In most cases, the rubber connectors break down before the actual plastic (sic) tubing does. Most of the rubber connectors can easily be replaced with simple rubber vacuum hose. In my case, it took less than a foot each of 7/64" and 9/64", cut in lengths equal to the formed rubber connectors.

It doesn't work for tees and elbows, but there'* not too many of those.

You'll find that virtually all of your conections and hoses for the evap system are plastic istead of rubber. The two going to the purge solenoid are. You can see one of them in the picture that Mac posted, the whiteish one on the right hand side. You can barely see the other black plastic one on the left. The other end of that one goes to a rubber connection on the throtte body, but that is too large for a standard vacuum hose. The white one runs down the firewall, to a metal tube, then back to plastic at the charcoal cannister.

The fittings to the charcoal cannister under the car are also mostly plastic. My memory is faiiling me here on whether part of the tubing going to the vent solenoid is rubber, or not. If it is, we're right back to where we started this, anyway.

Yeah, thanks Dick! As I mentioned above, I wasn't sure how different the 2000+ are, but am just trying to help him eliminate the low cost possibilities before he has to spend money.

Having solved my P0440 code with vacuum repairs after trying unsuccessfully by replacing the gas cap (like him) I thought I'd suggest that as a course of action.

Your help is always welcome, Mike.

Lol! That'* all well and good, but where'* Jayman?

I wonder how he'* doing with this. :?

Hello - I'm still hanging around. Being self employed my hours are irregular as is my ability to get to the car. That said I plan on digging into it this weekend and I shall report back here with findings, problems and more likely resolutions.
By the way I appreciate all the help and advice, and I find it most welcome too.
Cheers

Thanks for keeping us updated. Whatever you find and post back will be quite helpful for others tracking down the same problem.

That'* right, and the rubber hose you see up front at the bottom of the picture is supposed to be plastic, but I busted it while taking the thermostat bolts out. So I had to replace it with a section of rubber vacuum hose and a vacuum splice connector on each end.

Hello everyone,
Here'* an update on an old thread. I did manage to get under the car by the rear seat and clean out that 'solenoid' however nothing changed. Gas Cap mess was still on along with SES light. BUT..... after warming up here in the spring along with the rains (high humidity) the gas cap message stopped by itself (I think) and the SES lgiht went off. Has been that way for about 2 weeks now too.
Is this strange to you guys at all? Don't get me wrong I love it, just strange.
Jayman

Your winter-wet electrical connection dried out. Disconnect and clean it, then put dielectric grease on it before you plug it back in.