P0440 Evaporative Emission Purge Control Solenoid Damaged

CHANDLER EVANS

MEMBER
1997 LEXUS ES 300
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

I have no idea where to begin looking for the problem and the mechanics around here are talking about a $150 smoke test that may not even tell me the problem I cannot afford that what would you say I should do?

P0440
Evaporative Emission Purge Control Solenoid Damaged

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

If the solenoid is physically damaged, you know what is wrong and what needs to be replaced. End of story, and no need for a smoke test.

P0440 - Evaporative Emission Control System Malfunction

This fault code suggests there is an electrical problem with the solenoid or its wiring. That is totally different from a leaking solenoid. The smoke test could verify the valve is leaking, but then the fault code would refer to "small EVAP leak", which is a mechanical problem. This code says you have an electrical problem.

If you are going to pursue this yourself, I rarely approve of throwing random parts at a problem unless testing leads to that, but in this case, consider replacing the solenoid as a test. If it solves the problem, you'll have saved the cost of the diagnosis. If it doesn't, you'll have eliminated one of the things your mechanic needs to check.