Galgasan

Greetings!

2010 E350 here.

Check engine light came on, the code was P0496: EVAP Flow During Non-Purge Condition.

From research, it could be the gas cap not fitting tightly, or the purge valve needing to be replaced. I checked my gas cap and it didn't seem to click the way it used to. I can get one in a few days for $30. But if it's the purge valve, that's a new territory of installation for me, and the part is about $65.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Or and thoughts to share?

Thank you in advance!

akaveli3

It should be the gas cap that wasn't tightened all the way. A gas attendant pumped gas in my car back in December and didn't fully tighten it. Same code popped up on my cheap code reader. I goggled the code and one the easiest fixes was the cap amongst the possibilities for code. I tightened the cap again and reset the code and it hasn't popped up since.

Galgasan

Thanks for this suggestion! I ordered a cap from Amazon and will be arriving Monday. Will give this a shot and see if the code/engine light goes away.

lakepop

Did you overfill when pumping gas ? Trying to to top off will trigger a check engine light

Galgasan

I don't believe so. When you turn the gas cap, it would usually tighten and then click, with a solid feel. When I performed the same actions now, it didn't feel that it could close as tightly as usual.

Galgasan

My replacement gas cap came today. When I was trying to pry off the leash holder on the original gas cap, a part snapped off, so the leash on my new cap doesn't have a spot to connect anymore. Bummer! I did quick research and read that it just pries off, I guess I was wrong.

It's still throwing code 0496. I attempted to clear the code via the Torque app through my bluetooth ODBII reader, but the CEL and code are still present.

I've read it takes several to tens of engine cycles for it to clear, if it's truly a gas cap problem. Otherwise, it will be a purge valve issue...

cetialpha5

When mine wasn't tight and threw a code, tightening it and clearing the code worked. It didn't come back, no waiting.

Galgasan

Roger that... that's good to know. Did the CEL really clear the next time you started the engine? I'm thinking to take the E350 into the dealer if it persists, so they can fix the purge valve. Unless anyone has experience replacing that!

cetialpha5

Yes. It shut off right away. Gas cap wasn't on tight. I tightened it and then cleared the code with my code reader and it didn't come back after I started the car. If you're clearing the code and it's coming back, it's probably not the gas cap.

Galgasan

Took it to the "stealership" and they had a $99 diagnostic fee plus $600 parts/installation once they confirmed it was the purge valve.

Somehow, the bill came out to be $398 total, so got a little ripped, but not as bad as it could have been!

They detected $1200 worth of optional repairs:
Motor Mount: 3 mounts $991.00
Camshaft Oil Seal: Rear centrifuge cover $207.80

Getting a little worried at the thought of the maintenance cost. I was hoping I could do Service A&B religiously and get by to 160k miles or so. I'm just past 80k and they keep finding $500-$800 worth of opportunities every other service!

cetialpha5

Those mounts are probably in the $135 range each from MB, but there are aftermarket ones that are in the $60-70 range each plus about the same for the transmission mount. There's nothing fancy about doing them that you need the MB mechanic to do it, nothing to do with Star or anything, any indy should be able to do it. The rear cover is in the $50-$60 range plus a little labor to replace it. To a certain extent those are somewhat standard maintenance items. I suppose you already did the transmission, differential and transaxle fluid change?

Galgasan

Had the fluid changes done at 80k at the same time as my Service B.

Thanks for giving me an idea of what to expect for those other two maintenance items. You'll probably save me big! The MB Dealership guys said that those 2 leaks were "suggested" items for the near future. In my mind that equated to 90k service. But if you have any thoughts on how soon to take care of small leaks like that, I'm open to hearing it.

Thanks again, you've been really helpful.