P0446 / P0452 - Bad fuel issues, need advice.

[Need4Camaro]

I'm going to tell you my problem first then I'll tell you the story behind it.

My car for the past month has been throwing an SES code for P0446 and P0452.

First question for you guys... What do these codes mean?

First off, this isnt the first time I got the P0446 code and I replaced the gas cap twice and it did not help. When I purchased my car, I heard the fuel pump whining LOUD and I already knew it was about to quit and told the dealer, so the dealer told me he would cover it at no cost under his warranty should it ever fail. He probably wasn't expecting it to fail, but it failed within 2 days of purchasing the car, leaving me stuck in Downtown Atlanta.

I was eventually able to get it home (unvandalised) and sent it to the dealer under the premise of his warranty. They took it in and started repairs without question. Two weeks pass and I'm still without my car and I call them up and ask them what the hell is taking so long. They tell me, they put a used pump in there and they couldn't get it to crank and are ordering a new pump for it. So I waited an extra week and the work was done, 3 weeks without a car and I still have to pay the car note =\ ... Well It drives fine BUT I could still hear it whining in the back while Im driving almost all the time, but it wasn't as loud and it doesn't shut off and leave me stranded so I decide, well thats cool. About a month later she throws an SES, the P0446 code. I was told it was likely a bad fuel cap. Replaced it, didn't work. Just to make sure I replaced it again. Still no avail. So I take it back to the dealer and they tell me I had a bad fuel line. They fix it at no cost once again and the SES goes away.

I drive for about 2 - 3 months like this and then one hot summer day the car was REEKING of gasoline. No SES though. Weeks later the SES returns, with the P0446, AutoZone believes its a bad gas cap, tightens it, and clears the code. 2 days later its back, this time with a new code... P0452. Now I'm pissed my car has been down for a combined period of a month and a half and this is a recurring problem. I can smell gas sometimes, and my fuel pump still whines. Autozone told me P0452 is a defective pressure sensor code, what is that? P0446 is supposedly a faulty purge vent or opening in the system. Its been like this for awhile.

I am on the verge of paying this car off. They want $7,500 for it but if I keep it with the problems it has, I want to talk them down to $5,000 because this means someone is going to have to remove the rear axel.

I'm not sure what to do about this problem... Can it be possible that I have a bad fuel pump?

What are these circuits its talking about?

[cam98aro]

Re: P0446 / P0452 - Bad fuel issues, need advice.

i have no idea why, but i have a feeling it is a bad evap cannister, the OBD just thinks it is a bad gas cap

[Need4Camaro]

Re: P0446 / P0452 - Bad fuel issues, need advice.

i have no idea why, but i have a feeling it is a bad evap cannister, the OBD just thinks it is a bad gas cap

Is that in the engine bay or fuel tank? I know the canister is right behind the throttle body and above the EGR on my car. I also want to state that the fuel hose that goes into it does NOT have any clamp on it to secure it. Is this normal?

As far as installing it, is there any fuel pressure I have to release before pulling the old one off?

[Fondle]

Re: P0446 / P0452 - Bad fuel issues, need advice.

p0446 is evap vent solenoid valve, p0452 is fuel tank pressure sensor low voltage

[Need4Camaro]

Re: P0446 / P0452 - Bad fuel issues, need advice.

p0446 is evap vent solenoid valve, p0452 is fuel tank pressure sensor low voltage

Are they both related? I know they're both fuel issues but the tank pressure low sensor, can that be because the evap vent unit?

[timthescarred]

Re: P0446 / P0452 - Bad fuel issues, need advice.

The fuel system is fully closed, all excess fumes are captured by the EGR/PCV system sent through the evap canister, and returned into the tank.

The p0452 says there is a leak in the system causing pressure to be low. This is why people were telling you to change the gas cap. The seal around it will cause an airleak if it is cracked or broken.

The fact that you can smell gasoline means there is a definite leak. Probably somewhere in the recirculation system where the gas is in a fume state.

Check the evap canister for cracks or loose connections. check all of the return lines for any signs of wear or cracking. make sure all the connections are tight.

You didn't say exactly what the car is 3.4l or 3.8l, that would be helpful.

The fuel lines use a linear lock that requires a disconnect tool to remove, these are relatively cheap at any auto parts stores, but are individual per the size of the line, or you can get a multi-size set. the lines push together and there are rubber dust-shields that hide the connector, so no you will not see a clamp. Push together on the lines and listen for a click, if it moves a little and then stops with no click, it was already connected. Then pull apart without using the tool, if it slides apart you have a bad connector. The lines will have a small amount of play sliding back and forth. There are small o-rings on the fuel lines that seal them together once snapped in place. Over time o-rings can become damaged, dried-out, or cracked and cause leaks, so visually inspect the o-rings as well.

Hope this helps

[Need4Camaro]

Re: P0446 / P0452 - Bad fuel issues, need advice.

The fuel system is fully closed, all excess fumes are captured by the EGR/PCV system sent through the evap canister, and returned into the tank.

The p0452 says there is a leak in the system causing pressure to be low. This is why people were telling you to change the gas cap. The seal around it will cause an airleak if it is cracked or broken.

The fact that you can smell gasoline means there is a definite leak. Probably somewhere in the recirculation system where the gas is in a fume state.

Check the evap canister for cracks or loose connections. check all of the return lines for any signs of wear or cracking. make sure all the connections are tight.

You didn't say exactly what the car is 3.4l or 3.8l, that would be helpful.

The fuel lines use a linear lock that requires a disconnect tool to remove, these are relatively cheap at any auto parts stores, but are individual per the size of the line, or you can get a multi-size set. the lines push together and there are rubber dust-shields that hide the connector, so no you will not see a clamp. Push together on the lines and listen for a click, if it moves a little and then stops with no click, it was already connected. Then pull apart without using the tool, if it slides apart you have a bad connector. The lines will have a small amount of play sliding back and forth. There are small o-rings on the fuel lines that seal them together once snapped in place. Over time o-rings can become damaged, dried-out, or cracked and cause leaks, so visually inspect the o-rings as well.

Hope this helps

In other words for my sake of sanity and time, send it to a mechanic