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Hello All,
I have an issue with my CEL (Check Engine Light) popping up intermittently. This is in result of the ECM throwing a P0440 Code. Apparently, this is due to issues with the Vapor Canister, maybe a Vapor Pressure Sensor? Can this be caused by something as simple as a fuel tank cap not tightened or needing replacement?
I just would like to know where I can start to troubleshoot why I would all of a sudden have vapor canister issues. I am trying not to just throw a new canister at it and that not be the problem.
A little about the car : 1996 Lexus ES300 with 200,000 miles. Recently changed o2 sensors which caused the CEL to stay on constantly. Takes about a week for the CEL to come back on after clearing the code for this new Vapor Canister issue.
Any ideas?
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[quote=”rayg85374″ post=53377]Hello All,
I have an issue with my CEL (Check Engine Light) popping up intermittently. This is in result of the ECM throwing a P0440 Code. Apparently, this is due to issues with the Vapor Canister, maybe a Vapor Pressure Sensor? Can this be caused by something as simple as a fuel tank cap not tightened or needing replacement?
I just would like to know where I can start to troubleshoot why I would all of a sudden have vapor canister issues. I am trying not to just throw a new canister at it and that not be the problem.
A little about the car : 1996 Lexus ES300 with 200,000 miles. Recently changed o2 sensors which caused the CEL to stay on constantly. Takes about a week for the CEL to come back on after clearing the code for this new Vapor Canister issue.
Any ideas?[/quote]
I don’t mean to sound like a jerk, but are you one of those people who keeps putting gas in after the gas pump has cutoff?
The reason I say this is that sometimes the canister gets soaked from the overflow…. Have seen many problems from this on Toyota/Lexus products…
Karl!
No I do not top off after the nozzle click. I know just what kind of damage that can do eventually if you hoard fuel.
I just have no idea what could cause a canister issue all of the sudden. I haven’t had this car for but a month so I don’t have enough history with it to know why the Vapor Canister would present an issue. I am about ready to just scoop one up at the wrecking yard and toss it in to see what happens. It’s worth the try at 25 bucks.
So far I just don’t know.
OK, Your best bet is to get another canister….
The VSV (Vacuum Switching Valve) is known to go bad on those..There are a couple on that car! . Especially in high salt states (Cold winters) they are known to go bad…… It may be a VSV located on the canister. It would not hurt to replace the whole assembly, but is a roll of the bones with a junkyard one (the VSV is attached)……
All the best!
Karl!
Ya I think I will just toss the dice on this one and save the extra $300.00. Plus the yard has a couple of these models and they guarantee the parts for 6 months. They have a couple decent cars that were good runners before their wrecks, so it should work out.
Is there any damage being done while this issue is showing up?
The only damage is possibly to the environment and to your wallet as well as failing an emissions test.
If you are in a state that does not require emissions testing, then the loss will be through the beautiful green trees that you are defoiling (some sarcasm here)…
The loss to your wallet is you will not get as good of gas mileage as you should….
If you are in California, your car could end up a lawn sculpture, because an ODB II emissions based failure could park your car until you have the Benjamins to get it fixed…….
Seriously though, you will just get less than efficient gas mileage with this problem..
Karl!
Emissions will not be a problem. I already got the car through emissions after putting in all new o2 sensors. I agree with just throwing a new canister in and keep an I will just keep an eye on it.
Thanks Karl for the input.
I am just a wee bit confused on the location of the Canister. I am almost sure it is located right below the master cylinder next to the air box on a 1996 Lexus ES300.
here is a link that may help.
http://www.eanswer.com/lexus/6ygk4-lexus-es300-2000-lexus-es-300-code-p0440-p0446.html
I think my first and economical approach is going to be replacing the fuel cap. It does appear worn and just brown around the threads and the vapor lock mechanism. So I will pop a new one on and see if the same codes come up.
From an Airtek website I found out that:
P0440 indicates not enough vacuum.
P0441 indicates no flow during purge cycle.
I am thinking due to a lack of vacuum and inadequate flow, there must be air exiting the system therefore creating a domino effect.
Anyone have different ideas on this?
Definitely replace the gas cap and ensure it clicks…
Also, check all vacuum lines…. There should be a VSV on the canister… check that this is operating properly…
Here is a link for checking them…..
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/131-8th-generation-1998-2002/286907-p0440-p0441-p0446.html
Thanks. I will have a look at it. I will just shoot ahead with the cap first and if the code pops up again I will just take a trip down and scoop up that Canister assembly for $25 bucks I mentioned before.
Thanks Karl
This afternoon I was putting the new fuel cap on and decided to browse under the hood for anything I might see out of the ordinary in relation to the Vapor Canister. Much to my surprise I found an air hose routing from what appears to be a valve/diaphragm off the top of the Vapor Canister.
I found a hole in the air box where the air filter is housed and reattached the hose from the top of the Vapor Canister to the air box. It appeared that hose was aimed up to the hole and belongs there.With the new fuel cap and hose properly placed I will see if I pull a code in the next couple days. I feel like the CEL will pop the same code anyway, because I think I left the hose off of the air box after replacing the starter a couple days ago. I still got the P0440 code prior to the starter ever going out. I may still go pick up that Canister and see if I get the code afterward.
Wish me luck, guys!
Since I see the views increasing on this post I thought I would give a brief update after a couple days of running it following the reattachment of the hose from the vapor canister to the air box. Seems as though the code has not come up yet. This could have been just an issue with the air box not being linked up. Will keep an eye on it for another 5 days and keep ya’ll informed. :unsure:
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