I just finished up with a month long investigation into the P0496, it was the EVAP purge valve up near the engine , three times the check engine light came on, I tested the valve by attempting to blow thru it , I couldn’t. The fourth time , I could blow thru the valve in both directions. After replacing the valve , no more pending code and no long hard starting after refueling.

 

Told you so.

 

You do d, and I wanted to ensure there was a follow up , thank you Donbrew