P0496: EVAP system high purge flow
The engine draws vapour from the tank when it should not, nearly always because the purge valve is stuck open. Starting after refuelling may suffer.
| Code | P0496 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P04xx, Emissions control |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
| Can you keep driving? | With care |
What P0496 means
The purge valve should only open at certain times so the engine burns the vapour stored in the canister. The ECU sees more vacuum or vapour flowing than expected, even when the valve is told to close. Most often the valve is stuck open.
Most common causes
- Purge valve stuck open or not closing fully
- Purge valve hoses swapped over after a repair
- Canister soaked with fuel from topping up past the pump’s first click-off
- EVAP pressure sensor giving a false reading
Symptoms
- Hard starting straight after refuelling
- Rough idle or stalling when cold
- Engine warning light on
- Sometimes a smell of petrol
Can you drive with P0496?
With care You can drive, but the idle may suffer and the canister can be ruined if liquid fuel gets in. Get it fixed soon and stop filling up after the first click.
How to check it
With the engine off, disconnect the purge valve hose on the engine side and blow through it: with no power to the valve, no air should pass. And stop filling the tank when the pump first clicks off.
How to read and clear P0496 with Final OBD
Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0496 with this same explanation and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.
With Free you read this code with its short description for nothing, and clear it if the engine stores it over standard OBD. With Pro you get the full explanation, how the car was running when it was logged (revs, temperature, load) and clearing in every control unit.
Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before the ITV. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in the ITV and OBD.
Similar codes
- P0480 Cooling fan 1 control circuit malfunction
- P0481 Cooling fan 2 control circuit malfunction
- P0491 Secondary air injection system insufficient flow (bank 1)
- P0492 Secondary air injection system insufficient flow (bank 2)
- P0497 EVAP system low purge flow
- P0400 Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow malfunction
- P0401 Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow insufficient
- P0402 Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow excessive
- P0403 EGR control circuit malfunction
P0496 is a generic code, so it means the same on any make, for example on Citroën, Ford, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Volvo. See what Final OBD does on your car in makes and models.
What does code P0496 mean?
The purge valve should only open at certain times so the engine burns the vapour stored in the canister. The ECU sees more vacuum or vapour flowing than expected, even when the valve is told to close. Most often the valve is stuck open.
Can you drive with P0496?
You can drive, but the idle may suffer and the canister can be ruined if liquid fuel gets in. Get it fixed soon and stop filling up after the first click.
How do you clear P0496?
With an OBD2 scanner and an app like Final OBD, which clears it for free if it’s stored by the engine control unit. But clearing it only turns the light off: if the cause isn’t fixed, P0496 comes back.
Read it on your car
Final OBD reads the faults of every control unit for free, including each make’s own codes, and with Pro explains each one in plain English. Free clears engine faults at no cost.
Coming soon
Mid to late October 2026
If you want to try it in your car before anyone else, send us your email and we will add you as a tester.
info@finalobd.com