Thread: CEL on 06 subaru impreza

Just looking for the collective to verify if my shop is screwing me or not.

Recently had it in for a 75k maintenance and recall on the emissions programming which updated the computer. Shortly after this, CEL came on and threw up p0456 (minor emissions leak). Checked gas cap, reset computer (needed a new battery anyway), threw up p0456 again. Took it back, the shop checked it out and found a strong gas smell near a valve on top of the fuel tank. Recommend dropping the tank and replacing the valves to the tune of $500.

I have noticed a strong gas smell when starting the car in the garage. I attributed it to starting rich due to the weak battery, but once replaced it didn't go away.

1. There's valves on top of the fuel tank?
2. $500?
3. Does this seem legit?
4. Does it fucking matter?

Not suby specific info, but yes, there are small EVAP (vapor recovery) tubes running from the fuel filler neck & tank all the way back to under the hood. If the leak is coming back after swapping out the gas cap, checking the EVAP canister and a smoke test of the evap system would be the best next steps. Once had a gross evap leak that ended up being a cracked piece of tubing coming off the fuel filler neck. Would have been almost impossible to find without smoke.

I have this issue in my pathfinder. Been told by both nissan and other shops that this is not an issue (aside from the annoying light), doesnt hurt the car in any measurable way. I was also told i would not pass inspection with it that way. It goes off from time to time...each time I needed an inspection (been lighting on and off for 3 years) when the light went off i'd bring it right down..it ALWAYS has passed. I have to get it inspected end of this month so we'll see again.

The stealership quoted me $500, smaller shops more like $300 so I dont think anyone is trying to fuck you.

Good luck. I personally bought a $60 device that will allow me to read/reset codes..much easier and cheaper than fixing.

Originally Posted by Skidog

I have this issue in my pathfinder. Been told by both nissan and other shops that this is not an issue (aside from the annoying light), doesnt hurt the car in any measurable way.

They are correct. The function of the EVAP system is to recover unburnt fuel vapor so it doesn't go into the environment.

I was also told i would not pass inspection with it that way. It goes off from time to time...each time I needed an inspection (been lighting on and off for 3 years) when the light went off i'd bring it right down..it ALWAYS has passed. I have to get it inspected end of this month so we'll see again.

EVAP is definitely one of the emissions control systems that are checked during an inspection, so presence of the p0456 would cause a car to fail. One thing about OBDII emissions systems & related codes: When the car senses an 'error' condition far enough out of range, it trips the CEL to let you know that you've got a problem. In the meantime, however, it will continue to monitor said systems, and after a certain # of drive cycles, if the error hasn't come back, it will clear the code & CEL - allowing you to pass the inspection. If you use a code reader to clear the code, then drive down to the inspection station, you'll also fail due to 'readiness'. When you clear an ODBII code, it sets the readiness counter back to 0, which tells the car to do a full test of the system. When that full test is complete, the readiness counter will be set to 1, and if the CEL isn't present you'll pass. If your pathfinder keeps on tripping the code, but then clearing the CEL on it's own, it's likely an intermittent issue, and the #1 intermittent issue with EVAP is a faulty fuel cap (or one that hasn't been screwed on tight enough).

The stealership quoted me $500, smaller shops more like $300 so I dont think anyone is trying to fuck you.

The fix *might* be even cheaper - the problem is finding it. You can probably find a garage with a smoke machine to smoke out the leak for $50-75. In my case, it ended up being a crack in a piece of tubing. I had to buy a 5' roll of the tubing for $6, and then used about 2" of it.

^^^This is spot on. Have the system smoked and if its not a faulty tube/connection, then the purge valve/solenoid is bad. This may be the "valve" they are talking about. Its a $50-$70 part. Or if you could care less, put a piece of black electrical tape over the CEL light.

Is the Subaru the most popular vehicle on this site, or just the one that breaks down the most? :]