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Evap trouble codes P0441 and 0455.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Markbratz, Aug 26, 2024 at 9:35 PM.

  1. Markbratz

    Markbratz New Member

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    Good evening. Long time lurker - first time poster!

    2015 Prius. Lots of miles. Car sat for 8 months. Shortly after starting to use again, we got the dreaded P0441 and 0455 codes recently. Tried the easy fix by replacing gas cap and reset - code comes back.

    I started by removing the air box and accessing the purge valve mounted to the air intake on the engine. I removed the valve and applied vacuum to the valve. It seems that valve is not leaking.

    However, when I blow into the hose that leads toward the tank, I can blow very very easily. Almost no resistance. My understanding is that the tank is a closed system, meaning that if I blow in the hose . . . it shouldn't go anywhere. Am I understanding that correctly? If so, would I be correct in assuming that there is a leak/crack/mouse chewed up spot/cut somewhere along that hose leading back to the fuel tank?

    I suppose the next step is to pull all of the "covers" off from around the fuel tank and look for anything obviously wrong with the hose.

    If I've got that all wrong, what steps might you suggest instead?

    Many thanks in advance for your thoughts, wisdom, and sarcasm (!).

    ~markbg
     
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    All the Toyota's I've had with this type system like my 2001 sienna the problems never been up under the hood it's always back in the back near that evap menagerie of crap in that rectangular formation that it's in there's one or two evap switches back there that get corroded and disgusting and stop working there's even YouTube videos of guys and third world countries breaking those switches apart cleaning them showing you the damage putting them back together and they work I believe in my sienna van that's what would put the light on that switch back there at the purge bank or container whatever that's called right above the tank in front of behind it whatever you want to call it I believe in the Prius it'll probably work out to be very similar If you go back there and look you'll see one or two of those electric valves but 12 volts to them see which one doesn't click break it open if you're so inclined and see the rust and nastiness clean it up and it'll work or the switches are like $13 online several manufacturers make them And my sienna when the check engine light came on I went back and replaced that valve or cleaned it and fixed it and the light went off.
     
  3. Markbratz

    Markbratz New Member

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    Thank you ASRDogman for posting those two videos. I'll continue to look for the leak in the hose. In the meantime, can you clarify for me . . . should I feel resistance (or NO airflow) when I blow into the hose that feeds into the Purge valve (located in the engine bay)? As mentioned, when I blow into this, lots of air flow. Seems to me that it should not allow that. That suggests to me a gross/major leak somewhere in the hoses/pipe that leads aft. It's a pain in the butt to even follow the hose that goes back -lots of covers and stuff over the top of it - especially back near the fuel tank.
     
  4. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    I can't tell you if there should be pressure or not. Seems you have vacuum only one way.
    So vacuum from the engine pulls the vapors into the engine. And not allow it to flow back
    into the tank. The cap is vented to allow air in, but not allow the vapors out....

    Doing diagnoises can be a royal pain sometime, having to trace lines out. I would think
    something would be ovious and you could easily see it. Check the engine compartment
    for any hoses that might have popped off, or are cracked...

    I always like to check the easy stuff first.... And older cars seem to have cracked plastic
    where they connect to the fittings...

     
  5. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Those switching valves or evaporative switching valves in the back near the canister are always suspect because they're in the rain and the weather The one under the hood is protected generally speaking unless somebody hits it with a hammer pulls it and dislodges it or whatever I know in my other Toyotas that have this similar setup rarely is the underhood part the problem more or less It's the solenoid valve in that rectangular charcoal canister evap system business right up above the tank where water and salt and stuff can smack in to the solenoid valve which is you can see from looking under the car it's usually reddish brown brick color with gold or silver metal trim It's just a little thing with two or more ports on it and hoses hooking to it and like ASR said you shouldn't be able to blow stuff back to the tank that should be being sucked towards the engine and not allowed to go back generally speaking a couple of those lines may allow you to blow through them but the important one shouldn't allow those fuel vapors to go back towards the canister they should only be able to pull forward towards the engine.