Symptoms

- Engine Light ON (or Service Engine Soon Warning Light) - Possible a noticeable fuel odor caused by the release of fuel vapors

Possible Causes

- Missing fuel filler cap - Incorrect fuel filler cap used - Fuel filler cap remains open or fails to close - Foreign matter caught in fuel filler cap

When Detected

EVAP control system has a very large leak such as fuel filler cap fell off, EVAP control system does not operate properly.

Tech Notes

It is a very common problem with Ford vehicles. There are service bulletins for the following vehciles: 1997-2000 Ford CONTOUR 1997-2002 Ford ESCORT 1997-2003 Ford CROWN VICTORIA, MUSTANG, TAURUS 1998-2003 Ford ESCORT ZX2 2000-2003 Ford FOCUS 2002-2003 Ford THUNDERBIRD 1997 F-250 Ford HD 1997-1999 Ford Ford F-250 LD 1997-2003 Ford E SERIES, EXPEDITION, EXPLORER, F-150, RANGER, WINDSTAR 1999-2003 Ford F SUPER DUTY 2000-2003 Ford EXCURSION 2001-2003 Ford ESCAPE, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, EXPLORER SPORT Ford Bulletin

Description

Vehicles that meet enhanced evaporative requirements utilize a vacuum-based evaporative system integrity check. The evap system integrity check uses a Fuel Tank Pressure Transducer (FTPT), a Canister Vent Solenoid (CVS) and Fuel Level Input (FLI) along with the Vapor Management Valve (VMV) or Electric Vapor Management Valve (EVMV) to find 0.040� diameter or larger evap system leaks. Federal vehicles can utilize a 0.040" leak check rather than the 0.020" leak check required for California vehicles.