djacobow

I've started getting the MIL with the P0455 DTC on my 98 GT. After clearing, it comes back after a couple of drive cycles.

My mechanic wants to replace the evap canister purge valve without even smoke testing the system for a leak, as, I'm sure the former is less time-consuming -- if the problem is indeed the valve.

I figured, hey, valve looks simple enough. Two hoses and an electrical connector, I'll do it myself.

Well, I can find the part online for $31, but it looks to be a bear to replace. The canister and valve look like they're under the pax side fender, and to take that off, I need to remove the front bumper, fog and headlights, and a bunch of clips and screws. If the valve had been under the hood it would have been a 5 minute job.

Is there a trick to accessing the evap canister and purge valve without going through the fender hassle?

It kills me how 90% of the labor on fixing stuff on late model vehicles is just removing enough crap to get access to the part in question. Is this a conspiracy to drive up labor costs?

-- dave j

uofipilot

I had the pcv valve replaced on my 97 cobra when i got a 'small leak' in the evap system. Dealer replaced it for free (look in your owners manual on the first few pages and there should be something about the dealer replacing it for free at 60k miles. Thants what I did). Anyway, that didnt fix the problem and my cel is still on. I was planning on waiting for my next emissions to fix it, but I got the emissions notice in the mail a while ago, so I'm afraid its time. Let me know what was wrong with yours.

I'm sure you checked it, but you have a gas cap on right?

djacobow

Yeah, I checked the gas cap. I may buy a new one, however, just to see if that takes care of it.

I'll let you know what happens next. Unless I can get easy access to the purge control valve under the fender, I'm going to let a shop change the purge valve. If that's not the problem, it'll prolly be a real leak. I might have to take it to a mechanic with a smoke machine to get it leak tested.

My car has 90,000 miles on it. Sadly, the warranty is long gone.

-- dave j

uofipilot

It wasnt really a warranty. It was a thing where they would replace it for free to maintain passing emissions. I took mine in with 70k and they did it for me. 90 might be pushing it a little. The PCV valve is just on the drivers side valve cover. That should be simple to change.