2008 V5.3 Flex VIN 3G.

So I had a P0449 error and I replaced my vent valve solenoid - easy enough, code cleared. Except now I can't fuel the vehicle.

A couple of things: First, I never had a problem fueling.

Second, the new solenoid is somewhat different than the original. The original vent went up to the fuel filler neck. This new new solenoid has a 'snorkel' system. The hose terminates in a small box with a filter. I know I'm supposed to mount it up by the transmission, but the hose is way too short for that. I ran the new up along side the fill pipe (right next to the old pipe) and loosely zip-tied it to the fill pipe.

I assume the new solenoid is working correctly because the no new codes have popped up.

Thanks for any help,
JT

 

Disconnect the vent Solenoid fron the canister as see if you can fuel up,

if you can, either the new solenoid is stuck closed or the filter or inlet air hose is clogged.

 

I considered that, but I wasn't sure if I could drive with the hose off. The shop I'm working in is in the country. The nearest gas station would be about ten miles away(two of the miles are gravel), so it would be twenty miles without a hose on the canister. Any chance of it filling up with dirt in that short amount of time?

I'm too big (fat) to crawl under at the gas station to pull the hose. I need to jack it up for access.

Thanks for the reply,
JT

 

fill it with a 5 gallon gas container.

 

Um..yeah. Brain freeze on my part.

 

Thanks Tech2! You rock!

There was a kink in the pre-formed plastic hose that runs from the charcoal canister to the solenoid. When I installed the new solenoid I tried to run the hose to the canister the same way as the old one. The old hose went over the two evaporator lines, whereas the new modified hose runs under the lines. When I tried to force it to go over the top the hose kinked above the canister.

Thanks again. I owe you a beer. However it's really not worth it to come to Iowa for a beer - or anything else.

JT

 

good job finding restriction.

 

I wish I had fixed it - I will go anywhere for a beer! (at least for a nice IPA)

 

roadtrip! swing by and pick me up.... i'm in Alberta.