Evaporative fuel-processing system for internal combustion engines

Abstract

An evaporative fuel-processing system for an internal combustion engine includes a canister for adsorbing evaporative fuel generated in the fuel tank, a charging passage connecting between the canister and the fuel tank, a purging passage connecting between the canister and the intake system of the engine, an open-to-atmosphere passage for communicating the canister with atmosphere, a charge control valve for selectively opening and closing the charging passage, a purge control valve for selectively opening and closing the purging passage, and a vent shut valve for selectively opening and closing the open-to-atmosphere valve, and a pressure sensor inserted in the charging passage at a location on one side of the charge control valve closer to the fuel tank, for detecting internal pressure within the charging passage. When predetermined conditions are satisfied, the purge control valve is closed and the charge control valve and the vent shut valve are opened. It is determined that the vent shut valve is abnormal when the internal pressure detected by the pressure sensor is below a predetermined negative pressure value while the purge control valve, the charge control valve, and the vent shut valve are in the above respective states.