P0442 CEL, not fixed by gas cap or purge valve

[Mazda3Blog]

Hey guys,

My current issue is a stubborn P0442 CEL that was not fixed by replacing gas cap and purge valve solenoid. I went with OEM for both parts.

Car does not have an issue starting or idling after filling up, but lately it has developed more vibrations between 800-1100 RPM. Had the vibration issue a few months before the P0442 CEL.

The vibrations may be unrelated due to my 2 year old E-focus RMM that is probably due for replacement, and my dual mass flywheel that might be on its way out (autocross is hard on mounts).

A while back I smelled a whiff of gas once while driving, but haven't smelled it since. There has never been any gas smell under the hood. Initially thought injector seals, but zero fuel smell there and no sign of leaking.

I'm leaning towards replacing the charcoal canister next.

Car is 2010 MS3 with 120,000 miles, mild Stratified tune.

Anyone fixed a P0442 that wasn't caused by gas cap or purge valve?

Thanks in advance!!!

[PapaBruno]

Originally Posted by Mazda3Blog Hey guys, My current issue is a stubborn P0442 CEL that was not fixed by replacing gas cap and purge valve solenoid. I went with OEM for both parts. Car does not have an issue starting or idling after filling up, but lately it has developed more vibrations between 800-1100 RPM. Had the vibration issue a few months before the P0442 CEL. The vibrations may be unrelated due to my 2 year old E-focus RMM that is probably due for replacement, and my dual mass flywheel that might be on its way out (autocross is hard on mounts). A while back I smelled a whiff of gas once while driving, but haven't smelled it since. There has never been any gas smell under the hood. Initially thought injector seals, but zero fuel smell there and no sign of leaking. I'm leaning towards replacing the charcoal canister next, and maybe the related pump (forget what it's called). Car is 2010 MS3 with 120,000 miles, mild Stratified tune. Anyone fixed a P0442 that wasn't caused by gas cap or purge valve? Thanks in advance!!!

Maybe fuel line? Maybe time for a valve cleaning? Not sure.
Sorry, I'm out of town on business with only my phone and am currently at a work event otherwise I'd try researching this a bit.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

[Mazda3Blog]

No worries, thanks for trying to help.

The code is P0442 MAZDA - Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected Small Leak.

Causes:

Missing or loose fuel cap
Incorrect fuel filler cap used
Bad seal on fuel cap
Purge Solenoid Valve
EVAP system hose leaking
EVAP charcoal canister
Fuel tank leak

I should also mention, the car was winter stored for 6 months this year. When I popped the hood, I noticed some mouse crap sitting on my intake heat shield. I wouldn't be surprised if the buggers took a bite out of one of my EVAP hoses under the hood, or under the car.

Code only started in April when it came out of storage, probably not a coincidence.

I'm basically going to troubleshoot in the order above unless someone has better advice. Ideally I'd buy a smoke pump but maybe I can visually spot an issue. Wish I had access to a lift.

Cheers

[tmillner]

Yeah smoke test is your best bet, code be a small leak you can't visually see

Sent from my SM-T587P using Tapatalk

[dvcn]

Mazda3Blog-
Has this been resolved?

[Mazda3Blog]

Originally Posted by dvcn Mazda3Blog- Has this been resolved?

Has not been resolved yet. Most likely charcoal canister or an evap line that was pierced by a rodent.

Since it doesn't affect the way the car runs, it has not been a priority. It will be resolved in the next month or so, now that I made friends with a Mazda master tech that does work on the side. Just an annoying CEL.

Passed local e-test after resetting ECU and having evap system showing as not ready.

My idle vibrations that I mentioned turned out to be a bad flywheel in the end. Expensive repair, but car idles beautifully now. Went with Luk DMF for 1/3 the price of OEM from Rockauto.

For those interested, I got 125,000 hard miles out of my OEM flywheel, no complaints there.

[dvcn]

Originally Posted by Mazda3Blog My idle vibrations that I mentioned turned out to be a bad flywheel in the end. Expensive repair, but car idles beautifully now. Went with Luk DMF for 1/3 the price of OEM from Rockauto. For those interested, I got 125,000 hard miles out of my OEM flywheel, no complaints there.

How did the flywheel get damaged?!

[Mazda3Blog]

Originally Posted by dvcn How did the flywheel get damaged?!

Dual mass flywheels eventually fail, it's a wear and tear item. There are springs inside the flywheel that wear out, more complex than just a piece of metal. It's becoming a fairly common issue with this engine as we get into higher mileage.

Tracking and autocross seems to reduce dual mass flywheel life, but I still got 125,000 miles of hard driving out of mine.

A buddy of mine with a 2011 speed had his flywheel go out with no tracking/autocross at 100,000 miles. Same symptoms of increased vibrations and difficulty getting into gears.

If you change your clutch, might as well replace the flywheel because it will need to be done eventually.

[dvcn]

Thanks for the information!

[ABOSWORTH]

Did you ever find out what this was? I have been getting this P0442 code intermittently over the past few months. I replaced the Purge Valve and it went away for about a month but now the code has reared it's ugly head again. I will probably replace the gas cap, though it seems completely fine.

[Mazda3Blog]

Originally Posted by Mazda3Blog Hey guys, My current issue is a stubborn P0442 CEL that was not fixed by replacing gas cap and purge valve solenoid. I went with OEM for both parts. Car does not have an issue starting or idling after filling up, but lately it has developed more vibrations between 800-1100 RPM. Had the vibration issue a few months before the P0442 CEL. The vibrations may be unrelated due to my 2 year old E-focus RMM that is probably due for replacement, and my dual mass flywheel that might be on its way out (autocross is hard on mounts). A while back I smelled a whiff of gas once while driving, but haven't smelled it since. There has never been any gas smell under the hood. Initially thought injector seals, but zero fuel smell there and no sign of leaking. I'm leaning towards replacing the charcoal canister next. Car is 2010 MS3 with 120,000 miles, mild Stratified tune. Anyone fixed a P0442 that wasn't caused by gas cap or purge valve? Thanks in advance!!!

In case anyone digs up this thread in the future, the solution ended up being the vapor canister vent solenoid on the gas tank.

It's a common issue on 2010-2013 Mazda3's. PN is LF3T18741, it's quite costly in labor to access since it's on top of the tank.

[Jeff23spl]

Originally Posted by Mazda3Blog In case anyone digs up this thread in the future, the solution ended up being the vapor canister vent solenoid on the gas tank. It's a common issue on 2010-2013 Mazda3's. PN is LF3T18741, it's quite costly in labor to access since it's on top of the tank.

thanks, i have it for my 2013 sky....is the tank accessible below the rear seat or you need to remove it ?

[Mazda3Blog]

Originally Posted by Jeff23spl thanks, i have it for my 2013 sky....is the tank accessible below the rear seat or you need to remove it ?

The part is not accessible from inside the car, you don't have to remove the tank but it does need to be dropped on an angle to get room I believe.

[Jeff23spl]

ok thanks, i will look at that sometimes during winter...i am also considering the canister could be be full of fuel because when i refill, i like to add few more liters after the first clic to make more distance but i heard this could happen to...

[Mazda3Blog]

Originally Posted by Jeff23spl ok thanks, i will look at that sometimes during winter...i am also considering the canister could be be full of fuel because when i refill, i like to add few more liters after the first clic to make more distance but i heard this could happen to...

@Jeff23spl;, I think you're on to something. I believe my issue started the first time I was storing the car for the winter and almost forgot to add fuel stabilizer.

Added the stabilizer and tried to top off an almost full tank to mix it up. Went 1 or 2 clicks past full which I never do.

Started having this CEL after that and it never went away until I replaced the vent solenoid. Maybe the solenoid gets damaged from overfilling?

[Mazda3Blog]

Forgot to add, had over 2 years of intermittent P0442 which eventually turned into a full time P0443 CEL. All was fixed by canister vent solenoid.

[Jeff23spl]

I'm pretty sure evap system is made the same on all second gen...
The facts are, i overfilled a 2012 for 2 years without issues and then, switched for this 2013 and it started after about 10 refils....
i was aware of possible problems related to overfilling but i would be surprise if liquid fuel damage a valve designed to manage fuel vapors....
On the other hand, my wife cx7 also have the same problem....
a lot to practice to come....