Need help, CEL

[peter]

I was driving back home yesterday and about 50-60 miles outside of town on the freeway my CEL randomly came on. Got it checked and found code P0440 evaporative emissions system. Its for my 98 legacy, anyone know what I should check out?

[Okin DaVanh]

Check the gas cap 1st. Then the canister.

[Huffer]

Try unscrewing your gas cap, reinstalling and clear the code. Drive for a day to see if the code comes back. If it does, inspect the gas cap for seal leaks. If no dice there, then you'll have to troubleshoot more from these starting points:

http://www.obd-codes.com/p0440

[chuckthefuk]

Sometimes this evap sensor fails its located next to the rear charcoal canister and runs inline with the evap tube coming off your fuel filler neck.

If you have recently "over filled" your gas tank the "spill over / overflow" flows down the evap tube and tends to clog the canister :-(

Good luck
-Chuck

[peter]

I already thought it might be the gas cap (and that's the advice others gave) but it shouldn't be. I drove 350+ miles after last filling up before the light came on. Also by the time I got into town I was on empty so I filled up and the light was still on

[prodriver1]

Sometimes this evap sensor fails its located next to the rear charcoal canister and runs inline with the evap tube coming off your fuel filler neck.

If you have recently "over filled" your gas tank the "spill over / overflow" flows down the evap tube and tends to clog the canister :-(

Good luck
-Chuck
do you get a new canister then?

[chuckthefuk]

yes :-(

And then test the sensor :-(

[Huffer]

I already thought it might be the gas cap (and that's the advice others gave) but it shouldn't be. I drove 350+ miles after last filling up before the light came on. Also by the time I got into town I was on empty so I filled up and the light was still on

Did you clear the code though? Did it come back?

[peter]

I already thought it might be the gas cap (and that's the advice others gave) but it shouldn't be. I drove 350+ miles after last filling up before the light came on. Also by the time I got into town I was on empty so I filled up and the light was still on

Did you clear the code though? Did it come back?

I did not clear the code while I had the code reader, but I did try by disconnecting the battery, that either doesnt clear codes, or it is still present

[Huffer]

I've found the battery disconnect to be unreliable and slow. Buy a code reader, they are well worth the investment.

[peter]

Got the code cleared today, made a few short trips around town and its staying off for now