If you had a VW specific scan tool; like a VAG 401 off of amazon.com or the Ross Tech VCDS, you could force the process. If it cannot complete the test for that; then, I would assume there is a problem. From what most people run into; you will get a trouble code for the pcv issues.

Here are some testing steps; that you can do, to check different components.

VWVortex.com - VAG-COM procedures for testing the MAF, O2 sensors and catalytic converter

Here is a an example of testing the failure prone: evap system purge control valve N80:

Ross-Tech: VAG-COM Tour: Output Tests

videos: discussing the issue and testing procedures:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTXdpo02qfU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IWzZzZb6B8

Video discussing; the overall system and diagnostic procedures:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4heTf4rz7A

setting readiness; using VCDS:

http://www.ross-tech.com/vcds/tour/readiness.html

Here is the service manual; for the evap system: (this is for a 2000 year; I don't know, if there were any evap changes between 99/00)

http://workshop-manuals.com/volkswa...onent_information/locations/fuel_injection_system_component_locations_overview/

 

Evap Readiness Monitor is the hardest to clear on most cars, especially German cars. Also the colder the temperatures or if the temps are changing rapidly it can impact the Evap Monitor testing.

Forget about Drive Cycles, this is usually not needed. A good car will Clear most Monitors in the first few drive cycles as long as there is 10-15 miles of highway driving AND the engine is running at the proper temperature, which is a PROBLEM with many German cars.

If the Evap Readiness Monitor is not Ready, who/when were the codes last cleared and why?

Here is my recommendation, keep the fuel tank at least 3/4 full while trying to get the Evap Monitor to Clear. The drive the car often, the Evap Monitor often requires multiple warm up cycles before it Clears.

If you have no luck in 3-5 days of normal driving, I would consider Clearing the Codes, even if there are none. This starts the Readiness Monitoring process over again. It can be risky as other monitors may not clear, but face it, if other monitors do not clear quickly in the first few warm up cycles and drives, something is wrong. O2 sensors being lazy are responsible for most Readiness Monitor Clearing problems. Evap often does not use O2 sensors for testing/verifying.

If you suspect problems, you might replace the gas cap for good measure, these can leak slightly and delay the Evap Monitor Clearing. Even the gasket around the gas cap lip on the cap can have small cracks or be compressed and lead to problems.

 

Thanks for the in depth evap information Billymade, i decided to get the VAG 401 that just arrived today. For a diagnostic tool i'm surprised how little user information came with it. After about an hour of learning/guessing how to use it to activate the evap system it sounded like the N80 started cycling.
The screen for block 071 looks like:

Emission Reduction (Leak
---------------------------
>Reed Contact, Condition
Read Open
Malfunction,Message
Test Status
Leak Diagnostic,Test
Status Test ON

My readiness monitors on Torq just say incomplete for Evap system not fail and no codes or Mil light. I thought a malfunction message should throw a fail on the readiness monitor. After some driving and restarting the test I've decided to clear the codes to reset everything as Jfoj suggested until i get some time later this week to check/replace the N80 valve.

 

I don't have the VAG 401 but I have VCDS; from what I have heard, the manual is pretty much useless. The tool seems to have similar capabilities as VCDS; you just need to figure out the block numbers, you need for what you are working with.

Here are some threads; discussing the VAG 401 and about updating it.

Xtool VAG401 (inexpensive VCDS/VAG-COM replacement))

https://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=423292

Apparently, you can even pull the secret key code and do key matching, among many other things.

Maybe, you can start a thread and discuss how to do things and create a "faq" or "how to" or sorts, when working with the VAG 401.

The information; on the ross tech website, would be the similar when working with the VAG 401. The Ross Tech Wiki is very helpful; to look up the trouble codes as well

www.ross-tech.com