Natural Vacuum Leak Detection (NVLD)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Dodge Intrepid, 2004 Chrysler Intrepid, 2004 Chrysler Concorde, and 2004 Chrysler 300M. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The Natural Vacuum Leak Detection (NVLD) system is the next generation evaporative leak detection system that will first be used on vehicles equipped with the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) or Next Generation Controller (NGC) starting in 2002 M.Y. This new system replaces the leak detection pump as the method of evaporative system leak detection. The current CARB requirement is to detect a leak equivalent to a 0.020" (0.5 mm) hole. This system has the capability to detect holes of this size very dependably.

The basic leak detection theory employed with NVLD is the "Gas Law". This is to say that the pressure in a sealed vessel will change if the temperature of the gas in the vessel changes. The vessel will only see this effect if it is indeed sealed. Even small leaks will allow the pressure in the vessel to come to equilibrium with the ambient pressure.

In addition to the detection of very small leaks, this system has the capability of detecting medium as well as large evaporative system leaks.