3rd P0441 Code in 10 months

[BrianFiebig]

SO, back in January, got the code, they pulled the PCV valve, worked great. Got the code again a month ago, replaced the gas cap gasket, code went away. Got the code AGAIN this morning, PCV valve failed again. They replaced it under warrenty only because the tech said he should have replaced it 3 weeks ago in addition to the gasket, but they made pointed comments regarding my Forge. They gave me copies of the snapshot telemetry, and said that the motor was for some reason developing boost when it should have been in vacuum, and that was what caused the PCV valve to stick in the open position, possibly due to the Forge. Ill upload the sheets when I get home tomorrow. Sounds reasonable to me, but I would like opinions. Its an easy repair, and I have the part number, so if it goes again I can replace on my own. This also sounds like something the Pill could solve permenantly as well. Or should I just suck it up and use the DH to clear the code if it comes up again between now and when I need my emissions checked in September of 2010?

 

[matsuda]

SO, back in January, got the code, they pulled the PCV valve, worked great. Got the code again a month ago, replaced the gas cap gasket, code went away. Got the code AGAIN this morning, PCV valve failed again. They replaced it under warrenty only because the tech said he should have replaced it 3 weeks ago in addition to the gasket, but they made pointed comments regarding my Forge. They gave me copies of the snapshot telemetry, and said that the motor was for some reason developing boost when it should have been in vacuum, and that was what caused the PCV valve to stick in the open position, possibly due to the Forge. Ill upload the sheets when I get home tomorrow. Sounds reasonable to me, but I would like opinions. Its an easy repair, and I have the part number, so if it goes again I can replace on my own. This also sounds like something the Pill could solve permenantly as well. Or should I just suck it up and use the DH to clear the code if it comes up again between now and when I need my emissions checked in September of 2010?

P0441 usually indicates a problem with the fuel filler cap or the purge solenoid valve.

Are you sure that it was the PCV valve that was replaced?

 

[BrianFiebig]

Yep, got the part numbers and everything. Checks out as the entire PCV assembly. First repair was just the solenoid, second repair was the filler cap gasket. This time it was the entire assembly. Ordering the Pill on Thursday. $25 once, or $250+ every 6 months? No brainer.

 

[Dano2010]

Yep, got the part numbers and everything. Checks out as the entire PCV assembly. First repair was just the solenoid, second repair was the filler cap gasket. This time it was the entire assembly. Ordering the Pill on Thursday. $25 once, or $250+ every 6 months? No brainer.

Forgive my ignorance but what is a "Pill"

 

[BrianFiebig]

http://www.pt-performance.com/showProduct.php?vID=3&cID=4&pID=260
That is the Pill.

 

[Dano2010]

oh yes, I saw that on their site while looking for their CDFP. The principal sounds good for preventing oil from getting past the turbo seals but u think it will prevent your CELs? Let me know how that part works out!!

 

[Carl.E]

Another P0441 victim

One more P0441 story and a couple of questions:

'07 MS3, 47k. No mods other than an MSCAI. Driving to work yesterday morning and my CEL came on for the first time in the life of the car. Just cruising on a surface street in light traffic. Engine never missed a beat.

Today I go to AutoZone to get it scanned, and it turns out they don't do that anymore in CA because 'dealerships were getting mad for losing business'. HA. Anyway, I figure I'm a mile from my dealership and my car is still under warranty, so might as well have them check it out for free. The service guy starts out nice and confirms the light is still on and while writing it up he says it's going to run me $179 just to scan it.

Me: What about the warranty, this is covered isn't it?
Service guy (looking at me like I'm an idiot): No, the warranty is only for 36k miles.
Me: I'm still under the 60k powertrain warranty.
Service guy: Yeah, but that's only for the powertrain.
Me: Isn't the engine part of the powertrain?
Service guy: Yeah...
Me: So why wouldn't reading the code for the Check Engine Light be covered?
Service guy: The light is part of the electrical system. It will be $179. Once we know what the problem is, that can be applied towards the cost of the repair.
Me: So it will be $179 just for you to scan it for me.
Service guy: Yes. We have to pay the technician for his time.
Me: That's ridiculous! It will literally take him 1 minute. I doubt techs make $10,000 per hour. I can go buy a scanner to do it myself for under $100.
Service guy (with a smirk on his face): Yes you can.
Me: Ok. Hang on a sec.

At this point I remember other places (PepBoys, AAMCO, etc) offering free scans as well when AutoZone advertised it. While still standing at the service counter, I look up the nearest PepBoys on my phone and find there is one only a couple miles away. I call and verify they still do free scans, which they do (making sure the service guy hears). I tell them I'll be right over, hang up, smile, politely tell him to have a nice day, and leave. (loser)

PepBoys scans it and its the P0441 code: evap system incorrect purge flow. After searching on here I find that can be triggered when either the evap system purge valve is broken or the gas cap isn't on properly.

My questions: I've checked the gas cap and it seems to be on properly. If something wasn't right with it and taking it off and putting it back on fixed it, will the CEL go out on its own or does it have to be cleared manually? Also, is the evap purge valve that is the other suspect covered under the powertrain warranty or the emissions warranty?

Thanks guys!
-Carl

 

[skallen]

How does that "pill" work? And how is it used/installed?