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By now everyone knows my car… 2002 Pontiac Sunfire, 2.2 OHV engine, the 8th VIN digit is a 4.. I’ve had a check engine light since I bought my car, and the only thing I’ve ever noticed is fuel cost. I previously had a malibu, 2003, with either a 3.1 or 3.2 engine, can’t remember. It had better gas mileage than my now.. 2.2 OHV. My check engine says there’s an open circuit in a purge valve. NO IDEA what that means. However, I know the location of my Evap Canister Purge Valve, and the access to replace said part, is next to impossible. Does anyone know if this Valve can cause a rough idle? (I also have a rough idle) also, what are common symptoms of that valve failing and what could be a problem when it fails? Because if I go and replace the valve and that’s not the real problem…. it will be a bad day. The location is under my intake manifold on the backside of the engine, I have to remove half the engine to even access the hoses that connect to it, let alone the bolt that holds on it’s bracket, I have to remove a tire to even get a wrench onto it, let alone swing it. There’s just no room…. The check engine light code is a P0440
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see if this helps.
http://www.justanswer.com/pontiac/3mule-code-read-p0440-what-does-mean.html
[quote=”Hemikid1994″ post=115553]My check engine says there’s an open circuit in a purge valve. NO IDEA what that means. However, I know the location of my Evap Canister Purge Valve, and the access to replace said part, is next to impossible. Does anyone know if this Valve can cause a rough idle? (I also have a rough idle) also, what are common symptoms of that valve failing and what could be a problem when it fails?
The check engine light code is a P0440[/quote]
The purge valve can cause what is essentially a vacuum leak if it’s stuck open. This can be especially true with the vent valve being normally open. This could easily contribute to rough idle and lost fuel economy. There’s a problem in saying there’s an open circuit code with the purge valve though, because an open circuit for the purge valve would mean that the valve is closed. P0440 is much more a vague code that could point to a loose gas cap or a hole in a EVAP line, amongst other things, as much as it could point to a fault with the purge valve. (Have a link)
If you’d want to chase the purge valve as a possible fault I’d personally tap the EVAP line from the intake to the purge valve and hit it with a smoke machine. (Assuming the line is easy to get at anyway. Can you see a green cap for the EVAP test port anywhere in plain sight?) There’s a flow meter on the smoke machine. I’d watch that meter with the smoke running to see that flow stops altogether. Given where your purge valve is at, the flow should flat out stop really quickly.
A lot of great suggestions here. I’ll only add that yes indeed if the valve is bad it can effect the idle as well as fuel economy. As pointed out it’s common to use smoke to verify it’s operation. I’ve seen posts about people making their own smoke machines. This might be something to consider as smoke machines can be pretty expensive.
Good luck and keep us posted.
[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=115632]A lot of great suggestions here. I’ll only add that yes indeed if the valve is bad it can effect the idle as well as fuel economy. As pointed out it’s common to use smoke to verify it’s operation. I’ve seen posts about people making their own smoke machines. This might be something to consider as smoke machines can be pretty expensive.
Good luck and keep us posted.[/quote]
What tools/equipment.. ect.. would I use to create a smoke machine? If I can create one somewhat inexpensively, I will do so. Because like I mentioned… my part is under my intake manifold, above my oil filter, and to even get my hands close to the lines I need to remove the ducting to the intake, and to get access to the bolt…. the tire is going to need removed. I’ve even tried swivel sockets… and it’s just impossible… I’m ready to take the new part to a dealer and ask them to install it and save a headache… the engineers couldn’t have found a worse spot for this thing haha
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