Cel code P0447 - ideas on solutions?

My car is a 1999, a bit older than yours. But it had a corroded filler tube at the gas tank after 7 years.. The replacement cost $500!

Uncle Ben

Fred,

A P0447 code means a leak in the pressured fuel system. I cleared the code out from my 1998 Subaru GL wagon a couple of times, but the check engine light kept coming back indicating the same problem. Because the diagnosis required specialized diagnosis equipment that my regular mechanic did not have, I had to take the car to my Subaru dealer to have the fuel system smoked out. In my case, the problem was a leaking fuel filler pipe and vent valve ($570). Diagnosing the problem without the proper tools is very time consuming and liable to miss the problem, so taking it my dealer (at thrice the price) was my only option.

Hope this helps,

Thornton

Fred Boer wrote:

Dear Uncle Ben and Thornton:

Thanks for the replies. ARGH! I have had to put WAY too much money into this 2002 Subaru in the last year: New ball joint ($500), head gaskets (warranty - but took 7 visits and two extended stays in the shop to finally fix), new radiator ($500), new power steering pump ($500), and other things...

I like this car very much, and it is my second Subie, but it only has

125,000 km - where's the famed Subaru reliability? Ah well, cars are money pits...

Thanks for the heads up regarding the corroded filler pipe. I do not like the sound of that - up here in Canada (I assume you are in US for no good reason...) that would be well over $600.00!!

This will be added to the list of other possibilities I have found on the internet:

1. Some kind of blue vacuum hose near power steering pump (just had power steering pump replaced, so maybe..)
2. Faulty wiring near cat converter
3. Loose cat converter

My non-Subaru dealer mechanic is a former dealer mechanic and a real gem. I trust him completely - but he's somewhat hamstrung by a lack of dealer-type diagnostic equipment. Sadly the Subaru dealer network is sparse and the service at dealerships varies greatly in quality - but I still may be stuck going back to a dealership on this.

Sigh.

Thanks again! Fred

My 2002 Subaru Legacy Check engine light came on and a week or so later the head gasket was blown....since the engine had overheated some parts cracked and I need a WHOLE NEW ENGINE. Subaru covered it, and I'll pick it up from the dealer tomorrow.

Never happened on mine but found this.

Worth a look? Cheers

Thanks to all!

Fred

.....and today it went out all by itself for no reason!

So who knows!?

Fred

If it WERE due to a loose gas cap - after correcting, it may take a few start/drive cycles to turn out the CEL - actually, any intermittent wiring/sensor (such as a 'lazy' O2 sensor) might cause that effect. We once owned a '96 Ford van that would turn its CEL on with an altitude chnage of only a few hundred feet - after 2-3 days the light would go off, only to return again after we drove back home.

Carl

Well, we tried a new gas cap, and that didn't fix the problem. So, we put the old one back. It could be some sort of wiring issue... in any case, I am just glad to ignore it for now and not have to spend any more money!

Too bad these CEL things aren't more reliable...

Fred