Stupid Check Engine Light Keeps coming on - 2003 RX300

[cyrus buelton]

Already took it once to Autozone.

It is the evap emissions system..........gas cap loose.

Which is bullshit because the make the beast with two backser is tight.

I had them reset the system and I filled up Saturday afternoon.

make the beast with two backsing light came on AGAIN!

I am running 87 octane in it. Engine runs fine, no pinging, etc.

Think if I ran 89 octane that could change it?


any suggestions would be great, I am sick of goign to Autozone and looking like more of an idiot than I already am to have the guy go "you have a loose gas cap"

[Sinister]

Here's some advice:  Shove it off a cliff, and buy a Chevy, like I told you to in the beginning.

Take it in, bro.  You obviously have an emissions problem (double-meaning intended). 

Do you have a metric gascap or regular kind?

[ZLTFUL]

Do you have a metric gascap or regular kind?

[the_Journeyman]

I have an almost constant CEL due to evap problem.  The fix told to me was a new cap because the little flapper thing that lets the tank pressurize but still vent extra pressure breaks on Dakotas apparently ~

JM

[il d00d]

Yeah, +1 on the gas cap - I had mine tested at my last state inspection, and it would not hold pressure.  That's not to say that the bastard didn't poke a hole in it before testing, but the new one was $10.  You also might try "rebooting" your ECU by disconnecting your battery.

[Sinister]

Always a winner, that one.

[Sinister]

Is the resevoir for your blinker fluid low? 

That could cause a rogue CEL.

[corey]

^^ my stupid dodge neon would agree..

[Howie]

Take it to a real shop.  The evap system has a leak somewhere.  Auto Zone will just keep selling you caps until you are bankrupt because that is what the scan tool says.  All the computer knows is there is no positive or negative pressure in the tank.

[metallimonster]

^^^^ +11111111


Jud,

There is about 10 different parts and more than 10 feet of lines that can go bad.  Take it to a shop and get it pressure tested and have them put the smoke machine on it.  You'll find the leak that way.

[cyrus buelton]

I haven't replaced the cap yet.

If they are 10$, I will try that first.



But yeah, might end up taking it in if it continues.

[NAKID]

Always a good plan, start at the least expensive possibility and work your way up...

[Porsche Monkey]

First take off the gas cap and look at the seal underneath. Make sure it isn't cracked. 2nd, quit takin your car to autozone. Just because they have a scan tool to pull codes doesn't mean they can tell you what's wrong or diagnose a problem like an actual technician. Those guys are not mechanics in any sense of the word, they look up parts on a computer and usually suck at it. Third, if its not a faulty gas cap then take it to someone who has experience with that particular car. Preferably the Lexus dealer. Before you flame me let me explain. A general service shop may not have too much diagnostic experience with that particular car, a dealer will and it may be a common problem that the dealer sees often. This may in turn lead to the general service shop charging you diagnostic time that can push the repair bill higher than the dealers. If there is in fact an evaporative emissions leak as it sounds then there is a good chance the part will be dealer specific and you won't save any on parts or worse the general service shop may charge a mark up.  This type of repair will probably require a smoke machine to diagnose and a general service shop may not own one, a dealer usually will. PM me if you would like to discuss.
Jon

[red baron]

I had a similar issue and it turned out to be the fittings into the evap can had rusted and cracked the case causing the leak.

The dealer fixed it right first shot.

[Porsche Monkey]

I had a similar issue and it turned out to be the fittings into the evap can had rusted and cracked the case causing the leak.

The dealer fixed it right first shot.

Just curious, what kind of car was this?