Questions and Answers

Ford Windstar EVAP System Problems Q. Hello, Recently my 1999 Ford Windstar Lx, 3.8 liter engine, and automatic transmission, Check Engine Light went on and I am hearing a groaning type noise and hearing pressure from the gas tank. I changed the gas cap and it continued. I brought it to a mechanic who told me it was the EVAP system and reset the engine in the computer.

I drove the auto again for approximately 50 miles and now the same type of noise and pressure is coming from the gas tank. When I turn the auto off and open the gas tank there is a release of air pressure. Can you advise?

Thank you,
Bill

A. The exact code you got would have been very helpful to me in coming up with possibilities. Are you sure it is pressure pushing out, or vacuum sucking in? That makes a big difference.

About all I can tell you at this point is it does seem to have a malfunction in the Evaporative Emissions System (EVAP) and all I can suggest is to try a fuel cap from a Ford dealer. I had someone last week had a similar problem, replaced the fuel cap and still had the problem. He got a fuel cap from Ford and that corrected the problem.