Hey all-
So today when I was driving to work I got a CEL. No prob. So after work I cruise over to Autozone and they pull out their trusty OBDII Code reader and come up with...

0455- Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected (gross leak).

I have no idea what this one means. And I searched on the main page and also did a search here... no luck.
Does anyone know what the heck this code means and what do I need to fix or replace?
Any my most important question, can I still continue to drive my car??
Thanks a million for any help!
-Chris b.

EVAP is just emissions equipment - it won't affect drivability or performance at all.

Thanks for the reply, Is there anything I can do to get rid of the CEL without having to take it in?
-Chris b.

yeah, pull the bulb out...
:+

Umm Thanks for the tip, but I would prefer to fix the problem than to just hide the problem. Anyone else? Ideas on what I should be looking for?
-Chris b.

possibly o2 sensors? they seem to cause a lot of problems. check the wire under the driver seat. there is a connection there that got loose under the carpet that caused a cel in mine.
jeff

the evap canister is up in the engine bay on the passenger side right under the cruise control box, next to the alternator
its like a black box

Check all vacuum hoses coming to and from it saying is a gross leak from your CEL tips off a vacuum hose has been disconnected from the canister or that the hose is cracked and leaking vacuum really bad

Trace the vacuum tubes and look for leaks/disconnections

There is also a connection to the gas tank which may have been disconnected too
just trace all tubes from that unit and youll find your problem

Nice! thanks! Gives me something to do this weekend. I have noticed that some of my hoses are starting to show wear and cracking. I need to replace them all soon I suppose.
Thanks again,
Chris b.

Just wondered if you managed to clear this fault?

I (well Mitsubishi Motors) have been chasing this error on my 98 GS for a few months now and still not resolved it. I believe my error code was #P0442, but it was that same category "evap system leak".

I would like to get this one cleared before the winter sets in!

Any tips or comments welcome.

Well, actually I didn't have to clear it because when I went to fix try and track down the problem the CEL went off on its own, so I haven't pursued the cause any further. The car seems to be running just fine.
Sorry I couldnt help ya,
Chris b.

Yes - mine went off for a while when I switched out the battery but it is now back on.

One of the original replies gave me some food for thought.

>Just wondered if you managed to clear this fault?
>
>I (well Mitsubishi Motors) have been chasing this error on
>my 98 GS for a few months now and still not resolved it. I
>believe my error code was #P0442, but it was that same
>category "evap system leak".
>
>I would like to get this one cleared before the winter sets
>in!
>
>Any tips or comments welcome.

Have you tried a new gas cap? That might be the cause.

-- WheatKing

Someone did suggest the fuel cap seal.

I have picked up a copy of the workshop manual so I will see what cheap fixes I can implement before giving it back to MM to charge me $100 and hour!

if its a gross leak code then the leak should be obvious.
like some one else said gas cap is the first place to go.

and it you don't see any other obvious leaks (which you should), try
blowing cigarette smoke into one of the hoses and having someone look for any sign of it. of course the valve won't be open, but you can test the engine side of the system. if its not the gas cap, and you don't see an obvious deteriorated hose, than i would guess the valve is stuck.

I changed out a couple of vaccum lines and it fixed mine.

Originally posted by run4cvr
I changed out a couple of vaccum lines and it fixed mine.

I also have the same issue (P0442), can you tell us which vacuum lines you changed? I would like to see if I can try it, too.

Thanks!

Originally posted by yujungchang

Originally posted by run4cvr I changed out a couple of vaccum lines and it fixed mine.

I also have the same issue (P0442), can you tell us which vacuum lines you changed? I would like to see if I can try it, too. Thanks!

Holy hell. Old post memories. Well, I have changed ALL my vac hoses on numerous occasions over the past 4 years since this post was born. Most recently during an engine rebuild. So there ya go.

Originally posted by djtrickee
Holy hell. Old post memories. Well, I have changed ALL my vac hoses on numerous occasions over the past 4 years since this post was born. Most recently during an engine rebuild. So there ya go.

Oh come on, deej. Surely you can recall this particular time and if you only changed out a couple or what, can't you? Kid used the search, man! C'mon! :P

if the canister is under the CC then whats the one behind the fron bumper for? On the passenger side that is.

I got really confused when I saw that DJ had to go to AutoZone to get codes read, then I saw that the thread was four years old :P

Originally posted by Keith2172
I got really confused when I saw that DJ had to go to AutoZone to get codes read, then I saw that the thread was four years old :P

Haha, yea. And I haven't been back to one since then either! Screw that place. Useless imo.