I'm getting a code pr 455 on my Mazda Protégé 1997. After search on the subject on the WEB I have changed the gas cap for a new one, for a few days everthing was o.K. then the engine light was on again. I also have a court-circuit on my radio and lighter. Does someone has more information on code pr 455. Thank you. From Montréal with the Grand Prix this week end. Lynne Lescault

 

I think you mean code P0455, which means a large leak in the evap emissions system. Let's hope that babyhuey will check this post to give some good advice where to look first.

 

A P0455 does indicate some type of large leak in the evaporative emission system. This system is quite large as it includes purge valve and catch tank up in the engine compartment as well as fuel tank, charcoal canister, and various other valves and hoses in the system. System is designed to retain all fuel vapors and burn them in the engine thru the intake manifold rather than allowing them to escape into the atmosphere and cause pollution.
There have not been many problems with the older Protege on evap system. One however that have run accross a few times might be worth a check. In the passenger rear corner of the engine compartment there is a largish black cylinder with two hoses coming out of the top. See pic below. Catch tank is labeled as #1. There have been some problems with these tanks leaking due to manufacturing and installation flaws. Tanks include those on 96-98 Protege and MPV. If you remove the tank from engine compartment, cap off one of the hose ports, coat the tank with soapy water mixture and then apply pressure to the other port it should show if you have any leakage from this part. As hard as you can blow on it should be adequate pressure to show a leak. If any bubbles show up then that is probably source of leakage and code being set.
Updated catch tank is a Mazda #JE96-13-978 and has MSRP of $46.55.

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