2001 3.0 smoke test, any pointers?

[Summers22]

Going to run a smoke test on my RWD 01 Ranger 3.0. Getting a persistent P0455 code. Where would be the best location to tie into the evap system? Any youtube links are helpful as well as I have never attempted this type of troubleshooting. Thanks

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

There is a test port and you can get an adapter for the Evap for like $20 on EBay. Test port should have a green cap on it, maybe grey, and be located on the drivers fender liner under the brake master cylinder, somewhere in that area.

Not sure about yours but it’s probably what I’ve dealt with, the Evap line that runs to the rear is partly made of steel and tends to rot over time. Want to say it’s a 1/2” line. I got some 1/2” fuel resistant rubber line and a coil of aluminum 1/2” line and rebuilt the factory line like that. It runs along the inside of the drivers frame rail.

 

[Summers22]

Thanks a bunch, Google told me the test ports started in 2003, I will inspect that line. I'm hoping its not a line on top of the fuel tank. The one repair done to this truck before me was a fuel pump and I can visually see a portion of fuel hose, that is not OEM, so I hope to rule that out because I have rusted bed bolts, what a chore.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Thanks a bunch, Google told me the test ports started in 2003, I will inspect that line. I'm hoping its not a line on top of the fuel tank. The one repair done to this truck before me was a fuel pump and I can visually see a portion of fuel hose, that is not OEM, so I hope to rule that out because I have rusted bed bolts, what a chore.

Test ports were at least as far back as 98, because every 98-11 that I’ve been under the hood had it in the same spot.

I see your rusted bed bolts and raise you what my F-150 has (not by my hand), and what my 92 Ranger had (I resolved that)… carriage bolts tack welded to the bed…

 

[Summers22]

I got 2 bolts out, 3 wouldn't budge and 1 had a torx bit snapped off flush in it. I'll find the port and think about the adapter. I was hoping to have a spot to hook into that didn't require anything other than the smoke machine.

 

[danielschudel]

I ran a smoke test on my evap system a few weeks back. I didn't bother with the test port. Rather pulled each of the hoses going to the evap purge valve and injected smoke that way.

I wasn't chasing a code. I had a strong raw fuel smell. Black tubing on top of the fuel pump assembly had rotted wide open. I could get the old off and new on without removing the bed or dropping the fuel tank.

 

[Summers22]

Fuel pump seal or hose leaking?

 

[Summers22]

Well upon further testing, its not any of those 3 hoses, smoke is pouring out of the ring/gasket. So it appears the fuel pump gasket is bad and needs replaced. Would that cause a P0455 consistently? I had to plug the vent hose on the charcoal canister and thats when I saw the smoking coming from the top of the retaining ring. I saw no other leaks.

 

[SenorNoob]

It should. It's exactly the description of the code...

 

[Summers22]

Well we will see after a new gasket is installed.

 

[Summers22]

Well wasnt the gasket. Put a new sensor on the charcoal canister filter, hopefully that's it.

 

[Summers22]

I'm at a loss. Previously replaced the purge valve, Motorcraft gas cap, did a smoke test and replaced the gas tank o-ring on the fuel pump, no more leaks, light stayed off for 200 miles, then came back. Replaced the vapor canister purge solenoid and 5 miles later, light is back on again. Need more suggestions please. Mods moved this EVAP question to this 3.0 engine section where it sees little traffic now.....My engine runs perfectly, got 22mpg last tank.

 

[SenorNoob]

Is it still the same code?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I'm at a loss. Previously replaced the purge valve, Motorcraft gas cap, did a smoke test and replaced the gas tank o-ring on the fuel pump, no more leaks, light stayed off for 200 miles, then came back. Replaced the vapor canister purge solenoid and 5 miles later, light is back on again. Need more suggestions please. Mods moved this EVAP question to this 3.0 engine section where it sees little traffic now.....My engine runs perfectly, got 22mpg last tank.

Oof. Sometimes it can be a challenge and the codes/computer aren’t always as helpful as we would like. My green Ranger never threw an EVAP code from the point when I bought it used till I swapped drivetrains. When I had the engine and trans out, I discovered the EVAP line that runs along the frame from the engine bay back to the tank was rotted apart. Huge holes. No “large Evap leak” code. I replaced it with aluminum tube and rubber line. Now I have an EVAP leak code… maybe I shouldn’t have fixed it? lol…

I’ve asked before for a fuel system/EVAP forum section since that’s not really engine specific. It hasn’t happened. So fuel system questions go into the specific engine forum section. There’s no other good place to put them.

 

[Summers22]

Yes, P0455. When I got the truck, I had several codes, this was never one. I replaced the underhood purge valve (whatever my reasoning was a year ago, possibly and idle or vac issue). Then a short time later, I noticed the gas tank to charcoal canister was not connected. It seems after I connected it, the code started to appear. I think today I am going to disconnect it again and see if/when the code comes back. If it doesn't, I may replace the charcoal canister. There is also a box that a hose goes from, to the solenoid, but that box is impossible to find and the one I did find, says 04-08 Ranger.

vapor canister purge valve fuel vapour separator​