P0442 - Evap Emission Control Small Leak?

[SL2-Guy]

Wnt to get emission testing the other day... i failed
guy told me it a P0442 - Evap Emission Control Small Leak code....
I have no idea what this is? sounds expensive to fix... Can anybody help me with this?
Thanks

[oseberg]

There's a lot of good info about the EVAP system in this thread: http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=110447

[MikeH]

Check that your gas cap is tight.

Check for cracks on the O-ring in the gas cap. If cracks are found replace the cap.

Check the vacuum line and connectors between the throttle body and canister vent solenoid. Connectors need to be tight. On my daughters 2000 SC2, a piece of rubber vacuum hose fit nicely in place of the connector that was at the canister vent solenoid connecting to the plastic vacuum hose. It solved P0442.

[fdryer]

Hopefully, yours is a gas cap sealing issue and nothing more but Arizona conditions may accelerate drying out of plastic/rubber components so the advice of MikeH should be heeded. If it helps any, after inspecting the gas cap for anything unusual other than forgetting to tighten it the minumum three clicks and finding no debris stuck to the lip of the filler pipe (smooth surface for sealing), try a light silicone spray on the seal of the cap and leave it to dry for a few minutes before replacing it back onto the filler neck. It may improve the seal but the SES light will require a few engine starts/shutoffs to extinguish the indicator unless you can reset it with a scan tool. It worked for me.

[SL2-Guy]

Thanks for all the advice guys...
Keeping my fingers crossed... I just think it sucks when i see other cars that produce big clouds of smoke when they drive off from a intersection, and still get away with driving... And my car can't even pass because of stupid code

[CrewCab]

There is a TSB for this code. It has to do with the thermostat, and ECTS.

More info here.

I posted the TSB there. I have repaired a few 00 SL2's with this issue and that fixed it.

[eljefino]

Look for rust on the outer metal lip of the filler neck where it meets the gas cap o-ring. The challenge is sanding this smooth without debris falling into the tank, perhaps a small rag would catch some of this schmutz. Admittedly this little rust alone won't clog your filter.

A nice thick silicone grease or even K-Y jelly (hey it had better not dissolve rubber!) gooped on the o-ring will help it seal too.

Also the evap test is not run above 3/4 or 7/8 tank, so if you drive around for a week topping off every day the light may go off long enough to pass the test. Depends on your state's laws for "readiness monitors"; I am allowed a couple "gimmes" as long as the MIL light isn't on.

[SL2-Guy]

hey CrewCab, tried to click on the link but nothing came up

[CrewCab]

Originally Posted by SL2-Guy

hey CrewCab, tried to click on the link but nothing came up

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=109239

fixed. sorry about that

[SL2-Guy]

Thanks man

[cormor]

P0442 could be the size of a pin hole in your evap system. your local garage should have a smoke tester if you cannot find a problem yourself. They'll smoke out the system and where theres smoke... theres hopefully not a fire but a fix so you can pass your emissions.

Your service writer should write it up as an hour diagnostic (priced roughly between 70-80 bucks) to find the leak. Once they find out have them tell you what it is and if its easy you can probably save yourself some money and DIY.

EDIT: Arizona and NY have completely different conserns for evap codes. I see tauruses all day with rusted filler necks and gas tanks. In your case it most likely could be a rubber seal or even a hose under the hood thats cracked.

[SL2-Guy]

Hopefully thats it.. Really keeping my fingers crossed that it isn't expensive to fix.... Oh, and i forgot to mention that the car has 149XXX miles on it