Been battling this for a few years. 1999 Corolla CE, 161k on it. Check engine light will come on and stay lit. Changed the carbon cannister and purge valve, disconnected/reconnected battery, CEL goes out. Every now and then when the weather is hot the engine will die upon turning or after idling, in PARK or DRIVE. The last 2 days this smell has been coming through the a/c vent, but it has happened before. Pretty sure it only happens in the spring/summertime.
Just changed the oil and all the fuids are good. Car doesn't smoke or overheat, but makes a sort of rattle sound sometimes upon acceleration. Otherwise, it runs great.
Could you describe the odor? Is it a fuel/oil odor, mold/mildew, or burning wire/electrical/ozone sort of odor?
P0446 and other EVAP related codes can be tough to track down, did you have the car "smoke" tested before you replaced all those parts. Smoke test - technician will use a probe to "sniff" the EVAP system, looking for leaks, the test usually add a visible tracer to indicate areas that are leaking or clogged, hence the "smoke" notation.
Also, if you are in the habit of topping off the tank after the pump auto-clicks off, definitely try and avoid doing so in the future. The vapor canister and related components are in an area that is easily hit by road debris and this generation of Corolla can flood the vapor canister with raw fuel if you pump past the auto-shutoff point.
Could you describe the odor? Is it a fuel/oil odor, mold/mildew, or burning wire/electrical/ozone sort of odor?
P0446 and other EVAP related codes can be tough to track down, did you have the car "smoke" tested before you replaced all those parts. Smoke test - technician will use a probe to "sniff" the EVAP system, looking for leaks, the test usually add a visible tracer to indicate areas that are leaking or clogged, hence the "smoke" notation.
Also, if you are in the habit of topping off the tank after the pump auto-clicks off, definitely try and avoid doing so in the future. The vapor canister and related components are in an area that is easily hit by road debris and this generation of Corolla can flood the vapor canister with raw fuel if you pump past the auto-shutoff point.
The odor smells sort of like a rich FORD exhaust. I seem to remember a similar odor when I installed the cannister. My wife used to drive this car and I always warned her about slowing the pump down before the filler tank filled and soaked the cannister, causing the CEL to come on and throw a code. It will pass emissions tests with flying colors as long as the CEL is off. Toyota has been through this car a few times and never found a problem, but I really can't say much for their "mechanics." One of their star mechanics left marijuana in the change holder.
I went over (and under) the car again, and my best guess is that the fumes are coming through the body somewhere and being recirculated through the a/c. But the question is still why? Must be a cracked hose or something I can't see. And why does it stall occasionally?
OK, I understand the odor now. The A/C system can pickup odors pretty easily, especially if they are under the car. Couple of possible areas that could be the source of the odor - two vents/valves at the top of the gas tank. I've had my cut-off valve crack on me before - took awhile to find the leak, I watched a tech spend a good couple of hours working over every inch of the EVAP system before he found the leak.
The hoses running into the top of the tank and attach to the gasoline filler tube (vent tubes) are also prone to leak. Sometimes the vent tube can get completely clogged by debris, including spiders (some species are attracted to the odor of gasoline).
Could also have an exhaust leak as well. Two gaskets in particular tend to deteriorate on this generation of Corolla - the one between the exhaust manifold and front pipe (spring bolts there) and the one between the front pipe and catalytic converter can go as well (wrap around clamp that goes over that "bump" down there). This wouldn't cause the P0446 CEL, but could be part of the odor you are picking up.
I've had the p0446 code for the past 2 years, i also have the same odor problem... does the odor make you dizzy sometimes while your driving? I've also had the same problem where when i crank the car, it would just die, the only way to keep it alive is to rev the engine for about 30 seconds and then it will stay on...
I've had the p0446 code for the past 2 years, i also have the same odor problem... does the odor make you dizzy sometimes while your driving? I've also had the same problem where when i crank the car, it would just die, the only way to keep it alive is to rev the engine for about 30 seconds and then it will stay on...
I still havent found a solution yet...
No, and not the same. The odor is just an odor - smells like the carbon cannister, not sulfur nor gas. Never got high or got a headache from it, but was able to blame my carpool buddy for eating pickled eggs. You'd know the smell if you've ever changed one out ($300-something). The stalling problem only happens occasionally after it's been running about 10-20 miles, or sitting at a drive-thru, but only when it's hot, and I think it has happened with the a/c off a couple times. I have discussed this with a few people that never found the cure before they traded "up." Same situation, their cars ran fine otherwise. Some were modified. All different climates.
Haven't smelled the smell since I posted this thread. I did my usual battery and gas cap reset procedure today and now the CEL is asleep. Should run alot better too. I pulled the rear seat cushion and sealed the cover plate for the fuel pump (scraped some old, melted starburst candy out too). Probably should have changed the filter first. Nothing smelled like gas or the cannister fumes, no cracked vent hose. I'll jack the rear this weekend and try to remove the EGR plumbing. I'll take a closer look at the exhaust line too. I might just seal the entire trunk and spare tire well with fiberglass, since I'm putting a little 1200w sound reinforcement in to compliment the delicious OEM paper speakers anyway.
I've said it before with my other cars: by the time I get done replacing parts she'll be new again!
My CEL threw the PO446 error code after filling my tank above the "automated shut-off" on the 4th. I had a diagnostics test ran, and came back as "Open or short circuit condition/Poor Electrical connection/Faulty CCV vent control solenoid". I saw that and was ... I bought my Corolla about three weeks ago, and I have knowledge that some parts are only dealer available, and they are not cheap. The "mechanic" said to take it to a dealership for further diagnostics. I read on here before becoming a member, that 1) you over filled the tank 2) gas cap/o-ring might need to be replaced is usually the problem when you get the PO446 code. I haven't checked too much into it, but need to. Also I get an odd smell from time to time with my a/c and heater for a few minuets, and then the smell is gone. I've noticed that when the car is warmed up, and sometimes also at cold it wants to stall at a dead stop and go. I know these are common problems, but is there any real fix for them?
I know these are common problems, but is there any real fix for them?
I've been asking this for the last 5 years!
Don't buy the EVAP parts like I did; the purge valve was shot, but the cannister was good and buying these didn't help the problem. I could sell you the old one if you'd like to try it.
My car tried to stall out yesterday, and I could smell the odor outside when this happened. So sealing the fuel pump shield (which is supposed to be screwed in place but never was) seems to work for keeping the odor out of the a/c. The car still runs fine otherwise, and the CEL hasn't come on. I haven't gotten time to inspect the EVAP pipes thoroughly yet.
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You'd know the smell if you've ever changed one out ($300-something). The stalling problem only happens occasionally after it's been running about 10-20 miles, or sitting at a drive-thru, but only when it's hot, and I think it has happened with the a/c off a couple times. I have discussed this with a few people that never found the cure before they traded "up." Same situation, their cars ran fine otherwise. Some were modified. All different climates.
... I bought my Corolla about three weeks ago, and I have knowledge that some parts are only dealer available, and they are not cheap. The "mechanic" said to take it to a dealership for further diagnostics. I read on here before becoming a member, that 1) you over filled the tank 2) gas cap/o-ring might need to be replaced is usually the problem when you get the PO446 code. I haven't checked too much into it, but need to. Also I get an odd smell from time to time with my a/c and heater for a few minuets, and then the smell is gone. I've noticed that when the car is warmed up, and sometimes also at cold it wants to stall at a dead stop and go. I know these are common problems, but is there any real fix for them?
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