s90 threw code P0442

lindy8_man · Post by **lindy8_man** » 15 Aug 2011, 00:39

Driving home tonight, and check engine light came on. Checked with OBD II and found Code P0442. Before I got home, I just popped open the hood to check the oil, and the dipstick handle came off in my hand!!!

I know P0442 is evap system, and is most likely a "J" hose that is cracked. I will check that out tomorrow... I will also be purchasing a new dip stick... Any chance these two are related? I have been so surprised by the plastic parts on this car becoming brittle and cracking all over the place. I have 220K on this car, but every plastic part??? Really???

Post by **Volvo_240_Atari_2600** » 15 Aug 2011, 08:11

lindy8_man

Hate to say it, but volvo plastic is troublesome. I guess with age (as my 89 245) the plastic in our cars become brittle where if you look at it funny, it will break or crack.

I have used epoxy and a strip of plastic on the underside of parts in my car like the "map pockets and the e-brake console" as they are most prone to breaking on the 240's.

Your EVAP code should have nothing to do with the dipstick. Never had a 940/s90, however we did have a v70 (first generation) for a few years and I drove it with the p0442 code for a while. That was the main reason for my cel but it always seemd like a complex, yet simple repair but in that car what made me feel the complexity was following that line to the fuel tank. Lets just say with a tight work schedule, I only tackled real "in need" repairs and left that one alone. Never had a dipstick issue on that car and I left the CEL with that code on for a long time.

Here is one question since you just got that CEL.
One trigger which was not in my case, is a poorly secured/closed gas cap. I hoped it was my case, but never was and you may be lucky if it is that.

Good luck!
Eric

lindy8_man · Post by **lindy8_man** » 16 Aug 2011, 11:12

Well,

I didn't check the cap. I suppose that should have been my first guess. I'll tighten it before I leave today. I did crawl around under there last night. and found a two inch piece of rubber hose pushed onto a nipple entering the canister. The other end was pushed onto a poly hose leading back to the gas tank. It was split in a spot and had a lot of cracks. I inspected all the little elbows. didn't really see any problems. The Canister and blow off valve are very different than what is shown in the chilton manual. I saw no sign of the "J Hose" that is so frequently spoken of. When I talked with the parts guy at Volvo about it, he knew exactly what part I was talking about. But he pulled up the diagram, and he didn't see it on the s90 diagram... So I checked the other various connections both in broad daylight and using a flashlight at night. I think the flashlight did a better job shoeing all the tiny details. everything looked... well old and brittle, but still operational.

I replaced the little rubber piece with a two inch chunk of hose. This system is not under great pressure, so there were no clamps. Cleared the code... And we'll see!!!

Dip stick $35

lindy8_man · Post by **lindy8_man** » 26 Aug 2011, 02:06

Well, it has been almost two weeks, and there has not been any codes! Funny how a two inch hose could cause such a rucus.

lindy8_man · Post by **lindy8_man** » 04 Sep 2011, 21:13

Posted too soon. "check Engine" came on Thursday. Checked with the Scanner, and it is the same code. I have ordered a hand vacuum pump from Freight Harbor tools. Found a e-coupon for 20% off!!! Any suggestions on where to start the search first?