I have a heavy fuel smell coming from around the vapor canister and a cel with an evap code. Suspect its the evap canister purge control valve. It clicks constantly. Is it supposed to do that? I am new to Honda but I know they are great vehicles. BTW its a 1998 Accord coupe LX 3.0 v6

 

Do you keep pumping gas in, after the pump clicks off? Not a good idea if you are.

 

I did a couple of times. Then realized that was bad for it. The cel came on and I got the code checked and I replaced the fuel cap with an after market. It went off after about a half tank then came back on. I read the a.m. caps aren't great so I went to the dealer and got one. still no help. Am I looking in the right direction?

1998 Accord LXV6

 

I also need to change the CV boots, if not the whole outer shaft and joint. I have heard it is quite easy on this model. Is there supposed to be any play in the joint when there is pressure applied to it? I haven't checked them yet, just know the boots are compromised due to grease on the inside of the wheels.

1998 Accord Coupe LXV6

 

Which EVAP code did you get? Why did you replace the fuel cap?

P1456 is EVAP leak in the fuel tank system. The fuel cap is one potential location for the leak on that code, but there's quite a few other possibilities.

P1457 is EVAP leak in the canister system. The fuel cap won't do anything for that code. Smelling fuel around the canister points to P1457, but I'll let you confirm the code number.

Assuming P1457, you can check all around the canister for disconnect or leaking vacuum hoses. There's a couple solenoid valves an a 3-way valve that might be the reason, as well as the EVAP purge valve up in the engine compartment. The troubleshooting flowchart is about 6 pages in the shop manual. But a common failure is the EVAP vent-shut valve on the outboard end of the canister.

 

If the CV boot has been torn open for awhile, you have to wonder if it got dirt in there; in which case you might want to replace the axle.

In fact, many people just replace the axles simply because axles are not all that expensive.

 

you probably saturated the charcoal canister, it may clear itself out or you may have to replace it.

 

How long would it take to clear out? Will topping it off "after the click" do that?

 

What was the code?

This smell is from under the hood or from the rear of the car-----about where the rear seat is?

 

It's p1456

It's under the car below the rear seat around the canister. I took the tank access cover off yesterday and it doesn't smell above the tank and its dry. Thought maybe the fuel pump seal may be leaking, but it isn't