My CEL started coming on last year and when I got it out to the auto shop, they told me the purge valve was bad and they replaced it. That took care of the CEL for about 3 months. Light came back on, back out to the shop, the purge valve had failed again and they replaced it free of charge under warranty. Rinse and repeat a few months later. So today it's in the shop for the same thing, they say it's the same problem and are again going to replace the part under warranty.

Have you guys seen anything like this before? I mean I've only paid once for the repair but at the same time it seems like there might be something else going on? I'm not super knowledgeable here though, and don't know if there's something upstream or downstream that could be causing the purge valve to fail?

Thanks -Michael

 

hard to say without seeing the old parts...electrical failure or mechanical...full of pellets from the cannister?
What is the actual code that is setting?

 

These typically fail if you're over filling your gas tank. I've replaced three all together, 2008 Saturn Astra, 2006 Chevy Silverado 1500, and my current 2005 Chevy Suburban 1500.

 

it would be a heck of an overfill to get fuel up to a solenoid located in the engine compartment.

 

There’s two. The one I’m talking about is the EVAP Canister Purge Valve, a charcoal based canister that controls the vapors. This one is located by the gas tank. If you over fill the tank it puts gas into this canister and ruins it. The other one is located on top of the engine. So, which one is going bad?

 

there are not 2 purge valves. 2 solenoids but each serve a different purpose.
-one is the purge solenoid located near the throttle body..this is opened to allow evap vapour to be drawn into the engine...hence purge
-the second solenoid is located on the cannister...its normally open and allows fresh air to enter the evap system..hence vent. this solenoid closes to seal the system for leak testing.