ANOTHER evap code issue

flounderhead59 · May 7, 2014

My 2003 Silverado LS w/5.3 is throwing the evap code - P0446. I read through about 4 bazzilion pages of solutions on numerous web sites and the popular consensus says to use a 214-2149. The problem is the 214-2149 only has a place for 1 hose while mine, with the round canister has two hoses. One goes up to the back of the transmission where the filter box is. I’m guessing this is the retrofit to fix the original issue. If I buy the 214-2149 with the one hose fitting and don’t connect the remote filter box, with this work? I can’t find the 214-2082 for under $80 but if the 214-2149 would work for a quarter of that, I’m game. Also mine has PA-GF30 on it but all the images I can find using Google show a part with just the one hose fitting. OR, can I just buy the solenoid valve without it costing an arm and a leg? And will the connector that’s there now work on the 214-2149? I sure hope I don’t have to try and get to the charcoal canister. I’m too old and not so flexible any more.

txab · May 7, 2014

Several people with '03 have used 214-2149 with no problems

txab · May 7, 2014

Did your original part look like this?

http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-214-1091-Canister-Purge-Valve/dp/B000C9I8PS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399493945&sr=8-1&keywords=214-1091

flounderhead59 · May 7, 2014

Did your original part look like this?

http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-214-1091-Canister-Purge-Valve/dp/B000C9I8PS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399493945&sr=8-1&keywords=214-1091

Not sure what the "Original" original one looked like. The one on the truck now looks just like this. Same filter box too.

brucelimerick · May 7, 2014

The top square one is the original, the 2 piece below is the redesigned one from GM. NAPA has the part for half the cost. I used it last summer and it worked fine.

flounderhead59 · May 7, 2014

The top square one is the original, the 2 piece below is the redesigned one from GM. NAPA has the part for half the cost. I used it last summer and it worked fine.

NAPA has which part? The square or the round one?

brucelimerick · May 7, 2014

The 2 piece one. GM has discontinued the old part as it always plugged.

flounderhead59 · May 7, 2014

Not paying $164 for the thing

flounderhead59 · May 7, 2014

They have the square one for $33.69. I couldn't care less if it's the way GM wants it, I just want the check engine light off, (without resorting to removing the bulb for it).

brucelimerick · May 7, 2014

I paid somewhere around $40-44 for the 2 piece one and I also had to get some heater hose to run the filter up out of the dust. I didn't locate in the spot GM recommended because it was so stupid, hard to do and hard to replace it next time. When I took the old one off there was dirt all through everything. The new set up is much better. GM first started selling the new kit at $35 a bunch of years ago when my light first went on. Rip-offs. I was surprised how many parts that NAPA sells that used to be dealer only.

You don't want to remove the bulb. Mine is check engine light. That is a warning for many things. My mechanic said I should fix it, it had been on for a couple of years, because if something else happened that was much more important I wouldn't know about it. Once you change it you have to get someone with a reader to reset it. It is part of the emission control system and you have more steps to go through to clear the code. Something to do with tampering and emissions testing.

flounderhead59 · May 7, 2014

No, not taking the bulb out. Cheapest place I can find the 2 piece set is Amazon for $68.16. I agree that this could be blocking a serious code. Of course the truck is a 2003 and the only codes its ever thrown was this one... MANY TIMES

efritz · May 8, 2014

You know how to fix the 0446 for free? I have 250,000 miles in my 01 on the original vent valve, solenoid and canister, 5 miles of limestone gravel every day. HEAVY dust, the 0446 comes around yearly. What you do is clean out the vent valve and purge solenoid with carb cleaner and put them back in. Takes 20 minutes and is free. Then take out the canister and use compressed air to blow the dust out of it, smack it with a deadblow hammer a few times moderately to loosen up all the solidified dust and blow it out again. Reinstall. Whole process takes about 45 minutes and I have done it dozens of times on many vehicles with 100% success rate. Now this will not work if the solenoid is fried as that is an electrical problem, not too common though.

gmtech4 · May 8, 2014

if you drive on dirt roads and you have that vent code ,you better replace the canister as well,,,,its full of dirt ,,,,trust me ,,,relocate the filter to under hood to either beside the battery or under the master cylinder

flounderhead59 · May 8, 2014

Pretty sure the purge solenoid has to be replaced as I can see part of the diaphragm sticking into the spring. Kinda means it's not gonna have a good seal. Hope that will take care of it. I don't drive on dusty roads, I don't off road, and I certainly don't want to have to try and get the canister off the gas tank. Not relocating the filter to anywhere other than where GM put it as there was no dirt or anything in it when I checked it. No sense buying more heater hose. Hate to have to buy the two piece kit when I only need the one piece.

TooTall1 · May 8, 2014

I paid $22 for the 214-2149 AC Delco one delivered from Rock Auto. I used it in place of the way more expensive remote filter box one on my 2008. I've had it on for a year now with no issues. The thing that kills these is overfilling your gas tank. When you're filling your tank don't add any more gas when the nozzle clicks off. Don't try to squeeze in more or roundup to an even amount.