Gas cap....update: found issue, but light still on..

[Jake335i]

I bought my x5 4.4 about a month ago from a guy who wanted to flip it but new nothing about cars. The car was pouring antifreeze. I offered him half of what he was asking and got the car. 30.00 hose fixed that problem.

Since then I replaced valve cover gasket, spark plugs, air filter, oil filter, Cabin Filter, new tires, alignment, Xpipe (out of principle),coolant flush, replaced license plate lamps, fixed faulty HVAC button, new belts, idlers and pulls....thought I had it all up to par and was ready to list it. (Although I am slowly falling I love with it)

Gas light alert came on and 10 seconds later service engine light appeared in yellow. I plugged in my obdIi and got code p0445 which is an evap code.

The cas cap never seems to sits right and that is my problem...anyone have a part number??

Edit: correct code is p0455
2001 x5 4.4

Thanks

Jake

[StephenVA]

All parts numbers maybe found on realoem.com All that is required is a VIN and at date manufactured.
SEARCH is your best friend as this link is posted 2-3 times a day on the forum.

[Helihover]

You will rarely if ever throw a code from a bad gas cap.

P0445 sounds like a purge valve. Locate the valve, it's on the front of the engine on the driver side. Then start the car cold and you should here that valve clicking very fast. It will almost sound like a valve tick. You can also take out the valve and cycle it with 12 volts to hear it operate. I did this once and may have jarred something loose or something. Anyway it didn't last. I replaced the purge valve with a new unit on my 01' 4.4 and the p04445 went away.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by Helihover

You will rarely if ever throw a code from a bad gas cap.

P0445 sounds like a purge valve. Locate the valve, it's on the front of the engine on the driver side. Then start the car cold and you should here that valve clicking very fast. It will almost sound like a valve tick. You can also take out the valve and cycle it with 12 volts to hear it operate. I did this once and may have jarred something loose or something. Anyway it didn't last. I replaced the purge valve with a new unit on my 01' 4.4 and the p04445 went away.

Agreed its more likely the purge valve or vacuum leak up front. I had this code early on and it was a vacuum hose up front near the purge valve thus creating a malfunction. Always start with the simple things before going deep.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Jake335i

... The [gas] cap never seems to [sit] right and that is my problem...anyone have a part number??
2001 x5 4.4

Thanks

Jake

See item #22 in the diagram & part number index:

http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E5...taching_parts/

[oldskewel]

On the subject of gas caps, a SES and some codes were thrown the other day while my daughter was driving, not long after she got gas. After looking into the codes, it seemed one possibility could have been the gas cap.

After inspecting it, I noticed the seal had a few cracks in it. So I flipped it over (so the new sealing surface was like new, with no cracks) and reinstalled the seal in the fuel cap, and put the fuel cap back. No more codes a week or so later.

But I searched and was unable to find the seal being sold as a separate item. I'd like to get a new seal. But it looks like I'd need to buy the gas cap assembly to get the seal. Right?

[Jake335i]

Originally Posted by StephenVA

All parts numbers maybe found on realoem.com All that is required is a VIN and at date manufactured.
SEARCH is your best friend as this link is posted 2-3 times a day on the forum.

Thanks for the response, I did perform a text search on RealOEM and either missed it or didn't type in the correct search words. That was after I have up on the picture drill down search...

[Jake335i]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

See item #22 in the diagram & part number index:

http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E5...taching_parts/

Thanks QSilver, I was having a hard time locating it, I appreciate it.

[Jake335i]

Originally Posted by Helihover

You will rarely if ever throw a code from a bad gas cap.

P0445 sounds like a purge valve. Locate the valve, it's on the front of the engine on the driver side. Then start the car cold and you should here that valve clicking very fast. It will almost sound like a valve tick. You can also take out the valve and cycle it with 12 volts to hear it operate. I did this once and may have jarred something loose or something. Anyway it didn't last. I replaced the purge valve with a new unit on my 01' 4.4 and the p04445 went away.

I am probably wrong, but I really think it is the cap....it never clicks into place...just sits there in a snug, but unsecured fashion.

[jdstrickland]

Originally Posted by Jake335i

I bought my x5 4.4 about a month ago from a guy who wanted to flip it but new nothing about cars. The car was pouring antifreeze. I offered him half of what he was asking and got the car. 30.00 hose fixed that problem.

Since then I replaced valve cover gasket, spark plugs, air filter, oil filter, Cabin Filter, new tires, alignment, Xpipe (out of principle),coolant flush, replaced license plate lamps, fixed faulty HVAC button, new belts, idlers and pulls....thought I had it all up to par and was ready to list it. (Although I am slowly falling I love with it)

Gas light alert came on and 10 seconds later service engine light appeared in yellow. I plugged in my obdIi and got code p0445 which is an evap code.

The cas cap never seems to sits right and that is my problem...anyone have a part number??
2001 x5 4.4

Thanks

Jake

www.realoem.com for all of the parts it takes to build your car. www.rockauto.com, www.autohausaz.com, and several others that slip my mind at the moment, for actually buying parts. When given the chance, you prefer OE, Original Equipment, over aftermarket. OEM, Original Equipment Maker, is a second choice.

Given the miles of hoses, the gas cap might not be the actual problem. There is a code specifically for the gas cap seal, it's going to be defined as Gross Leak or Small Leak, depending on the severity.

Using this link, P0445 Evap Emission Purge Control Valve Circuit Shorted DTC, I think you have a hardware issue with the purge valve itself, or the signal to turn it on or off.