2002 Dodge Stratus Trouble with repairing check engine light
Trouble with repairing check engine light
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I have a 2002 Dodge Stratus with 114,000 miles on it. Back in November I took my car to a mechanic to get a check engine light fixed. First I took my car to Advance Auto to find out what the code was and it was P0456 (EVAP emissions leak very small). The mechanic did a smoke test and found out the problem was my gas cap. So he got me a brand new gas cap and cleared the check engine light and charged me $92.63. Then a week later, the engine light came on took the car back to Advance and the same code (P0456) came up again. I took my car back to the mechanic and said I needed an EGR vacuum control valve. I got it put on my car and charged me $296.61. A week and a half later, the check engine light came on again and for the same code as before. I took my car back and the mechanic did the smoke test and it was the gas cap again! So the mechanic cleared the engine light, made sure the gas cap was tight, and drove my car 10 miles to make sure the light didn't come on. When I picked up my car, the mechanic told me that he used to work for a Dodge dealer and Dodge cars were famous for check engine lights on P0456 codes. Also to make sure my gas cap was tight (over 3 clicks) and he didn't charge me this time. That Thursday January 13, I filled up my car with gas and I made sure my gas cap was tight (I did 5 clicks) Yesterday on Saturday January 15, the check engine light came on again! I'm trying to figure out what's going on here. Can anyone tell me? I'm not an expert in cars or car repair. In the past when I took my car to a mechanic and after my car was fixed, I had no problem, this is the first time for me.
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EGR Vacuum control valve for a P0456? Hmmm...not sure if I can agree with that.
P0456 is kind of a generic evaporative emissions leak code, if I remember correctly, and does not really feed you much information about what you are looking for. In fact, often times, folks clear that code continually until something more explanatory comes up (like a P0455 or P0457...).
Make sure you have replaced your fuel cap with the original equipment Dodge cap. The smoke test is the right tool to use - however, it seems that the gas cap is not the solution you are looking for. Additional due dilligence is required to diagnose your concern.
Hi DaveJHM,
Thanks for responding to my post. When I got a new gas cap, it wasn't a Dodge gas cap. Also, you're response sounds a lot like Patrick's. Do you think the mechanics did enough to fix my car?
It's possible, actually, that an aftermarket gas cap is not going to seal quite right. First thing I would do just to eliminate the variable is to get a Dodge fuel cap.
Other than that...really, resolving a P0456 is like looking for a needle in a haystack. However, with a good smoke test and actuating the proper components like Patrick said to work the evaporative emissions system during dynamic smoke testing, you should be able to reach a conclusion.
Evap system leaks can be hard to find but not this hard. More advanced scantools can do tests to close solenoids and test the system to ensure it the system has been repaired properly. "Smoke test" is great but it may be necessary to electrically close solenoids and apply a vacuum or smoke to see there are no more leaks.
Hi DaveJHM, Thanks for responding to my post. When I got a new gas cap, it wasn't a Dodge gas cap. Also, you're response sounds a lot like Patrick's. Do you think the mechanics did enough to fix my car?
It's possible, actually, that an aftermarket gas cap is not going to seal quite right. First thing I would do just to eliminate the variable is to get a Dodge fuel cap. Other than that...really, resolving a P0456 is like looking for a needle in a haystack. However, with a good smoke test and actuating the proper components like Patrick said to work the evaporative emissions system during dynamic smoke testing, you should be able to reach a conclusion.