Buick Regal: Evaporative Emission System Diagnosis

Special Tools

• CH-44284-2 Fuel Flapper Door Holder
• EN-41413-VLV EVAP Service Port Vent Fitting
• GE-41415-60 Engine Induction System Leak Test Adapter/Capless Fuel Fill Adapter

Operating Instructions for the Evaporative Emission System Tester

Vehicle Setup

WARNING: Refer to Fuel and Evaporative Emission Pipe Warning.

CAUTION: Use the Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Tester GE 41413-A in order to provide a clean, dry, low pressure nitrogen gas source. Do not substitute any other pressurized source, gas or otherwise.

Damage may result to the EVAP system, test equipment or cause a safety risk.

NOTE: When servicing the evaporative emission (EVAP) system, test pressure must not exceed 13 in H20 (0.5 PSI) as pressure in excess of this could cause system components to perform inaccurately.

NOTE: A large difference between the vehicle temperature and shop temperature will seriously affect the accuracy of the tests. Always allow at least 15 min for the vehicle temperature to adjust to the shop temperature. Refer to Temperature Variation Instructions for more information about vehicle versus shop temperatures.

1. Engine OFF, open the hood. Position a large fan to blow air under the vehicle onto the fuel tank area.

2. Connect the red battery clip from the tester to the positive battery terminal.

NOTE: The vehicle battery must be fully charged for optimum tester performance.

3. Connect the black battery clip from the tester to chassis ground.

Flow Meter Test - Leak Detection

CAUTION: Refer to Fuel and Evaporative Emission Hose/Pipe Connection Cleaning Caution.

1. Open the Nitrogen tank valve and turn the NITROGEN / SMOKE valve on the front control panel to NITROGEN.

2. Connect the hose to the correct test orifice on the bottom front of the tester. For orifice size, refer to the vehicle specific information found in service procedures for DTCs that relate to EVAP system leaks.

3. Press and release the remote switch to activate the tester.

NOTE: The tester will time out after about 15 min. You may press the remote switch to reactivate the tester as desired.

4. Position the sliding red flag on the flow meter to align with the floating indicator. When the red flag is set, press and release the remote switch to deactivate the tester.

5. Remove the hose from the test orifice and install the hose onto the vehicle. For proper connection location, and the special tool numbers for any adapters that may be required, refer to the service procedures for DTCs that relate to EVAP system leaks.

6. Ignition ON, seal the EVAP system per instructions in the service procedures for DTCs that relate to EVAP system leaks. Most systems can be sealed using a scan tool output control for the EVAP Vent Solenoid Valve, other systems require that the vent system be plugged.

NOTE:

• Larger volume fuel tanks, and/or those with lower fuel levels, may require several minutes to fill with nitrogen.
• Static buildup may cause the float indicator to stick. It may be necessary to tap on the flow meter to free up the float.
• If fuel level is 90% or greater it will take longer to fill the system with smoke because the fuel fill tube check valve will be closed and force any smoke to pass through the on-board refueling vapor recovery pipe and orifice.

7. Press and release the remote switch to activate the nitrogen flow and fill the system.

8. Verify the stable floating indicator position to the red flag.

• Above the red flag, result is unacceptable - fail

Go to the Smoke Procedure

• Go to next step: Below the red flag - pass. Test complete

9. Press and release the remote switch to deactivate the tester.

Smoke Procedure - Locate the Leak

NOTE: It is not recommended to use the tester in an outside repair bay area because wind and sunlight may affect temperature and your ability to see the smoke.

1. Turn OFF any fans that may cause air movement around or near the vehicle.

NOTE: Completely unwind the nitrogen/smoke hose from the bracket to optimize the tester's performance.

2. Connect the nitrogen/smoke hose to the vehicle as directed in the service procedures. Some vehicles require that the nitrogen/smoke hose be connected at the front of the EVAP system at the EVAP service port. An adapter may be necessary. Other vehicles require the connection be made at the rear of the system using an adapter at the fuel fill cap or capless fuel fill. Consult the service procedures for DTCs that relate to EVAP system leaks for vehicle specific instructions regarding connection location and adapters.

3. Open the Nitrogen tank valve and turn the nitrogen/smoke valve on the control panel to smoke.

NOTE: The remote switch operates on a push ON, push OFF fashion.

4. Press and release the remote switch to activate the tester and inject smoke into the EVAP system.

5. Verify smoke has filled the EVAP system by opening the system opposite the end where smoke is injected.

NOTE:

• When injecting smoke at the service port:
  • Vehicles with gas cap - remove fill cap
  • Vehicles with capless fuel fill - open flappers with CH- 44284-2 or GE-41415-60

    Until smoke is observed, then close the system and continue testing.

• If using a special tool fuel fill cap / capless fuel fill adapter at the filler neck, vent the system at the service port, with special tool EN-41413-VLV until smoke is observed then remove the vent fitting tool and close the system to continue with the test.

  Inject smoke in less than 2 min cycles for optimum tester performance.

6. Press and release the remote switch to deactivate the tester.

NOTE: For optimum visual smoke performance, deactivate the smoke flow and allow the system pressure to drop. Allowing the smoke to exit small holes at a low flow rate greatly enhances visibility.

7. Introduce smoke into the system for an additional 60 s. Continue introducing smoke at 15 s intervals, as necessary until leak source is identified.

8. Using a high-intensity white light, inspect the entire EVAP system path, and look for the source of the leak indicated by the exiting smoke.

• Smoke seen leaking

Repair or replace the affected component.

• Go to next step: No smoke seen leaking

9. All OK

Temperature Variation Instructions

The Concern

Ideal circumstances for conducting the EVAP flow meter test require equal temperatures between the Nitrogen gas and the vehicle EVAP system. Significant differences in temperature between them can result in a flow or pressure change during testing, causing misleading results. Typically, the evaporative emission system tester is stored indoors, approximately 21ºC (70ºF). Vehicles brought in for diagnosis may have an EVAP system at significantly different temperatures.

For Example

NOTE: With no temperature difference between the Nitrogen gas and EVAP system, the resulting vehicle EVAP system pressure will remain stable at 13 in. H2O (0.5 PSI) once pressurized, providing no leaks are present.

When the EVAP flow meter tests are performed with significant differences in temperature between the Nitrogen gas and the vehicle EVAP system, the following results can occur:

• An increase in flow during the flow meter test can be caused by a vehicle's warm EVAP system cooling down.
• A decrease in flow during the flow meter test can be caused by a vehicle's cool EVAP system warming up.

The Solution

When working on a vehicle with significant temperature differences between the vehicle EVAP system and the Nitrogen gas, allow the vehicle EVAP system temperature to stabilize as close as possible to the temperature of the Nitrogen gas before conducting the flow meter test.

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