2004 Nissan Pathfinder Vapor Recovery system problem

Tiny
KEN TESTA
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 NISSAN PATHFINDER
  • 89,000 MILES
I have a 2004 Nissan Pathfinder SE with V6 and 4WD. Service engine light came on. Had it checked at Autozone. Came up as Vapor recovery problem (leak). I smoke tested the system using a home made smoke machine. Smoke poured out of Purge Valve at rear of car. Removed purge valve bracket and purge valve. Purge valve severely corroded and in 2 pieces. Replaced valve. Light still on. I removed vacuum hose at rear of car coming from engine. No vacuum. I removed hose at outlet of vacuum solenoid valve on top of engine. No vacuum. I put 12 volts on terminals o f solenoid valve. Valve opened and there was vacuum at the rear of the car. Checked for voltage on plug to solenoid valve on intake man. 11 volts but valve doesn't open when I plug it back into valve. I bypassed the solenoid valve and I have vacuum at rear of car. I hear air being sucked in at the round vent thing behind the canister with the three large hoses going to it. One hose goes into vehicle frame. The round thing has a white vent on it and that is where air is being sucked in. Any ideas on the vacuum valve on the engines intake or if the vent in rear of car should be sucking air in. I'm lost! Thanks.
Wednesday, September 25th, 2013 AT 2:29 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
There is only going to be vacuum to the rear of the car when the computer turns on the canister purge solenoid on the engine to let vacuum go back there. You won't have constant vacuum to the tank. As far as vacuum coming out of the vent valve? That will leak until the computer closes it. When you smoke test it you must close the vent valve first then smoke it an look for leaks. What is the exact code numbers you have not code descriptions?
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2013 AT 3:01 PM
Tiny
KEN TESTA
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The initial code indicated vapor recovery system leak. I don't recall the actual code(s) but I did the smoke test and found the purge valve to be broke in two pieces with the plastic tube connection piece broken off the solenoid. I replaced the valve nut the service light didn't go out after about a 10 days of use so I pulled her back into autozone and they connect their analyzer and got code P1490
The definition of the code is Vacuum Cut Valve (circuit)
the probable causes given are:
1) open or short circuit condition
2) Failed vacuum cut valve bypass valve

I looked up the image of the vacuum cut bypass valve and it's the round white plastic device that is interconnect to the purge valve that I just replaced. When I bought the purge valve from the Nissan Dealer Parts Dept (I couldn't find it at any auto parts store) they asked me if I wanted to replace the vacuum cut bypass valve also. I asked for a price and it was $123 so I passed. I looked it over and it seemed in fair condition. After getting the 1490 code at Autozone this morning I removed the purge valve mounting plate and took a good look at the vacuum cut valve. Seemed OK so I tried sucking on the inlet side and it held vacuum. When I energized the purge valve the vacuum into the cut valve released. That is to say that I could blow on the inlet line of the cut out valve and air flowed freely but when I sucked on it nothing. It would not allow any air to pass under vacuum until I actuated the new purge which connects to the cut out valve by two hoses. Once I energized the purge valve the vacuum I was putting on the cut out valve released. Does that sound correct? Maybe it is fixed and the service engine light needs time to reset. I removed the battery cable for a while and reconnected it but the service engine light came back on Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2013 AT 3:27 PM
Tiny
KEN TESTA
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OK so now I left the battery disconnected for an hour re hooked the tubes correctly the main vacuum solenoid valve on the engine and restarted the car. No engine light went out, Is that just temporary? I guess I'll drive it and see if it comes back on which I fear it will.
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2013 AT 3:40 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Here's what I would do have auto zone clear the code with there code reader and let's see if the code comes back?Emission codes stay in memory for a while. Also the valve you replaced was back by the gas tank? That would be the vent valve the solenoid that controls the vacuum to the tank at the engine area is the canister purge valve.
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2013 AT 3:40 PM
Tiny
KEN TESTA
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  • 7 POSTS
OH! Yea I changed the one in the rear of the car high up behind the fuel tank. It has two tubes that go about 4 inches to a round device that has a total of 4 tubes on it. They are both mounted on a plate that is removed by removing the 10 mm hex heads bolts. That valve was shot. In two pieces and smoked like crazy when I pumped smoke into the system. Everything looks pretty tight right now. I checked all connections and hoses and all looks good. I haven't done a second smoke test after I changed the valve but If an additional leak code comes up I'll pump it up again. Everything is connected back to normal and tight. Service light went out after I left battery disconnected for an hour. I'll drive it and see if the light comes back on. If it does I'll shoot over to the Zone and have them read the code again and I'll let you know what they find. In the mean time thanks for the assistance. Ken
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2013 AT 3:51 PM
Tiny
KEN TESTA
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Yes! I just checked the paper work from Nissan on the valve I purchased. It is listed as vapor canister solenoid valve.
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-1
Wednesday, September 25th, 2013 AT 3:54 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Your welcome thats what were here for. Gm calls them vent valves that's what I have worked on for many years. As long as we know what each other is talking about. That's all that's important.
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2013 AT 3:59 PM
Tiny
KEN TESTA
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Do you think the light will stay out.
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2013 AT 4:06 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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If you found that valve rotted out you could have very well have found the problem. I would like you to get the codes cleared with the code reader at auto zone. So we have a clean slate to start with.
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2013 AT 4:21 PM
Tiny
KEN TESTA
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Ok. I'll do that. Thanks again for the help. I have to get it inspected before the end of the month and I really can't afford a big repair bill right now. Ken
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2013 AT 4:59 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Do you have a smog test where you live where there measure your tail pipe emissions?
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2013 AT 5:07 PM

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