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P0446 code after ethanol use

B

bcubed

CEG'er
Joined
Dec 30, 2007
Messages
32
Hey, been driving my 98 'tour mostly trouble-free for close to 1 year now. A few months ago, I wanted to test the car's upper limits on ethanol use (just for kicks-n-grins, and to know in case future fuel situations should change drastically). Figured I'd up the E-% by 10% a tankful until I popped a code or developed drivability problems. Got the light around E-40; never got any drivability issues.

Left it on a bit over 1 mo; then got it checked at an auto store. In addition to "too lean" (which I expected), I got "P0446-EVAP valve malf'n," (which I didn't). P0446 remained after resetting, while the lean code didn't.

Since the Haynes man'l is silent re: OBD-II, how is this rectified? Also, since there was >1 mo w/ the CEL on, is it likely the EVAP code isn't even related to the ethanol experiment?
 
Why would anyone run ethanol of any percentage on a car not designed to run it? It will east rubber seals gaskets in short order. Can't imagine what else it could cause havoc on. It's savings is almost unmeasurable not to mention the increased operating temperatures.
 
bcubed said:
... Also, since there was >1 mo w/ the CEL on, is it likely the EVAP code isn't even related to the ethanol experiment?
Click to expand...
The Contour is not designed for more than 10 % percent ethanol.

Maybe the EVAP code isn't related to the ethanol experiment, but the only way to find out is to put a new EVAP valve in (maybe $400 or so) and then try the experiment again. :rolleyes:
 
At http://en.allexperts.com/q/Ford-Repair-811/CANISTER-VENT-SOLENOID.htm , they mentioned this code as being due to "excessive fuel tank vaccum" during a self-test. It goes on to list a whole bunch of obstructions that could be causing this, but mentions the "fuel tank pressure sensor."

If the problem indeed IS the FTPS, then resetting and (say) detatcing it from the tank would--at the very least--wind up triggering a different code?

I'm not particularly worried about ethanol: I figure rubber components designed to stand up to 10% for 100,000 mi are fully up to the task of 40% for 280 or so. (I could tear down the fuel filter were I worried, but I'm not.)

Unless there's a reason for believing ethanol would trigger an EVAP code, I'd sooner not discuss the pros+cons therof.
 
It is improbable that the ethanol concentration is in any way related to the P0446 DTC.

Check your canister vent hose to see if a wasp or spider decided to set up housekeeping there.

Other possibilities include a fault FTP sensor, a canister purge valve stuck open, a plugged carbon canister, and a few other odds and ends. The factory PCED has the diagnostic procedure.

Here's the list from the PCED:

Possible causes:

EVAP canister purge outlet tube (EVAP canister purge valve to EVAP canister) blockages or kinks.
EVAP canister tube (fuel tank to EVAP canister) blockages or kinks.
Fuel vapor elbow on EVAP canister contaminated.
Restricted EVAP canister.
Canister vent (CV) solenoid stuck closed (partially or fully).
Plugged or contaminated CV solenoid filter.
EVAP canister purge valve stuck open.
Fuel filler cap stuck closed (no vacuum relief).
VREF circuit open in fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor.
Damaged FTP sensor.


Steve
 
Dyoel182 said:
Not sure either. I thought everyones goal was better mileage and performance.
Click to expand...


Ethanol provides neither in a typical automobile.

Ethanol is all about a replacement for petroleum (which is a completely different rant). Nothing more, nothing less.

Steve
 
You got a still? or are you running e85. I can understand your experiment, if you are getting it for under $1 a gal if not It doesn't make much sense to me. But I like the idea of the experimenting I ran alcohol in my lawn-mower just for :censored::censored::censored::censored:s a giggles. I personally don't drink the :censored::censored::censored::censored: its like drinking gas.
 
Higher concentrations of ethanol in cars not designed to run more then 10% will decrease mileage and performance. Ethanol in itself is a good cleaner, so I would not go beyond 10%.
Basically the Ford manual shows P0446 as canister vent solenoid circuit open or shorted.
 
I'm updating this old thread because the CEL went out of its own accord (yes, I checked to see if had burned out--it hadn't).

The missing piece of info (and thanks project SHO89 for pointing in the right direction) was that, at the time the CEL came on, I was camping and thus doing a lot of dirt road driving. My suspicion is that the dirt clogged the outlet vent from the charcoal cannister, triggering the code.
 
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