Honda Element. Manual - part 491

YES -If the ECM/PCM was updated, troubleshooting is complete. If the ECM/PCM was substituted, 
replace the original ECM/PCM (see ECM/PCM REPLACEMENT ). If any other Temporary DTCs or 
DTCs were indicated in step 37, go to the INDICATED DTCS TROUBLESHOOTING. 

NO -If the screen indicates FAILED, check for poor connections or loose terminals at the FTP sensor and 
the ECM/PCM. If the ECM/PCM was updated, substitute a known-good ECM/PCM (see 
SUBSTITUTING THE ECM/PCM ), then go to step 36. If the ECM/PCM was substituted, go to step 1. 
If the screen indicates NOT COMPLETED, keep idling until a result comes on. 

DTC P0455: EVAP SYSTEM LARGE LEAK DETECTED; DTC P0456: EVAP SYSTEM VERY 
SMALL LEAK DETECTED 

Special Tools Required  

Vacuum pump/gauge, 0-30 in.Hg, Snap-on YA4000A or equivalent, commercially available 

1. Check the fuel fill cap (the cap must say "TIGHTEN TO CLICK"). It should turn 1/4 turn after it's tight, 

then it clicks. 

Is the correct fuel fill cap installed and properly tightened?  

YES -Go to step 2. 

NO -Replace or tighten the cap, then go to step 22. 

2. Check the fuel fill cap seal (A) and the fuel fill pipe mating surface (B). Verify that the fuel fill cap tether 

cord (C) is not caught under the cap. 

NOTE:

The fuel system is designed to allow specified maximum vacuum and pressure 
conditions. Do not deviate from the vacuum and pressure tests as indicated in 
these procedures. Excessive pressure/vacuum would damage the EVAP 
components or cause eventual fuel tank failure.

NOTE:



Before you troubleshoot, record all freeze data and any on-board 
snapshot, and review the general troubleshooting information (see 
GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION ).  



Fresh fuel has a higher volatility that will create greater pressure/vacuum. 
The optimum condition for testing is less than a full tank of fresh fuel. If 
possible, to assist in leak detection, add 1 gallon of fresh fuel to the tank 
(as long as it will not fill the tank) just before starting these procedures.  

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 ENGINE PERFORMANCE EVAP System - Element

  

Fig. 18: Identifying Fuel Fill Cap Seal, Fuel Fill Pipe Mating Surface And Fuel Fill Cap Tether 
Cord 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

Is the fuel fill cap seal missing or damaged, is the fuel fill pipe damaged, or is the tether cord caught 
under the cap?  

YES -Replace the fuel fill cap or the fuel fill pipe, then go to step 22. 

NO -Go to step 3. 

3. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).  

4. Clear the DTC with the HDS.  

5. Do the EVAP FUNCTION TEST in the INSPECTION MENU with the HDS. 

Is the result OK?  

YES -Intermittent failure, the system is OK at this time. Check for poor connections or loose terminals at 
the FTP sensor, the EVAP canister purge valve, or the EVAP canister vent shut valve and the ECM/PCM.

NO -Go to step 6. 

6. Turn the ignition switch OFF.  

7. Check for a poor connection or damage at the fuel tank vapor recirculation tube. 

Is the tube OK?  

YES -Go to step 8. 

NO - 



Replace the fuel tank vapor recirculation tube, then go to step 22.  



If necessary, replace the fuel tank (see FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT ), then go to step 22.  

8. Disconnect the fuel tank vapor recirculation tube (A) from the EVAP canister (B), and plug the EVAP 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 ENGINE PERFORMANCE EVAP System - Element

  

canister port (C). 

Fig. 19: Identifying Fuel Tank Vapor Recirculation Tube, EVAP Canister And EVAP Canister 
Port 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

9. Disconnect the vacuum hose (purge line) (A) from the EVAP canister purge valve in the engine 

compartment, and the vacuum pump/gauge, 0-30 in.Hg, to the hose as shown. 

Fig. 20: Identifying Vacuum Hose (Purge Line) 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

10. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).  

11. Select EVAP CVS ON in the INSPECTION MENU with the HDS.  

12. Apply vacuum to the hose until the FTP reads 1.90 V (--0.59 in.Hg, --15.1 mmHg). 

13. Monitor the FTP SENSOR in the DATA LIST for 1 minute with the HDS. 

NOTE:

Be careful not to exceed the vacuum. If you do, the FTP sensor can be 
damaged.

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 ENGINE PERFORMANCE EVAP System - Element

  

Does the voltage increase more than 0.2 V (0.1 in.Hg, 2.5 mmHg)?

YES -Go to step 14. 

NO -Go to step 19. 

14. Select EVAP CVS OFF in the INSPECTION MENU with the HDS.  

15. Disconnect the fresh air hoses (A) from the EVAP canister vent shut valve (B), and plug the EVAP 

canister vent shut valve port (C). 

Fig. 21: Identifying EVAP Canister Vent Shut Valve And Plug EVAP Canister Vent Shut Valve 
Port 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

16. Apply vacuum to the hose (disconnected in step 9) until the FTP reads 1.90 V (--0.59 in.Hg, --15.1 

mmHg). 

17. Monitor the FTP SENSOR in the DATA LIST for 1 minute with the HDS. 

Does the voltage increase more than 0.2 V (0.1 in.Hg, 2.5 mmHg)?  

YES -Go to step 18. 

NO -Replace the EVAP canister vent shut valve (see EVAP CANISTER VENT SHUT VALVE 
REPLACEMENT ), then go to step 21. 

18. Check for a loose or damaged EVAP canister purge line between the EVAP canister and the EVAP 

canister purge valve. 

Is the line OK?  

NOTE:

Be careful not to exceed the vacuum. If you do, the FTP sensor can be 
damaged.

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 ENGINE PERFORMANCE EVAP System - Element