How often does Evap monitor run?

[bill buttermore]

Hello all,

I have just finished rebuilding the engine on a 2001 Solara 5SFE. I have driven the car about 150 miles over two days - lots of highway, and a lot of city driving, too. Probably have started and shut it down 15 times or more, and filled it with fuel once. When I plug my code reader in, although no codes come up, the little icon for evaporative emission system on my reader flashes on and off indicating that the monitor for that system has not run yet. Does anyone know how long (time or miles) it typically takes for that to happen?

Thanks

[bill buttermore]

I searched online and found the following drive cycle that is apparently applicable to the 2001 5SFE Solara - presumably the Camry as well.

Evaporative Monitor:

Pre-requisite: No codes present, fuel level between 50 and 75%, IAT and ECT between 40 and 95 degrees F, altitude below 7801 ft, 8-hour cold soak

- Release pressure in fuel tank by removing and replacing gas cap before start up

- Idle engine until ECT is 167 degrees F or more

- Raise engine speed to 3000 rpm for 10 sec.

- Idle engine with AC on for 15-50 minutes (if no AC, turn on rear defroster and headlamps).

I believe these are the necessary conditions for my evap monitor to run. This morning, having read the above, and having met the pre-requisite conditions, I removed and replaced the cap, (no pressure was present) then started the car and drove about 2 miles to the local McDonalds. While waiting in line at the drive-up idling in drive for maybe five minutes total, I put the car in neutral and revved the engine to 3000 rpm for a slow count of 10. I then turned the AC on and drove two miles home and let the car idle in the driveway (AC still on). I was gonna let it sit for the specified 15 minutes, but the windows in the house were open and I didn't want the fumes coming in, so with the car running, I plugged in my code reader - green light! No more flashing ev icon. The evap monitor had run.

The above procedure could explain why the evap monitor had not run previously - I had filled the tank shortly after clearing the codes. And, after having driven ~140 miles the previous two days, this morning the tank was just at the 3/4 mark. I cannot be certain that these conditions will work everytime, but I thought I would document them for the next poor schmuck who needs to pass a smog test and has just cleared his codes.