2001 Dodge Caravan with Trouble Code P0455

Well there's no easy fix here. Your PCM indicated that when attempting to pressurize the EVAP system, it couldn't because of a large leak. So any component could be a factor here. First you could crawl under your van and visually inspect any hoses around the right portion of the fuel tank for cracks. I've had a caravan with a cracked hose on top of the fuel tank. That's not something you're gonna be able to see from under the car. Check your gas cap is on tight. These have a special 'leak detection pump' (LDP) and I've personally found one bad before. Do a visual inspection first and, if, no dice there, then there are some other possiblities. Vent solenoid leak, purge sol. leak, vapor canister leak.

Check some of the other posts in the forums for that code and evap leaks on chrylsers. I've been through alot. Start with the emissions decal under the hood and start at the service port lines around the air box and follow them to under the van, any line that is cracked or split will throw that code. Or take it in and have it smoke testted, pretty straightforward stuff! I do them all day here!

Hello and my thanks to "Darkrooms" and "Jeff Compton" for your suggestions on where to start looking for this "Gross Evaporative Leak". I've been lucky in the past with doing my own little type of "Smoke Test". The first time the light came on with the P0455 trouble code the problem was a molded "L-shaped" hose under the van that was broken at the "L". The second time the culprit was a short, but straight "molded" type hose under the hood and required removing the air box to get to because it's under the cowl. The hose had two different diameters and was broken right where the diameters change. When I do my smoke test this time, the only place that I see some smoke coming out of is that valve that's mounted on the vapor cannister under the van (driver's side). Can you tell me if that's the "LDV" and should there be smoke coming out of it when I do the test? Thanks, Bob G.

it will always leak out of there without the scanner hooked to it to put the system in a sealled state! That part called the ldp solenoid can go bad though and throw leak codes without the systme actaully leaking externally! It will end up with a system internal leak becuase the pressure drops off through it. Put a vaccum pump on the valve and apply15-20 hg, it should hold. If it doesn't then replace it!

Hi Jeff, I read your reply this afternoon and went right out to check out the LDV. One small problem: I don't know where it is exactly. I thought it was that solenoid in the engine compartment right side under the radiator support that has one of two hoses going to the service port, but that must be something else. I have an '01 Caravan factory service manual, and although it tells you how to replace it, they don't show a very good picture of its location. While I was working on it, I checked out just about everything else from front to rear including the lines going to the top of the fuel tank and fuel filler neck as well. Could you tell me where this LDV on this vehicle? It's a 2001 with the 3.3 V-6, flex-fuel and made in your own home town. Thanks in advance, Bob G.

You will need to raise the van and get under the cross-member area. You should see it towards the center by the steering gear.

Im pretty sure that the Leak detectino pump is at the right side of the fuel tank under the car.

Hello Jeff, Darkrooms & Andywheelz, My thanks to all of you for helping me out with trouble code 0455. I finally found the LDP and checked it out, but it was fine. Even took it apart and could find nothing wrong with it. I checked out all the related hoses and they were all fine. Then I re-mounted the purge valve next to the radiator since the service manual states that it HAS to be mounted correctly in order to operate properly (mine had a bent bracket and was pointing downward so I thought that was the problem. I reset the computer and the light stayed off for about 2 days (or about 50 miles), but it came back on again yesterday. So here's the good news: I found the problem a little while ago and figured I should share it with you all. It turned out to be a small "L" shaped hose that's connected to one of the two the plastic lines that runs from the purge valve, along the bottom of the air filter box and rearward towards the cowl. This is the line that turns right and goes into the engine 's air box and the "L" hose connects between the line and the nipple on the air box. It was not only cracked, but split down the middle as well. Three months ago it was the same thing with another rubber hose in the same location, basically, that connects to the other plastic line next to this one (the one that the "service port" tees into. It too, was underneath the cowl. This a very short but straight hose and I had a lot of trouble making one since it had to be of a different diameter at each end. I made one because I couldn't see wasting a trip to the Dealership for that one little oddball hose, but now I need two oddball hoses so I'll get them tomorrow. I reset the computer and so far, so good, but I guess I'll really know after about 50 miles or so. Hope this info. can help somebody else with the same problem. Thanks once again guys, Regards, BobG

very common problem area

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. Wish I knew that before I pulled off a charged fuel line back near the fuel tank, thinking it was an evaporative emissions line. It's been a while since I've had a gasoline bath. Still gets the grease off pretty good, though. By the way, I have a cousin that works for a very large Dodge / Chrysler Dealership in Montreal and specializes in diagnostics. I guess you're wondering why I just didn't call him, but I wouldn't feel right since we haven't seen or talked to each other in a couple of years. I'd feel a little funny calling him up after a couple of years and saying: Hi, how you doing, how's the wife and kids. By the way, I having a problem with my van.....". Thanks once again, BobG

What dealer is that Bob? I wouldn't like to say I specialize in diagnostics so much as I'm just better at then alot of others! Not being arrogant you just have to be a sucker for punishment! I imaghine your cousin can get pretty grumpy like me as well sometimes!

Hi Jeff, You're probably right, I must be a sucker for punishment after what I've been through with this thing for the last week and working on the ground, no less. My cousin is only in his late 30's so I figure he's got a ways to go before he starts getting grumpy (like me). Anyway, I can't remember the name of the Dealership and again, I'd feel funny calling him and asking, since we haven't talked to each other in a few years. He lives in Laval and I know it's not more than 10 minutes to where he lives (maybe "Boulevard"?) . He took me through the shop back in 2001 and it's very large. I think I remember it having at least three driveway aisles inside. According to him, it is the largest in Montreal. Jeff, I hope I didn't offend you by using the word "specializes" earlier as that was NOT my intention at all. If I offended you, I truly apologize. When I was up there in 2001, he had told me that since he's been there, he has advanced from the regular tech work to diagnostics and had just been advanced to "transmission" diagnostics. As an employee yourself, you could probably translate this better than the mess I'm making of it here. I just figured that in being able to make those types of advances, a person must be a specialist of sorts. Again, my apologies. Regards, Bob G.

No offense taken bob! Just I am a chrysler specialist in all facets of them! Diag etc! Transmissions believe it or not are getting better, not easier to diag just better built! Your cousin and I could probably sure start a couple of rants that would make the paint peel with the profanities!

Just paid $375 to replace my gas fill tube it leaked about one inch down from the gas cap right were the inside tube is spot welded to the out side tube. They said this is common and always have a new spair on the shelf.

Thank you all guys. And then, that a forum exists. I'm from New York. And bought an old car. 12 years of age. Went to the shop. There they began to grow the money on me. Talking about the terrible history and the intricacies of code. So my verdict was.. at the start of 700 bucks. But thanks to you, I now see where my problem is hidden.