P144C On Ford vehicles, the EVAP purge check valve or vapor ejector path is not performing

Evaporative Emission System Purge Check Valve Performance (Ford)

Monitor

P144C is an evaporative emissions fault. Ford bulletins treat it as a check engine light condition fixed with a purge line or valve repair. However some owners report stalling with the code, so it should not be ignored.

It gets more serious if:

  • Inspect soon: Get it checked soon if the engine stalls, hesitates or idles rough, or fuelling is slow. Owners have reported stalling with P144C, and Ford's 2017 Escape and MKC bulletin lists a rough idle and slow fuel fill.

Source: how we rate severity

P144C in short

On Ford vehicles, P144C means the EVAP purge check valve path failed its test: the computer saw fuel tank pressure rise more than expected. Ford bulletins trace it to a blocked or backwards vapor ejector, a loose evaporative hose, or a faulty canister purge valve. Usually drivable, but get it checked if the engine stalls.

Many turbocharged Ford engines use a vapor ejector and a check valve so the purge system can still pull fuel vapor into the intake when the engine is boosted. The computer tests this path about once per drive cycle at minimal boost.

P144C sets when fuel tank pressure rises past a set amount during that test, which suggests the valve, ejector or lines are not working as intended. A blocked purge port, a loose connection, a stuck check valve or a faulty canister purge valve can all do it.

Ford has issued several bulletins for the code across Escape, Explorer, F-150, Expedition and Mustang models, usually for a connection, a blocked port or a part that needs replacing, and in some cases a software calibration.

Pick your make

P144C is a manufacturer-specific code: its meaning depends on who built the car.

Other makes: meaning not verified. Check with a scan tool that reads manufacturer definitions.

Most likely causes

  1. Faulty or sticking canister purge valve

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Owners in two NHTSA complaints had the canister purge valve replaced for P144C, and Ford's 2013 Escape bulletin lists the purge valve assembly as one of two parts to replace.
    What would change this
    Rises if the purge valve leaks when closed or does not open when tested. Falls if the valve holds vacuum and opens on command.
    How to test the evap canister purge valve

  2. Vapor ejector installed backwards or blocked purge line port

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Ford TSB 12-8-23 (2013 Escape) names a backwards vapor ejector and a blocked vapor purge port in the air cleaner outlet pipe, and TSB 13-5-29 names a blocked port on the 2012 Explorer.
    What would change this
    Rises on a 2012-2013 Explorer or Escape with a blocked port found by the tie-strap test. Falls if the port is clear and the ejector is correctly fitted.
    How to test the vacuum hoses and intake leaks

  3. Loose or partially connected evaporative hose or component

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    Ford bulletins for the 2017 Escape (16-0132) and 2017-2019 Escape/MKC (19-2171) mention a disconnected, loose or partially connected evaporative component. The bulletin summaries were not read in full.
    What would change this
    Rises if a quick-connect fitting is not fully seated. Falls if all connections are tight and sealed.

  4. Stuck check valve, damaged ejector or engine computer calibration

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    Rick's lists a stuck open or closed EVAP check valve and a damaged ejector. One owner's invoice also showed a PCM calibration update. These are plausible but ranked below the more documented causes.
    What would change this
    Rises if the check valve fails a vacuum test. Falls if the valve and ejector are good and a calibration update is not available.
    How to test the engine control module (ecm / pcm)

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Read all codes and freeze-frame data. Note whether P0455, P0456, P1450 or P04F0 are stored with P144C.

    Low riskTool: OBD-II scan tool

    • IfP0455 or P0456 (a leak) are stored too

      It meansA loose connection or a leak is a stronger suspect.

      Go to step 2

    • IfP144C is the only code

      It meansCheck for a blocked purge port or bad valve.

      Go to step 2

  2. With the engine off and cool, check that the EVAP hoses and quick-connect fittings near the intake, air cleaner outlet pipe and purge valve are fully seated and not cracked. On a 2012-2013 Explorer or Escape ask about the purge port and ejector checks.

    Low riskTool: visual inspection

  3. Have the canister purge valve tested: it should hold vacuum when closed and flow when commanded open. A shop can also check the check valve and ejector.

    Best left to a shopTool: hand vacuum pump, scan tool

    Warning:Fuel vapor is flammable. Work in a ventilated area away from sparks and open flame, and let a shop do the testing if you are unsure.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light, sometimes with a check fuel cap message
  • Rough idle or slow fuel fill (2017 Escape and MKC bulletin)
  • Engine stalls while driving or at a stop Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

Compare with: Check engine light came on after getting gas, Rough idle with the check engine light on

How to fix

  1. Make sure the fuel cap clicks tight and the fuel filler flap area is clean, then clear the code and see if it returns.

  2. Ask a dealer whether a Ford bulletin or calibration update applies to your VIN.

Parts and cost context

  • EVAP canister purge valve:Owners report P144C fixed by replacing the canister purge valve, but a blocked purge port or loose hose can cause it too, so confirm first. Labour varies; get a quote.

Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Ford

  • 2013–2019 · Escape · 1.6L GTDI, 2.0L GTDI

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford has issued several P144C bulletins for the Escape: a backwards vapor ejector or blocked purge port on the 2013 1.6L/2.0L (TSB 12-8-23), and loose or disconnected evaporative components on the 2017-2019 EcoBoost (TSB 16-0132, 19-2171). Whether they are still current is not verified.

  • 2012 · Explorer

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford TSB 13-5-29 ties P144C on the 2012 Explorer to a blocked vapor purge line port in the air cleaner outlet pipe assembly. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 2017 · Mustang · 2.3L EcoBoost

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford TSB 17-0019 lists P144C with P0456 and P1450 on early-build 2017 Mustangs with the 2.3L. Only the NHTSA summary was read; status not verified.

  • 2018–2019 · F-150

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford TSB 18-2252 and TSB 19-2132 list P144C on 2018-2019 F-150 (3.3L, 3.5L, 2.7L EcoBoost and 5.0L); TSB 19-2132 also covers the Expedition. Only the NHTSA summaries were read; status not verified.

  • TSB-12-8-23Status unverified

    Backwards vapor ejector or blocked purge port, P144C (Escape 1.6L/2.0L)

    2013escape · NHTSA 10047961

    Check the vapor ejector orientation and the purge line port, and replace the canister purge valve assembly or the air cleaner outlet pipe as needed.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • TSB-13-5-29Status unverified

    Blocked vapor purge line port, P144C (Explorer)

    2012explorer · NHTSA 10053276

    A blocked vapor purge line port in the air cleaner outlet pipe assembly lights the MIL with P144C.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • TSB 17-0019Status unverified

    MIL with P0456, P1450 and/or P144C (Mustang 2.3L)

    2017mustang · NHTSA 10095621

    Follow the service procedure for early-build 2017 Mustangs with the 2.3L. The NHTSA summary does not say what the repair is.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • TSB 16-0132Status unverified

    MIL with P0455 and/or P144C (Escape 1.5L GTDI)

    2017escape · NHTSA 10109050

    May be due to a disconnected or loose component. The NHTSA summary was read only in part.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • SSM 46525Status unverified

    MIL with P0455, P0456, P144C and/or P1450 (Escape 1.5L/2.0L/2.3L)

    2017escape · NHTSA 10109013

    May also show a rough idle or slow fuel fill. The NHTSA summary does not say what the repair is.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • TSB19-2171Status unverified

    MIL with P04F0 and/or P144C (Escape EcoBoost)

    2017–2019escape · NHTSA 10160819

    May be due to loose or partially connected evaporative emission components.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • TSB 18-2252Status unverified

    MIL with P2450 and/or P144C (F-150)

    2018f-150 · NHTSA 10144917

    Follow the service procedure for early-build 2018 F-150. The NHTSA summary does not say what the repair is.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • TSB19-2132Status unverified

    MIL with P04F0 and/or P144C (F-150, Expedition EcoBoost)

    2018–2019f-150, expedition · NHTSA 10160865

    The NHTSA summary does not say what the repair is.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • P144AOn Ford vehicles, the EVAP system's purge vapor line is restricted or blocked

    Same system Supported by vehicle data

    P144A is the Ford code for a restricted or blocked purge vapor line, and also points to the purge valve. Seen together, test the purge valve first.

  • P1450Fuel tank vacuum not bleeding off (Ford, Lincoln, Mazda)

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    Ford bulletins for the 2017 Mustang and Escape list P1450 and P144C together, which suggests a shared EVAP purge or vacuum fault.

  • P0456EVAP system very small leak detected

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    Ford bulletins list P0456 (very small leak) with P144C on the 2017 Mustang and Escape. Check connections first.

  • P0455EVAP system large leak detected

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    Ford's 2017 Escape bulletins list P0455 (large leak) with P144C, and loose evaporative connections are named.

All EVAP (evaporative emissions) codes

P144C questions

Is P144C the same on every make?

No. This page covers the Ford meaning only. Land Rover and Jaguar also store P144C but we have not verified what it means there.

Should I just replace the purge valve?

Not first. Ford bulletins also name a blocked purge port, a backwards ejector and loose evaporative hoses, so check those before buying parts.

Sources and review

  1. Ford TSB 13-5-29: blocked vapor purge line port, P144C (2012 Explorer) — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA
  2. Ford P144C code: what it means and how to fix — Rick's Free Auto Repair Advice
  3. Ford SSM 46525: P0455, P0456, P144C and/or P1450 (2017 Escape and MKC) — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA
  4. NHTSA complaint 11073478 (2013 Ford) — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
  5. NHTSA complaint 11253074 (2016 Ford) — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
  6. Escape vapor ejector (Ford TSB 12-8-23), VehicleServicePros TSB summary — VehicleServicePros / Ford Motor Company ,
  7. Ford TSB 16-0132: P0455 and/or P144C (2017 Escape 1.5L) — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA
  8. Ford TSB 19-2171: P04F0 and/or P144C (2017-2019 Escape and MKC) — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA
  9. Ford TSB 17-0019: P0456, P1450 and/or P144C (2017 Mustang 2.3L) — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA
  10. Ford TSB 18-2252: P2450 and/or P144C (2018 F-150) — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA
  11. Ford TSB 19-2132: P04F0 and/or P144C (2018-2019 F-150, Expedition, Navigator) — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA
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Written by
Saurabh K.
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