve which is grey.
When the purge valve is earthed by the ECM, the valve opens to allow hydrocarbons stored in the EVAP canister to
be purged to the engine inlet manifold for combustion.
EMISSION CONTROL - V8
17-2-22 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
The valve is normally open, allowing any build up of air pressure within the evaporation system to escape, whilst
retaining the environmentally harmful hydrocarbons in the EVAP canister. When the ECM is required to run a fuel
system test, the CVS valve is closed to seal the system. The ECM is then able to measure the pressure in the fuel
evaporative system using the fuel tank pressure sensor.
The ECM performs electrical integrity checks on the CVS valve to determine wiring or power supply faults. The ECM
can also detect a valve blockage if the signal from the fuel tank pressure sensor indicates a depressurising fuel tank
while the CVS valve should be open to atmosphere.
The following failure modes are possible:
lConnector or harness wiring fault (open or short circuit)
lValve stuck open or shut
lValve blocked
If the CVS valve malfunctions, the following fault codes may be stored in the ECM diagnostic memory, which can be
retrieved using TestBook/T4:
Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor (NAS vehicles with vacuum type leak detection system only)
1Ambient pressure
2Tank pressure3Sensor cell
The fuel tank pressure sensor is located in the top flange of the fuel tank sender / fuel pump module and is a non-
serviceable item (i.e. if the sensor becomes defective, the complete fuel tank sender unit must be replaced). The fuel
tank pressure sensor connector is accessible through the fuel pump access hatch in the boot area floor of the vehicle.
The pressure sensor is a piezo-resistive sensor element with associated circuitry for signal amplification and
temperature compensation. The active surface is exposed to ambient pressure by an opening in the cap and by the
reference port. It is protected from humidity by a silicon gel. The tank pressure is fed up to a pressure port at the back
side of the diaphragm.
P-code Description
P0446CVS valve / pipe blocked
P0447CVS valve open circuit
P0448CVS valve short circuit to ground
P0449CVS valve short circuit to battery voltage
EMISSION CONTROL - V8
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 17-2-23
For systems utilising the vacuum method for determining evaporation leaks, the sensor is used to monitor for a drop
in vacuum pressure. The evaporation system is sealed by the CVS valve and purge valve after a vacuum has been
previously set up from the intake manifold while the purge valve is open and the CVS valve is closed. If any holes or
leaks are present at the evaporation system joints, the vacuum pressure will gradually drop and this change in
pressure will be detected by the fuel tank pressure sensor. This system is capable of determining leaks down to 1 mm
(0.04 in.) in diameter.
The fuel tank pressure sensor is part of the NAS OBD system, a component failure will not be noticed by the driver,
but if the ECM detects a fault, it will be stored in the diagnostic memory and the MIL light will be illuminated on the
instrument pack. Possible failures are listed below:
lDamaged or blocked sensor
lHarness / connector faulty
lSensor earthing problem
lOpen circuit
lShort circuit to battery voltage
lShort circuit to ground
lECM fault
Possible failure symptoms of the fuel tank pressure sensor are listed below:
lFuel tank pressure sensor poor performance
lFuel tank pressure sensor low range fault
lFuel tank pressure sensor high range fault
If the fuel tank pressure sensor should malfunction, the following fault codes may be stored in the ECM diagnostic
memory, which can be retrieved using TestBook/T4:
P-code Description
P0451Fuel tank pressure signal stuck high within range
P0452Fuel tank pressure signal short circuit to battery voltage (out of range - High)
P0453Fuel tank pressure signal short circuit to ground or open circuit (out of range - Low)
EMISSION CONTROL - V8
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 17-2-39
Evaporative Emission Control Operation
Fuel vapour is stored in the activated charcoal (EVAP) canister for retention when the vehicle is not operating. When
the vehicle is operating, fuel vapour is drawn from the canister into the engine via a purge control valve. The vapour
is then delivered to the intake plenum chamber to be supplied to the engine cylinders where it is burned in the
combustion process.
During fuel filling the fuel vapour displaced from the fuel tank is allowed to escape to atmosphere, valves within the
fuel filler prevent any vapour escaping through to the EVAP canister as this can adversely affect the fuel cut-off height.
Only fuel vapour generated whilst driving is prevented from escaping to atmosphere by absorption into the charcoal
canister. The fuel filler shuts off to leave the tank approximately 10% empty to ensure the ROVs are always above
the fuel level and so vapour can escape to the EVAP canister and the tank can breathe. The back pressures normally
generated during fuel filling are too low to open the pressure relief valve, but vapour pressures accumulated during
driving are higher and can open the pressure relief valve. Should the vehicle be overturned, the ROVs shut off to
prevent any fuel spillage.
Fuel vapour generated from within the fuel tank as the fuel heats up is stored in the tank until the pressure exceeds
the operating pressure of the two-way valve. When the two-way valve opens, the fuel vapour passes along the vent
line from the fuel tank (via the fuel tank vapour separator) to the evaporation inlet port of the EVAP canister. The fuel
tank vents between 5.17 and 6.9 kPa.
Fuel vapour evaporating from the fuel tank is routed to the EVAP canister through the fuel vapour separator and vent
line. Liquid fuel must not be allowed to contaminate the charcoal in the EVAP canister. To prevent this, the fuel vapour
separator fitted to the fuel neck allows fuel to drain back into the tank. As the fuel vapour cools, it condenses and is
allowed to flow back into the fuel tank from the vent line by way of the two-way valve.
The EVAP canister contains charcoal which absorbs and stores fuel vapour from the fuel tank while the engine is not
running. When the canister is not being purged, the fuel vapour remains in the canister and clean air exits the canister
via the air inlet port.
The engine management ECM controls the electrical output signal to the purge valve. The system will not work
properly if there is leakage or clogging within the system or if the purge valve cannot be controlled.
+ ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - V8, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION, Description - engine
management.
When the engine is running, the ECM decides when conditions are correct for vapour to be purged from the EVAP
canister and opens the canister purge valve. This connects a manifold vacuum line to the canister and fuel vapour
containing the hydrocarbons is drawn from the canister's charcoal element to be burned in the engine. Clean air is
drawn into the canister through the atmosphere vent port to fill the displaced volume of vapour.
The purge valve remains closed below preset coolant and engine speed values to protect the engine tune and
catalytic converter performance. If the EVAP canister was purged during cold running or at idling speed, the additional
enrichment in the fuel mixture would delay the catalytic converter light off time and cause erratic idle. When the purge
valve is opened, fuel vapour from the EVAP canister is drawn into the plenum chamber downside of the throttle
housing, to be delivered to the combustion chambers for burning.
The purge valve is opened and closed in accordance with a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal supplied from the
engine management ECM. The system will not work properly if the purge valve cannot be controlled. Possible failure
modes associated with the purge valve are listed below:
lValve drive open circuit.
lShort circuit to vehicle supply or ground.
lPurge valve or pipework blocked or restricted.
lPurge valve stuck open.
lPipework joints leaking or disconnected.
Possible symptoms associated with a purge valve or associated pipework failure is listed below:
lEngine may stall on return to idle if purge valve is stuck open.
lPoor idling quality if the purge valve is stuck open
lFuelling adaptions forced excessively lean if the EVAP canister is clear and the purge valve is stuck open.
lFuelling adaptions forced excessively rich if the EVAP canister is saturated and the purge valve is stuck open.
lSaturation of the EVAP canister if the purge valve is stuck closed.
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
17-2-42 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
If the piping is broken forward of the purge valve or is not connected, the engine may run rough and fuelling adaptions
will drift. The fault will not be detected by the leak detection diagnostic, but it will be determined by the engine
management ECM through the fuelling adaption diagnostics.
The evaluation of leakage is dependent on the differential pressure between the fuel tank and ambient atmospheric
pressure, the diagnostic is disabled above altitudes of 9500 ft. (2800 m) to avoid false detection of fuel leaks due to
the change in atmospheric pressure at altitude.
Fuel Leak Detection System Operation (positive pressure leak detection type) – NAS only
The EVAP system with positive pressure leak detection capability used on NAS vehicles is similar to the standard
system, but also includes a fuel evaporation leak detection pump with integral solenoid valve. It is capable of detecting
holes in the EVAP system down to 0.5 mm (0.02 in.). The test is carried out at the end of a drive cycle, when the
vehicle is stationary and the ignition switch has been turned off. The ECM maintains an earth supply to the Main relay
to hold it on, so that power can be supplied to the leak detection pump.
First a reference measurement is established by passing the pressurised air through a by-pass circuit containing a
fixed sized restriction. The restriction assimilates a 0.5 mm (0.02 in) hole and the current drawn by the pump motor
during this procedure is recorded for comparison against the value to be obtained in the system test. The purge valve
is held closed, and the reversing valve in the leak detection pump module is not energised while the leak detection
pump is switched on. The pressurised air from the leak detection pump is forced through an orifice while the current
drawn by the pump motor is monitored.
Next the EVAP system diagnostic is performed; the solenoid valve is energised so that it closes off the EVAP system's
vent line to atmosphere, and opens a path for the pressurised air from the leak detection pump to be applied to the
closed EVAP system.
The current drawn by the leak detection pump is monitored and checked against that obtained during the reference
measurement. If the current is less than the reference value, this infers there is a hole in the EVAP system greater
than 0.5 mm (0.02 in) which is allowing the positive air pressure to leak out. If the current drawn by the pump motor
is greater than the value obtained during the reference check, the system is sealed and free from leaks. If an EVAP
system leak is detected, the ECM stores the fault in diagnostic memory and the MIL light on the instrument pack is
illuminated.
On NAS vehicles, the ECM works on a 2 trip cycle before illuminating the MIL. On EU-3 vehicles, the ECM works on
a 3 trip cycle before illuminating the MIL.
Following the test, the solenoid valve is opened to normalise the EVAP system pressure and the system returns to
normal purge operation at the start of the next drive cycle. 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 solenoid valve stuck open.
lEither purge or solenoid valve stuck shut.
lBlocked pipe or air filter.
lPiping broken or not connected.
lLoose or leaking connection.
If the piping is broken forward of the purge valve or is not connected, the engine may run rough and fuelling adaptions
will drift. The fault will not be detected by the leak detection test, but will be determined by the engine management
ECM through the fuelling adaption diagnostics. This test can be run from TestBook/T4.