Thread: P0446 Impacts / Suggestions

Hey,

New to the forum and I'm wondering if someone can explain the consequences of an unrepaired P0446 obd code in layman's terms? I'm driving a 2005 grand prix, base model, that's in great shape, but at this point I'd rather not invest $300-$500 more in to the car because the mileage is getting up there and I'm wondering what the impact of ignoring this code is? I believe the code is P0446 Evap Vent Valve Performence.

I have an ODB2 reader that I hook up to and read/clear the code (it's frigging cold here in NB so I want the remote starter to work) and I'm really only trying to get another 18 months out of the car since at that point I'll need new summer/winter tires. I don't have a mechanic I can trust around here so I'm left at the mercy of many of the major dealerships and that's going to cost me an arm and a leg. Also worth noting that I doubt it is the gas cap since that's been replace over the last few years and also had a new battery two years ago that is testing fine.

Also, I won't say I'm a pro or even novice by any means, but I'm also fully capable of following an instructional youtube video if there's anything anyone can suggest?

Thanks!

if it was me, I would use my tuner to disable all the evap codes and I would unplug the evap purge solenoid in the engine bay so it doesn't try to work. I did that on my car because the evap was causing issues when I was trying to tune the car. After I did that, the tuning issues went away. However, if you have to pass an inspection for emissions, it might not pass. if you don't have a tuner, you could pick up a spare pcm and send it to Will at http://www.getoverkilled.ca/ and have him tune the codes to no report, and then get his performance tune at the same time for a more lively driving experience. Since he is in Canada like you, shipping wont be as expensive.

Actually, it came back this morning and the code was Evaporative Emission (EVAP) Vent System Performance if that makes any difference?

No I don't find it to be very simple ... does it affect my gas mileage or any long term affect other than emitting too much pollution? That's what I'm trying to understand. Can this hurt my car and if so in what way?

Sigh, I hate that nobody actually answers my question but rather poses new questions about why not fixing the car. I've asked a simple question about the long-term impacts to the car and apparently nobody can answer that straight.

I've received quotes and they're not telling me $30 ... they're saying $75 to run the OBD codes, $100-$200 in labour minimum and then parts. So you make THINK it's a $30 fix, but unless you can provide me with a youtube video (which is what I asked for at the beginning if you read the original post) then I'd fix it myself, otherwise you'd know that taking something to a shop will NEVER cost just $30 if you even think about the labour charge.

I disabled my evap last spring, so I wouldn't bother fixing it. only real issue you might have is the loss of a few mpg.

Thank you Sgt Marshall/Bronco Boy ... that's the answer I was looking for to determine if the car will last the 18 months before I replace it.

As for Scotty Doggs I do fix small things on the car myself, replaced headlamps, all the filters, oil changes, etc. and clearly you can't read because:

1) As I've said the in the original post I only want 18 months out of the car and then I'm getting a new one. So you're right, I'm only interested in keeping on driving it, but that's because I'm just waiting to wear out the tires and other things. Why? Because the car is 11 years old, but by that point will be 13 and have 200K Km and I'm only doing city driving these days and I'll replace it with something smaller and more efficient (also the wife and I just bought a house and are trying to have a baby so we're watching the budget at the moment).

2) Again, if you could clean the crap out of your eyes and read the original post I specifically said I'm no pro, but if someone can point me to a youtube video that I could follow that and fix the issue if it isn't that complicated. Since you're an expert, where's your video or instructions? Or have you ever changed a tire before or do you just call AAA?

So again, ScottyDogg if you'd learn to read and clean the grease out of your eyes you'd have seen the garbage you were spewing was exactly what I asked for in the very first place you moron.

he's from Canada

"im telling you is its likely a 30 dollar part, but you dont care. nor do you want to even try to fix it......your the problem with america these days you know that RIGHT?"

Again now twice I've asked you for HELP or INSTRUCTION on how I can fix it but you seem to ignore those comments or can't read them:

My original post said "Also, I won't say I'm a pro or even novice by any means, but I'm also fully capable of following an instructional youtube video if there's anything anyone can suggest?" while my post directly to you said "2) Again, if you could clean the crap out of your eyes and read the original post I specifically said I'm no pro, but if someone can point me to a youtube video that I could follow that and fix the issue if it isn't that complicated. Since you're an expert, where's your video or instructions?".

So yea, I'm interested in fixing it, but even though I've requested help twice, you're just going off and ignoring the original request. So don't tell me I'm not interested in fixing it when I've clearly shown that twice, even after you took the first shot at me, that I'm STILL interested in fixing it myself, but as I've said I'm not a pro so I need help but nobody has offered it.

So the real problem with America is they can't diagnose read when someone says "Can you give me a youtube video since I don't know how to do it because it's totally outside of my area of expertise" and rather than provide the help they have to go off on a tangent that wasn't necessary.

if you can't figure out that the code P0446 means to change the vent valve, no one is going to be able to help you