"Evaporative system not ready" question

[Uncle Ben]

My car failed inspection for emissions because of the above messge
from the PCM. I tightened my filler cap and am waiting for the
message to go away.

How long should I wait before deciding that there really is a problem?

Uncle Ben
1999 2.5L OBW

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

My car failed inspection for emissions because of the above messge
from the PCM. I tightened my filler cap and am waiting for the
message to go away.

How long should I wait before deciding that there really is a problem?

Uncle Ben
1999 2.5L OBW

It could take several drive cycles. If by chance you only make extremely
short trips which do not allow the car to warm-up, it may not clear.
Otherwise, probably 8-12 drive cycles. Or you might use a scanner or
battery disconnection to clear the CEL. But keep in mind there will be
'not ready' states that would disallow an emissions test should one be
attempted immediately.

someone here may know exactly how many drive cycles.

Carl

 

[Uncle Ben]

It could take several drive cycles. If by chance you only make extremely
short trips which do not allow the car to warm-up, it may not clear.
Otherwise, probably 8-12 drive cycles. Or you might use a scanner or
battery disconnection to clear the CEL. But keep in mind there will be
'not ready' states that would disallow an emissions test should one be
attempted immediately.

someone here may know exactly how many drive cycles.

Carl

Thanks, Carl. But I finally got the info elswhere, in case anyone
else is interested.

The main reason I couldn't get the test to run is a curious fact I
found online: The evaporative system test will not run at all while
the gas tank is almost full or is almost empty. The maximum is 85%.
I don't remember the minimum.

So I stopped topping off the tank (which I was doing for an unrelated
reason), and in two driving cycles, I was ready for a re-test -- which
was passed OK.

Uncle Ben