Small Evap Leak

davisae130 · Post by **davisae130** » 16 May 2012, 19:06

A couple days ago I had my CEL come on. I check the code and it showed a p0442 (small evap leak). After reading through many different posts regarding it, I checked the basics (gas cap, J-hose, and other hoses that I could get my hands on fairly simply). After not finding any cracked/damaged hoses, I resorted to the dreaded dealership to get a smoke test (my normal mechanic doesn't have the equipment and i found a coupon). After $80 for the test, they called me and said they found a leak in "some hose in the evap system" and that it would be another $180 to fix it. After prying, I found out that the hose was $15 and it was the labor as usual. After more prying, I got the part number and a mild description. The part number is 976736 (Hose #976736). The only issue is I am getting mixed feelings about which hose it is. They said it goes from the front of the engine almost to the charcoal canister, but connects to another hose first. (They wouldn't let me talk to the mechanic since the dealership service reps are really just salesmen.) Anyways, I cant find a picture of a new hose, but I would like to make sure I know what I'm getting into before I give in and let them fix it.
Here are a few pic's showing which one I think it is...
(p.s. the location of this is under the big air intake hose next to the battery

davisae130 · Post by **davisae130** » 16 May 2012, 19:08

By the way, this is on my 2000 Volvo S70 GLT SE

Post by **erikv11** » 16 May 2012, 20:44

It looks like the setup in your car is not exactly the same as in the link you posted, but yes I think you have IDed the part. Your link to the part number follows to this diagram, where you are talking about hose #16:

It looks like instead of a single vacuum line, you car has a rubber elbow to a hard vacuum line, which probably has a rubber elbow at the other end. Could be leaking at either of the elbows or somewhere in the line. That elbow in your pic looks a little crumbly.

If I was in your position I would just buy an appropriate length of silicone or rubber vacuum line, you'll have to figure out the appropriate diameter, and replace it myself. Access may be difficult but there is nothing special or critical about the evap system. And you don't have to route a replacement line exactly the same, you just need to get from the valve to the canister and stay away from the fan or really hot areas, etc.

Now that your car is 12 years old, a lot of the rubber vacuum lines are going to start showing these small leaks. So you may want to get in the habit of replacing them. One approach is to just buy enough vacuum line to replace any accessible lines. Or fix them as they go, but it can be difficult to know which ones are leaking. Just make sure you use lines with the appropriate ID.

davisae130 · Post by **davisae130** » 17 May 2012, 15:35

All things said and done, just dropped it off at the dealer.

Realized that the registration is up as of today (it's my dad's car so he handles that stuff...) so I needed the work done pretty much immediately. I am in school and working so I really don't have the immediate time to deal with it. However, on a positive note I got the price down to $140 and they threw in a free car wash

Mauiman · Post by **Mauiman** » 27 May 2013, 21:03

davisae130 wrote:A couple days ago I had my CEL come on. I check the code and it showed a p0442 (small evap leak). After reading through many different posts regarding it, I checked the basics (gas cap, J-hose, and other hoses that I could get my hands on fairly simply).

I'm not an experienced home mechanic but needing to learn to do more myself as I'm always paying for "trial and error" by trained mechanics. Where did you find your charcoal canister and how did you get access to the J-hose(s) to check them. Could you visually inspect them or just by feeling them with one arm shoved up under the car? If I have found my charcoal canister, it is by left front wheel behind the bumper and I'm not sure I could see the top if I removed the battery and battery tray??
Any insight you could give would be appreciated. The dreaded P0455 code is driving me nuts.

tomfoolery · Post by **tomfoolery** » 27 Jul 2013, 13:28

I am getting the large Evap leak code sporadically in my 98 c70 2.3. My j-hose seems fine but the hose that is labeled as 11 in this picture is cracked. It appears to be a rubber hose bonded to a plastic tube. Does anyone know what this hose is called and if it can throw the code?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 27 Jul 2013, 21:44

Volvo got real descriptive with that one - they call it a "Hose". VADIS shows a part number of 9443309 but check with your dealer with your VIN number before ordering it.

That is a nasty leak source since it is after the purge valve and it will throw codes.

...Lee

tomfoolery · Post by **tomfoolery** » 27 Jul 2013, 21:54

Thanks Lee. Now it appears to go from rubber to plastic. Are they a separate part?

arnoldo223 · Post by **arnoldo223** » 26 Nov 2014, 14:51

I also have a CEL on with code P0442. My mechanic checked the hoses aqnd said he did a smoke test. Found nothing.The gas cap looks good as well.When I picked up the car(2007 xc70 50,000 mi.) The light was out.Two days latter it came on. I guess I will have to check it my self.

Post by **scot850** » 26 Nov 2014, 20:06

Hey arnoldo223. I had the same issue with my 06 XC70. Did the round, gas cap, purge valve and eventually dealer ID'd the vacuum pump. I did a write up in the XC70 forum. Not hard to replace the pump, just a real PITA job as it uses Oetiker crimps and they are almost in-accessible. I have since purchased a oetiker crimp tool with side crimping ability, just in case!

Neil.