Evap purge valve and fuel odor

sparkyANDcleo · Post by **sparkyANDcleo** » 16 Apr 2011, 19:18

By the way. I love this site. I get so much information and help from here. This is my first post.
I bought 1997 Volvo 850 T-5 a few months ago. It was really cheap. Body and paint were in good shape and the engine and the transmission felt good when I test drove.

I got P0442 code a week ago (Autozone guys checked it for me and said it was evap leak)and I replaced the fuel cap and checked vacuum hoses from the charcoal canister to the purge valve to the intake manifold. They all looked good. Only hoses from the TCV to booter cracked and TCV to airbox broke off. I replace them and turbo runs better. It seems like I get better boost. But that would not contribute to EVAP error code and I still have CEL on.

There is some fuel smell (not too serious) and I have not replaced the evap purge valve yet because it's like $70. Vacuum hose is like $1 per foot.
Could a bad purge valve cause fuel smell?
New fuel cap and no vacuum problems so it's gotta be the purge valve right?
I heard people mentioning check valve but is it part of evap system?
Are there any other things that can cause P0442 code?

Thanks in advance.

MatDesign84 · Post by **MatDesign84** » 16 Apr 2011, 20:53

Have you checked the vac line on the left side of the manifold to see if it is intact?

Post by **jblackburn** » 16 Apr 2011, 23:17

Well welcome, thanks for joining up!

Oh boy, a small leak. Those are the hardest to find!

Did you inspect hoses on top of the charcoal canister itself? You will have to unbolt it and move it down out of the wheel well to see them all. I would also look at that hose where it runs from the front of the car back to the fuel tank end - they are known to let go there too.

sparkyANDcleo · Post by **sparkyANDcleo** » 16 Apr 2011, 23:52

Hmmmmm
All the way back to the fuel tank eh. That does not sound very fun. Anyways, I've checked all the hoses in the engin bay and I took the canister off to see the connections there and they are fine also. And the hose to the left of the manifold xpiecemealx
mentioned is fine too. I will check the hose to the fuel tank tomorrow.One thing I've notice though is there is no hissing sound when I open the fuel cap. I guess it's leaking somewhere for sure. Maybe that's causing the fuel odor?

Post by **jblackburn** » 17 Apr 2011, 00:03

Well, look at the fuel tank end itself first - hopefully you won't have to trace the entire hose.

I have never heard that noise on my Volvo - though the Hondas I've driven extensively have always done that wooshing noise when you take the cap off - an 88, 96, and 07.

I've never had EVAP codes, but I'd be interested to know if others with these cars have that happen when you take your gas cap off.

Post by **jreed** » 17 Apr 2011, 06:06

Another potential leak point is the roll-over valve located under the fuel tank filler tube, next to the fuel filter (at least, that's where it's located on my '97 855 GLT). The rubber connectors on that valve sometimes develop a leak... in my case due probably to a squirrel. I wrote about that experience and how to fix in the post linked below:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=31298

sparkyANDcleo · Post by **sparkyANDcleo** » 17 Apr 2011, 15:39

I found the issue. Like jblackburn said, I found the cracked hose on the fuel tank.
Sorry the pictures are not so clear. My dell phone doesn't take very good pictures.

: This is the cracked hose from the fuel tank

: I smell some gas around this area so I am sure this caused fuel smell issue. I don't know what this hose with blue lines is but the cracked hose is under those two skinny hoses

: This must be the roll-over valve jreed is talking about. what does this thing do?

So now, if I had alien fingers and arms then I can probably squeeze around that tight area and replace the hose but I couldn't even get my hand in there to feel the hose. Does this mean I have to drop the fuel tank to work on it? or at least lower it a little bit to replace the hose?
Is there a easy way to do it? Does autozone carry hose like that? does anyone know what size that is? I think I want to get the hose first then replace it. I dont want to leave this unplugged and go to autozone to match hose size. You know what I mean.

MatDesign84 · Post by **MatDesign84** » 17 Apr 2011, 17:16

Thanks for the reminder, I need to take my ride in to the dealer for that recall...

sparkyANDcleo · Post by **sparkyANDcleo** » 17 Apr 2011, 17:31

Recall? what recall? Can you tell me more?

MatDesign84 · Post by **MatDesign84** » 17 Apr 2011, 18:51

Its concerning the heat shield near the fuel tank, it can leak. I can take a picture and post the document (I meant to) if you want me to.