96 850 throwing P0442 code (small leak)

[nicksing3]

Hi there-

I've got a 96 850 with 94,000 miles on it. Everything runs great except for one thing - the car keeps throwing a P0442 code and the check engine light comes on. I've got an OBDII code reader thing that will reset it, and for about 3 months that's just what I've been doing. The code reads, "Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected (small leak)," and I've just been resetting it every time it comes up, which is about once every 2-3 weeks.

The car just passed inspection (MA), but I made sure that the check engine light was off and the code was cleared before I brought it in. My question is this: is this something that I need to take care of, or can I just keep resetting it when it comes on? Is this fix something I can do myself?

I always make sure that I close the gas cap as tight as possible, so I don't think that it's that.

Thanks!

-Nick

[anmartin44]

go thru your engine bay and check all the of the vaccum hoses and rubber elbows. if theres a hole in a hose or something that can throw a code.

[jblackburn]

The J-hose at the charcoal EVAP canister is a common suspect for this.

Before you dig down to the canister, inspect all your EVAP hoses up from the gas tank, back from the engine bay and into the intake manifold. They tend to be a fatter rubber hose than most of the smaller ones in there, and between and around the area between the battery and engine block. The canister itself, on most models, is in front of the front wheel under the battery tray, but some cars have it under the rear wheel well. Search for it at the rear first; if you can't find it, then it's at the front

[mta58]

I have a 1997 850GLT that is getting this reading also.

I went under the front end (below the Battery) & found a rectangular black canister.
I also looked back by the gas tank but there is nothing visible there.

The black canister had two vacuum-type hoses running from it which were small
in diameter. Am I in the correct area if I try to do this myself ?? There is not much room to
get my hands in (it's really tight down there). I don't see any J or L shaped hoses anywhere.
What size are these two hoses anyway ??

I have also attached my code reader to try to extinguish the codes but no joy there.

If someone had some pictures of what these hoses looked like and how to get to them with
my big hands, I would appreciate it. And OF COURSE, in Georgia it's time to get the 850
inspected. I have a grace period till 02/28/2011 to get everything in good working order.

Thanks again for everyone's help in advance !!

Mike

[JRL]

That's the other thing, PURGE VALVE

[DGM]

http://www.obd-codes.com/p0442
http://www.ricksfreeautorepairadvice.co ... small-leak


The following video is for later model. Normally the canister is located under the left front fender for earlier model.