[Jessie]

Hello,
I have a 2006 G6 3.5L V6 with 148k and I have been having problems with starting the car. It hesitates and will die and if it doesn't die then it idles really rough like it wants to die. If I start it and give it some gas to rev the engine then it will stay on. It runs just fine once I do get it started. Recently my check engine light came on and I had it tested and came back with a P0449 code, Evap vent solenoid? Could this be causing the issues with my car starting?

We also just recently put new plugs and wires in.

Anyone ever have this issue? Looking for some answers and hopefully this isn't going to cost me an arm and a leg to have fixed.
Thanks in advance!

 

[theshibbykumquat]

Replace the purge solenoid, its pretty common

 

[Jessie]

So what is the difference in the purge solenoid and vent solenoid? And how would I test or know the right one to replace? Also, could this be causing my problems with starting the car?

 

[greenman]

449 is for a problem with the evap vent solenoid valve (OR it's circuit---but usually it's just a bad (stuck) vent solenoid valve). it's located above the fuel tank. U need to drop the tank for access. a 449 would not cause hard starts. got any other codes?

Dwayne explains it much better (though using a diff GM vehicle):

 

[theshibbykumquat]

449 is for a problem with the evap vent solenoid valve (OR it's circuit---but usually it's just a bad (stuck) vent solenoid valve). it's located above the fuel tank. U need to drop the tank for access. a 449 would not cause hard starts. got any other codes?

Thanks for catching me, that was just off the top of my head before. To the OP, problems with the vent not the purge as I said earlier

 

[Jessie]

Very informative video, thank you! I don't have any other codes, that was the only one they diagnosed with the check engine light.
We have no other ideas what could be causing the engine not to catch when starting.
Going to order a new vent solenoid tomorrow and get that fixed.

 

[greenman]

got any more details on the hard starts?
cold engine or hot?
consistent or intermittent?
I'm assuming the hard starts preceded the 449. Is that true?
& you're absolutely positive 449 was the code they gave you?

 

[Jessie]

Hard start mainly happens when the engine is cold but has also done it after being hot. It's been consistent for a week. We changed the plugs and wires bc they were due and thinking that would help, but didn't. Also had an oil change. When I turn the key it acts like its going to start fine, then it starts sputtering and trying to idle and at one time it knocked and them shut off. It will only run if I give it gas when I turn the key and rev it up. After I do finally get it started it idles fine and runs fine. It's just the initial start up. My husband thought it may have something to do with my fuel pump or fuel pressure, bc I'm having to give it has to make it want to start.

Hard starts did start around the time of the check engine light and have gotten worse since. 449 was the only code O'Reillys got when they ran the scan.

 

[greenman]

I'd start by replacing the vent solenoid & then having the MAF sensor & throttle body cleaned (that's referred to as an air induction cleaning-there's lots of info online if u want to DIY) if that hasn't been done lately.

 

[Jessie]

I'd start by replacing the vent solenoid & then having the MAF sensor & throttle body cleaned (that's referred to as an air induction cleaning-there's lots of info online if u want to DIY) if that hasn't been done lately.

Going to give that a shot this week and will let you know how it turns out! We've never had the throttle body or MAF cleaned, so hopefully that helps. Anyone personally changed a vent solenoid on the G6, and can tell me if its going to be a big pain? And if you had to lower the fuel tank?

 

[greenman]

Anyone personally changed a vent solenoid on the G6, and can tell me if its going to be a big pain? And if you had to lower the fuel tank?

it's not really something I'd recommend to a novice but I've no idea what ur skill set is. if u can find a way to swap it out without dropping the tank about a foot, please let us all know.

 

[Jessie]

it's not really something I'd recommend to a novice but I've no idea what ur skill set is. if u can find a way to swap it out without dropping the tank about a foot, please let us all know.

Not something I'm going to do! My husband and father in law are really good at all the mechanic stuff. We got the new vent solenoid today, so they'll be putting it in this weekend.
Thanks again for all the helpful advice, much appreciated.

 

[Jessie]

So, we had the vent solenoid replaced today and after it was finished the car started right up. Drive it home, turned it off, waited a few minutes and tried to start it again and it's doing the same thing. Sputtering and struggling to start, then dying and won't start unless you apply the gas. So frustrating!

 

[Jessie]

Ok we just cleaned the throttle body and MAF and it worked! So far at least!

 

[greenman]

So, we had the vent solenoid replaced today and after it was finished the car started right up. Drive it home, turned it off, waited a few minutes and tried to start it again and it's doing the same thing. Sputtering and struggling to start, then dying and won't start unless you apply the gas. So frustrating!

I wouldn't have expected that to change your hard start condition. You have two distinct issues.

 

[greenman]

Ok we just cleaned the throttle body and MAF and it worked! So far at least!

I hope it was that easy. Time will tell.

 

[Jessie]

I wouldn't have expected that to change your hard start condition. You have two distinct issues.

Correct. We realize that now. Thankfully both issues are fixed!
Thanks again for all your input.

 

[Wtyler]

Correct. We realize that now. Thankfully both issues are fixed! Thanks again for all your input.

Hey so I'm running into the issues with my g6 years later what seems to fix it ? The MAF sensor/throttle body be "clean" or "replaced". Or was it the evap solenoid too.? That both caused the issues