What is a purge valve?

A purge valve is typically found in a vehicle's evaporative emissions control system. Its main function is to release stored fuel vapors from the fuel tank into the engine intake manifold to be burned during the combustion process. This helps to reduce harmful emissions and improve overall fuel efficiency.

The purge valve is controlled by the engine's computer and is usually closed when the engine is off to prevent fuel vapors from escaping. When the engine is running, the purge valve opens to allow the vapors to be sucked into the engine and burned along with the air-fuel mixture.

If the purge valve fails or becomes clogged, it can cause a variety of issues such as rough idling, decreased fuel efficiency, and increased emissions. It is important to have the purge valve inspected and replaced if necessary to ensure proper engine performance and emissions control.