EVAP Running Loss System Leak Test

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Lincoln LS. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

To start the testing, conditions of stable purging and vehicle speed must be satisfied. During the first stage, the canister vent solenoid is closed, while the EVAP canister purge valve remains open, applying and building vacuum in the system as indicated by the FTP sensor. This phase checks for major leaks in the EVAP system.

In the second stage, the EVAP canister purge valve closes and the system looks for minimal decay rate in the EVAP vacuum, indicating the absence of any small EVAP system leaks.

The last stage is entered only if stage two of the leak test has failed and checks whether the failed test was due to excess vapor generation. It monitors fuel vapor generation rate. Initially, the canister vent solenoid is opened to equalize EVAP system pressure to atmosphere. Then the canister vent solenoid is closed, allowing pressure to build if vapor generation is present in sufficient quantity. If the rate of generation is found to be too high, the EVAP running loss system leak test is aborted. If not, then a small leak is diagnosed.