P0440 troubleshooting... I over filled my fuel tank a few weeks ago

[Displaced Texan]

Took a cross country trip in June hauling my travel trailer with my wife and 2 year old. Trying to stay on schedule with a 2 year old on a 5k mile trip lead to some mistakes....

1st I filled up fuel at a rather busy Love's stop and forgot to close the gas cap before pulling out of the gas lane to find parking for the truck and trailer before going inside. We came back out to the truck, close the cap and went on our way, but the check engine light was on, and gave us a P0440 code. No biggie, cleared the code and drive the rest of the trip with no issues. A few days later I over filled the fuel tank, but didn't immediately cause a check engine light, but it came back about 2k miles later. I've cleared it three times, but now it keeps coming back every 50-100 miles. I'm thinking it could be the charcoal cannister

SHORT VERSION: I overfill my fuel tank, I think that is causing my P0440 code. I'm thinking it could be the charcoal cannister. Is there a way to clean/purge it or will ot have to be a swap. Or is there a different candidate I should be looking at?

Thanks

 

[Dodge 1500 4X4]

By overfilling you may have done damage to evap canister vent filter located on the side of the filler neck.

 

[Atcer2018]

Took a cross country trip in June hauling my travel trailer with my wife and 2 year old. Trying to stay on schedule with a 2 year old on a 5k mile trip lead to some mistakes....

1st I filled up fuel at a rather busy Love's stop and forgot to close the gas cap before pulling out of the gas lane to find parking for the truck and trailer before going inside. We came back out to the truck, close the cap and went on our way, but the check engine light was on, and gave us a P0440 code. No biggie, cleared the code and drive the rest of the trip with no issues. A few days later I over filled the fuel tank, but didn't immediately cause a check engine light, but it came back about 2k miles later. I've cleared it three times, but now it keeps coming back every 50-100 miles. I'm thinking it could be the charcoal cannister

SHORT VERSION: I overfill my fuel tank, I think that is causing my P0440 code. I'm thinking it could be the charcoal cannister. Is there a way to clean/purge it or will ot have to be a swap. Or is there a different candidate I should be looking at?

Thanks

I see you are in Virginia. Anywhere close to VA Beach/Chesapeake? I have a brand new charcoal canister for a 1500 that I ordered over a year ago. It arrived with a broken connection. I notified BAM wholesale who sold the unit and they shipped a replacement. The broken one looks like it could be repaired with epoxy. It’s yours if you want it as it just sits in my garage still in factory box.

 

[Displaced Texan]

Thank you! I do live near there, just on the other side of the HRBT. I sent you a message

 

[Travelin Ram]

You’re going to repair a part that can leak fuel with epoxy?

I wouldn’t.

 

[Atcer2018]

Thank you! I do live near there, just on the other side of the HRBT. I sent you a message

I replied to your message. Here are a few pics of the canister and the broken connection.

 

[Atcer2018]

You’re going to repair a part that can leak fuel with epoxy?

I wouldn’t.

Fuel vapor. It’s the EVAP charcoal canister. JB weld is also fuel and solvent resistant. Fiberglass patch may work also. The connection is not under any stress or load and carries no fluid.

 

[Travelin Ram]

Fuel vapor. It’s the EVAP charcoal canister. JB weld is also fuel and solvent resistant. Fiberglass patch may work also. The connection is not under any stress or load and carries no fluid.

Fuel vapor is flammable. And you didn’t install it on your vehicle.

But I don’t have anything at stake, so I’ll make no further comment. The OP has the info, and he’s an adult.

 

[Atcer2018]

Fuel vapor is flammable. And you didn’t install it on your vehicle.

But I don’t have anything at stake, so I’ll make no further comment. The OP has the info, and he’s an adult.

If I had damaged the unit I would have attempted the repair and used the unit. I didn’t install it on my vehicle because it was damaged during shipping and the supplier replaced it and didn’t want the damaged one back. Ram dealers can’t sell damaged parts. Isn’t it a common complaint with evap systems leaking including the charcoal canister? I’m gonna disagree with your assessment but as you state it’s up to the OP.

 

[jagman_xjs]

I over fill my truck at times because premium is cheaper some places than others. So far I have had no problems but will keep this in mind. Hopefully you can repair your old and or find a repair method that saves you from buying a new one. Also I have to burn premium because I have sc my RAM.

 

[Gary Fields]

I had a Mitsubishi that got overfilled and threw codes. I replaced the charcoal canister and it fixed it. Out of curiosity I cut open the old one and found the filter media soaked and matted. They are designed to store vapors and then burn them. This adds very little fuel t o the engine on normal operation. Once matted and full of liquid fuel it adds enough fuel to make engine run rich. Years ago the canisters were in the engine compartment and rarely got liquid fuel in them. Today they are placed in the read to save engine space. Overflow from the tank into the canister is easier and much more common. I never fill after it clicks and hopefully taught my kids why.

 

[Dusty]

P0440 is a General Failure code. Are you sure there isn't another code in the PCM?

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 96448 miles.

 

[GTyankee]

OK,

the first thing to check, does not cost a dime, unless the part is bad.

watch a video on how to replace a PURGE Valve
it is under the hood near the throttle body.
once the purge valve is off, blow through it
if you can blow backwards through it, buy a new one



if that does not fix it, down just above the charcoal cannister. There is a part called by several names, it used to be called a pump, but is a
ESIM

Evaporative System Integrity Module​

there are videos, that show you how to install them

 

[Dusty]

OK,

the first thing to check, does not cost a dime, unless the part is bad.

watch a video on how to replace a PURGE Valve
it is under the hood near the throttle body.
once the purge valve is off, blow through it
if you can blow backwards through it, buy a new one

View attachment 526749

if that does not fix it, down just above the charcoal cannister. There is a part called by several names, it used to be called a pump, but is a
ESIM

Evaporative System Integrity Module​

View attachment 526750

there are videos, that show you how to install them

Because of the year and since the tank was only overfilled once or twice, I think the Purge Valve would be the most likely culprit. I would also inspect all the hoses that go to the purge valve, canister, and the pump.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 96541 miles.