I used to get an intermittent P0455 code, (which a reset cleared and it hasn't returned). No visible leaks around the tank or canisters. After Ireplaced some heater hoses, I have a fuel smell around the right rear tire well. suggestions?

 

Make and model....Year, engine etc.
Do you still have the P0455 code?

 

2000 XK8, I don't have the code curently, but do have a fuel smell. CCV is open (can blow air through it) when it is disconnected, is this normal (normally open ... and... energize to close?). I unpugged the vacume hose to the purge valve (engine side) and checked to see if I have engine vacume... I do. I checked to see if the purge valve holds vacume on vacume hose supply, seems to leak down. Can you point me towards a test proceedure for the fuel smell? I have verified no visible tank leaks and no fuel smell in trunk.

 

If you want to see if CCV works, Apply 12volts to it on one side and supply a ground on the other. If it clicks closed you are ok.

P0455 is gross leak. I would look at the two charcoal cansiters. One each side of frame by the canister close valve. See if the o-rings on the plastic going into the canisters are split. They are know for splitting. If purge valve leaking, you would smell fuel in vehicle and would run rough. Purge valve is solenoid and vacuum. Have you smoke tested system? Easiest way to find source of your P0455. Many possibilities. Fuel cap, O-rings, CCV, Purge Valve, Fuel pump seals. If you are going to smoke test it you also need to apply voltage to CCV first so you do not vent it.

 

I get a fuel smell at the wheel well first.... then I can smell it inside the vehicle (a convertible).

Does the smoke need to be supplied to the tank? Or do I need to splice in to a certain area?

 

At the purge valve vapor line to rear of vehicle. Make sure you close the ccv first. If you smell it in the vehicle, I would be more inclined to think it is seal at top of fuel tank. Open trunk, pull rear carpet to expose tank. Stick your nose in there and take a whiff. See if it reeks of gas.

 

Checked the trunk. No, signs of a leak or gas smell in the trunk. I removed the fuel tank metal cover and checked the tank and all of the metal, rubber & plastic lines, and the tank, no signs of leakage. Whent back bottom-side, and after reinstalling the charcoal canister on the right side (along with the tested CCV), I checked the hose to the other canister, it was tight, I put pressure on the hose... no leak. Put the whole thing back together and it seemed thatduring reassembly that the hose O-ring fitting to the charcoal canisterseated in deeper that when I removed it. I ran the car for 20 minutes and no gas smell. Could a simple unseated O-ring fitting produce major fumes? Or... Maybe during the CCV testing, some debris dislodged... Thanks for your help!

 

Glad to be of assistance. Hope it works out for you.