Hi I was hoping you guys could help me track down a problem with my dads car. His check engine light keeps coming on. He will either disconnect the battery, have it reset at the local auto parts store or leave it on. He has taken it to the dealer once and they replaced an "emissions canister" or something like that. About a week later the light came back on. This is the second time he has been ripped off by the dealer's service center but that's another story.

Everytime he has it reset it will come back on within a couple of weeks.
The code at the auto parts store is 442 (emissions vacuum leak). It is an intermittent problem and he has replaced gas caps, pcv valve, vacuum lines etc. with no results.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a lot,

Joe

The car is a 2000 FFV.

The code P0442 is for EVAP Control System small leak detected. Per the factory service manual, the following are likely causes for this code:

After-market EVAP hardware (such as fuel filler cap) non-conforming to required specifications
Small holes or cuts in fuel vapor hoses/tubes
Canister vent solenoid stays partially open on closed command
Damaged, cross-threaded or loosely installed fuel filler cap
Loose fuel vapor hose/tube connections to EVAP system components
EVAP system component seals leaking (EVAP canister purge valve, fuel tank pressure sensor, canister vent solenoid, fuel vapor control valve tube assembly or fuel vapor vent valve assembly)-Rod

Thanks a lot, shorod. I'll check that stuff out tomorrow.

Any insight as to why this occurs so infrequently? After it is reset, it may take a week or 2 to show up again. I'm guessing this may make it hard to track down.

Also I've tried to download the 2000 service manual but it is always corrupted. Does anyone have any information on the EVAP Control System they care to share. Do you guys recommend the Service Manual CD's available on Ebay?

Does your dad fill the car with fuel every week or two? You may also want to see if you can correlate the Check Engine Light (CEL) with an approximate fuel level in the fuel tank, outside air temperature, environmental conditions (rain, dry, etc), engine temperature, etc.

Since this code is for a small leak, it may be a small split in a hose that closes when the cold causes the hose to contract and opens enough to trip the code when the hose expands as it warms up.

It could also be due to a failing vent solenoid that sticks or has debris in it which prevents it from closing completely in certain conditions.

-Rod

I'll ask him to write down the conditions the next time it happens. Where is the vent solenoid, and purge valve located?

Also can you recommend a good OBD2 scanner that will work with both a 2000 and a 2005 Taurus.

I'll have to get back to you on the locations.

As for a scan tool, this will depend a lot of what you want to spend versus what features you need. Since both of your cars are newer than 1996 model year, any of the OBD-II scan tools should work fine with both. You will want to make sure you pick one up that is Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol compatible. I don't know if the 2005 Taurus uses CAN, but it is becoming pretty popular.

I have experience with the AutoXray EZ-Scan 5000 and the OTC Genisys. The AutoXray can be upgraded for the Ford enhanced codes (manufacturer specific code definitions) and the OTC Genisys comes with this feature. However, there is a drastic difference in price between these two. Either of these could probably be considered "professional" tools.

Actron scan tool appear to be pretty capable, and have nearly the same features as AutoXray. They are readily available at many chain auto parts stores for a good price. Equus (sp?) markets a tool that seems quite capable as well.

-Rod

What do you think of the AutoXray EZ-Read 6000? Will this come with the cables and everything I need? I found it for $400 on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/AutoXray-6000-Diagnostic-Post-1996-Vehicles/dp/B0002SQXOM) is the price about right?

It's kinda expensive for my budget but I figure it'll pay for itself soon enough.

I found a good article (http://www.motorage.com/motorage/data/articlestandard/motorage/102005/149558/article.pdf) on the EVAP system if anyone is interested. I could still use some help locating components in the system though if anyone has a service manual.

The evap canister is under the trunk pan right?

What do you think of the AutoXray EZ-Read 6000? Will this come with the cables and everything I need? I found it for $400 on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/AutoXray-6000-Diagnostic-Post-1996-Vehicles/dp/B0002SQXOM) is the price about right?

It's kinda expensive for my budget but I figure it'll pay for itself soon enough.

I think you'd be better off to go with the EZ-Scan 4000 or EZ-Scan 5000. I picked my EZ-Scan 5000 with the EZ-PC software included for $389 brand new from eBay. The EZ-Scan 4000 is basically the same as the 5000, but does not come with the OBD-I cables (which you don't need for your 1996 and newer cars).

The EZ-Read 6000 does not appear to allow you access to the real-time data (aka: data stream parameters). When troubleshooting driveability issues, this capability can be very beneficial. The EZ-Scan series does include data stream mode.

-Rod

Thanks, I'll be sure to get the EZ-scan. Maybe I can get a good deal on Ebay.

I think I found the problem. There was a hard plastic line coming off the gas tank back to a metal line that goes to the evap canister. It had a quick coupler and didn't have an O-ring in it. It was different than the other couplers and I'm not sure if it was suppose to have an O-ring or some other type of seal but I believe something got left out when the service center replaced the evap canister.

Anyway it was leaking under my home-made pressure test (connecting a
tube and blowing in it while spraying the connections with soapy water). I bought an O-ring assortment and put one on the tube before reconnecting it and it didn't leak anymore, so maybe that was the problem.

So now if I use a code scanner (don't have one yet) can I force a small leak test or use it to verify that it has passed the last test performed? I understand that the small leak test is only performed if the conditions are just right.

Thanks,

Joe

There is no such thing as a EZ-Read 6000, But seeing the price and looking it up on Amazon we seem to be talking about the EZ-Scan 6000. The EZ-Scan 6000 does have access to the real-time data just as the 5000 does. The 6000 is a new model of the 5000 with added OBD-II enhanced vehicle coverage for Ford, GM, Chrysler and Toyota and EZ-PC AX500. The 5000 can also be updated to to OBD-II enhanced vehicle coverage for a fee, but if you are shopping for a tool, it's just cheaper starting with the 6000.

I bought the EZ-Scan 6000 to retire my Actron CP9110 with only generic OBD-II support.

I found that the EZ-Scan 6000 works great on OBD-II systems with the enhanced vehicle coverage. You do have to buy an extra cable if you want enhanced Chrysler coverage $30.

As for pre OBD-II systems

I have only used it on Ford EEC IV systems and it's less then great VS my Actron CP9110. It does not have as many options and does not work very well with the Ford EEC IV systems, No cylinder balance test. It also gives the wrong test procedures doing a KOER tests, It asks to shift the transmission into drive, while it should ask to cycle the overdrive button.


I have also bought the EZ-charge 200 for it to test batteries ($50 on Ebay). I have found the Midtronics EZ-charge well worth having and it also works great letting you test the battery CA and CCA without placing a load on the battery, it also tests for bad cells and turns the scan tool into a voltmeter.

Over all, I found the EZ-Scan 6000 well worth the money for use on OBD-II systems and after doing some research before buying it, I don't think that you can find a OBD-II scan tool with CAN support under $500 that compares. When I work on my EEC IV Ford I still reach for my old Actron CP9110.




I think you'd be better off to go with the EZ-Scan 4000 or EZ-Scan 5000. I picked my EZ-Scan 5000 with the EZ-PC software included for $389 brand new from eBay. The EZ-Scan 4000 is basically the same as the 5000, but does not come with the OBD-I cables (which you don't need for your 1996 and newer cars).

The EZ-Read 6000 does not appear to allow you access to the real-time data (aka: data stream parameters). When troubleshooting driveability issues, this capability can be very beneficial. The EZ-Scan series does include data stream mode.

-Rod

Click on my link to Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/AutoXray-6000-Diagnostic-Post-1996-Vehicles/dp/B0002SQXOM) reekor. I think that Amazon made a mistake because it is listed as an AutoXray "EZ-Read" 6000 Code "Reader". I found some good deals on Ebay though, and will probably buy there.

What are the "Ford EEC IV systems" (for 96 and earlier?) and should this affect my decision on a code scanner? I do have a 95 Escort I drive everyday to work. It gets great gas mileage and I would like to keep it running.

That's a EZ-Scan 6000 on amazon, so they do have have an error in their listing.

This is a great tool for the money, I just found my other scanner to work better on Ford EEC IV systems. 95 and earlier ford models. 96 was the must have year for OBD-II systems, as 2008 will be for CAN systems. Unless you spend a few grand on a scan tool any current model will lack on older systems only because they are long gone, EEC has not been used for almost 12 years now on ford cars, Ford heavy trucks used it a few years longer. I only find it painful on the older system because I have used something that works better before I have used the 6000. If you don't like the 6000 on the old system Ebay has older scan tools for less then $100. I have seen my Actron on Ebay brand new with the Ford & GM cartridge and cables for $70 Ebay item 260044598045. Even if you end up buying both, you still can't beat this combo for the money spent.

The 95 Escort came with two systems, EEC and MECS. The 1.9L uses the EEC and the 1.8L mazda engine uses the Mecs system. The 1.8L mazda engine came in the Escort GT models. The 6000 does not cover Mecs systems, but the Actron that I have listed does with the Ford cartridge and a optional Mecs cable. The Ford MECS and even the Chrysler LH systems are rarely covered on most DIY scan tools, as these systems have only been used on a very limited number of North American cars. Before the OBD-II became mandatory every manufacturer had their own system and a scan tool that covers every car model that ever hit the roads in North American would be far beyond affordable. I know that this is more then what you asked for, but sometimes I just can’t help myself LOL.









Click on my link to Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/AutoXray-6000-Diagnostic-Post-1996-Vehicles/dp/B0002SQXOM) reekor. I think that Amazon made a mistake because it is listed as an AutoXray "EZ-Read" 6000 Code "Reader". I found some good deals on Ebay though, and will probably buy there.

What are the "Ford EEC IV systems" (for 96 and earlier?) and should this affect my decision on a code scanner? I do have a 95 Escort I drive everyday to work. It gets great gas mileage and I would like to keep it running.

I would certainly suggest ordering an EZ-Scan off of eBay rather than the tool from Amazon. I'm not convinced that what you'd receive from Amazon is actually an EZ-Scan 6000. Their list of Product Features does not list datastream capability, and AutoXray does market an EZ-Read family (although their website does not list an EZ-Read 6000). The AutoXray site has errors in their descriptions of other products (such as saying the EZ-Scan 4000 comes with the OBD-I cables). Amazon also mentiones that "Customers who viewed this item also viewed: AutoXray EZ-Scan 6000..." so Amazon recognizes there is a difference (potentially) between an EZ-Read and EZ-Scan.

-Rod