Sooner or later, a P0441: Evaporative Control System Insufficient Purge Flow is gonna' light up the check engine light, since it's usually caused by a loose or missing gas cap -but not always.
In this tutorial, I'll explain what this trouble code means. I'll also talk about some of the tests you can perform to find its cause (and solution) in case a loose gas cap is not the source of the problem.
Contents of this tutorial:
You can find this tutorial in Spanish here: Código P0441 ¿Qué Significa? (1995-1997 2.2L Honda Accord y Odyssey) (at: autotecnico-online.com).
APPLIES TO: This tutorial, on the P0441 OBD II trouble code, applies to the following vehicles:
- 2.2L Honda Accord (DX, EX, LX): 1995, 1996, 1997.
- 2.2L Honda Odyssey: 1995, 1996, 1997.
What Does Trouble Code P0441 Mean?
A P0441: Evaporative Control System Insufficient Purge Flow means that fuel vapors are escaping into the atmosphere from the gas tank.
Unfortunately, a P0441 trouble code does not indicate which specific component, of the EVAP system, is the one that's causing the problem.
Common Symptoms Of A P0441 Trouble Code
Generally, a problem with the EVAP system does not cause any driveability issues, other than an illuminated check engine light on the instrument panel.
Although the EVAP system problem causing the P0441 trouble code, doesn't affect engine performance, it should be diagnosed and resolved.
Come emissions test time, a P0441 trouble code will cause the vehicle to fail it.
What Does The EVAP System Do?
The purpose of the evaporative emission control (EVAP) system is to capture the fuel tank vapors and prevent them from escaping into the ambient air (the atmosphere).
The EVAP system, on the 1996-1997 2.2L Honda Accord and Odyssey vehicles, consists of following basic components:
- Gas cap.
- Fuel tank.
- EVAP vent solenoid.
- Fuel tank pressure sensor.
- Fuel pipes and hoses.
- Vapor lines.
- EVAP emission canister (charcoal canister).
- Purge lines.
- EVAP purge control solenoid.
NOTE: It's important that you consult your vehicle's emissions label and a repair manual to find out which components make up the EVAP system on your specific Accord or Odyssey.
What Causes A P0441 Trouble Code?
In many cases, this trouble code appears after fueling the vehicle and not tightening the gas cap enough.
If the gas cap is nice and tight, the following can cause a P0441 trouble code to light up the check engine light:
- Damaged/incorrect gas cap.
- Damaged/leaking EVAP system hose.
- Bad canister purge control valve.
- Damaged/broken EVAP emission canister (charcoal canister).
- Damaged/leaking fuel tank.
- Leaking fuel tank hoses.
How To Find Out What Components Make Up The EVAP System
To find out which components make up the EVAP system on your particular 2.2L Honda Accord (Odyssey), you'll need to consult:
- The vacuum hose routing diagram that is part of your vehicle emissions label (which is glued to your vehicle's hood). The images in the image viewer show the vehicle emissions label of 1996 2.2L Honda Accord.
- A repair manual.
The vehicle emissions label will only list some of the components that make up the one EVAP system (usually just the ones connected to engine vacuum only).
This is why you'll need to consult a repair manual to find a complete list of the EVAP system components for your particular vehicle.
How To Diagnose And Repair A P0441 Trouble Code
Troubleshooting and solving a trouble code P0441 involves locating and replacing the EVAP system component that is leaking fuel vapors into the atmosphere.
To find the component causing the P0441 trouble code, I recommend the following tests:
- Visually inspect the gas cap for damage or a worn gasket.
- Visually inspect all EVAP system hoses for damage/fuel/vacuum leaks.
- Check the operation of the EVAP purge valve solenoid.
- Visually inspect the EVAP emission canister for damage.
Replace any component that is damaged.
In some cases, the fuel tank has to be lowered (and possibly removed) to check:
- Fuel lines: These are the fuel lines that connect to the fuel tank sending unit.
- EVAP system hose: This is the vapor hose/line that connects to the fuel tank sending unit (this hose/line is the one that carries the fuel vapors to the EVAP emission canister).
- Fuel tank sending unit gasket: This is the gasket that sits between the fuel sending unit assembly and the gas tank. Check it for cracks and/or damage.
- Fuel tank pressure sensor: This is the sensor that measures the fuel tank pressure and if there's any loss (of pressure) tells the fuel injection computer that there's a leak in the EVAP system.
- Fuel filler hose: This hose connects the fuel filler neck to the gas tank and has two hose clamps that should be check for looseness.
More 2.2L Honda Accord Tutorials
You can find a complete list of 2.2L Honda tutorials in this index:
Here's a small sample of the tutorials you'll find in the index:
- How To Test The MAP Sensor (1994-1997 2.2L Accord, Odyssey, Prelude).
- How To Test The Head Gasket (1992-1997 2.2L Accord, Odyssey, Prelude).
- How To Test The Engine Compression (1992-1997 2.2L Accord, Odyssey, Prelude).
- How Often Should I Replace The Spark Plugs? (2.2L Honda Accord).
If this info saved the day, buy me a beer!
