Hey Lads,

After I bought my 2003 XK8, I had to drive it back from California to Las Vegas. Car ran really well except for the EGR pipe which has been replaced.

So about 30 minutes outside of Vegas i get a CEL for something like "large evap leak" or something. I know what it is because the PO seemed to have misplaced the fuel cap .....lol.

Anyway, my question is:
Will this CEL clear itself eventually or does it require a code clear?
I ask because I am uncertain about the required drive cycle for this car to reset sensors and I had a bitch of a time getting my XJ6 to reset after I cleared the codes on that. I say this because I have not had the car smogged yet.

Would rather let it reset itself but not sure how many miles of driving that takes.

 

The CEL will turns itself off once the fault has been repaired. Force-clearing the codes also deletes the 'all monitors ready' code P1111 which might be required to pass your smog test.

 

Actually, I think the car already has that code displayed?
It won't affect smog here in Las Vegas though as you are allowed one code stored anyway as long as there is no CEL illuminated I believe

I guess I will leave it alone for now and once I get it out on a nice long drive, I bet it resets itself.

Thanks

 

Should reset after 3 engine warm-ups. Code will stay stored harmlessly (would not affect smog etc tests) but be auto-deleted after 40 (or 80) warm-ups.

I'd not clear it.

However, it may have affected fuel trims. They also will relearn but I'd have a look to make sure, if you have a tool with live data. (Code clear won't clear fuel trims. You'd need a battery disconnect / hard reset for that.) Again, I'd leave it as is except for looking at data.

Highly likely it's fine and will stay so.

 

Thanks for the information.

Well it has seen a lot more than 3 engine warmups since the code was thrown but it also took 4 hours of driving without a fuel cap to trigger the warning in the first place.

I know that's the problem as at the same time it threw the CEL, it also threw a dash warning about fuel cap. Along with that, the stored code matches the issue as well.

Guess I will just keep waiting for now.

Thanks!
Bernie

 

The test sequence for 'EVAP leak' is only done occasionally under certain circumstances and not on a continuous basis. Next time it might happen in 4 minutes, 40 or 4 hours or even more.

 

Thanks,

I just realized something else.
The fuel level is below 1/4 tank so that is certainly not helping the situation I am sure.

Going to head to the station and get about 3/4's into it.

B

 

And it will need a cold soak (sit) over night.

If still no joy, go hunting why.