what does evaporative emission system purge flow mean?
It probably means you had a check engine light come on, and drove to auto zone to have them scan it instead of going to see your mechanic, and the problem code P0441 or P0455 came up. Am I right so far? It means something in the smog control system is leaking. You have lines that bring vapors from the tank to a charcoal cylinder rather than put them in the air, and when the engine is started those trapped vapors and taken into the intake and burned to keep the air cleaner. Somewhere in that system you have a leak. Assuming the error code is P0455, the usual fix is: Remove and reinstall the gas cap, clear the codes, and drive for a day and see if the codes come back. Otherwise, replace the gas cap, and/or Inspect the EVAP system for cuts/holes in tubes/hoses (you may hear a vacuum noise or smell fuel), repair if necessary If it's the P0441 code, it's a bit more complicated. Here are some things to try: Common Chrysler fix - Replace Leak Detection Pump / LDP Repair damaged EVAP lines or canister Repair open or short in voltage feed circuit to Purge Solenoid Repair open in PCM purge command circuit Replace purge Solenoid Replace vacuum switch Repair restriction in Evap line or canister or solenoid Repair resistance in purge connector Replace PCM If you aren't comfortable with that, see your mechanic instead.
bandit is partly right , the fumes are stored in a canister and occasionally they are drawn in and burnt , hence the term purge .
it draws the fumes from your tank and burns it over again.
