This is my scan report:
Persons are indicating a faulty gas cap. Is there a quick manual check for the cap? I had the tank replaced last year...so we can rule the tank out.


1998 Chevy Malibu
3.1L engine

State ODB Check
MIL On P0440 Evap Emission Malfunction
Codes found 1
Monitors ok 7
Monitors inc. 1
Monitors N/A 3

Monitor Status

Misfire mon Ok
Fuel sys mon ok
Comp component Ok
Catalyst mon Inc
Heated catalyst Ok
Evap system mon Ok
Secondary air sys [not on this model year] N/A
Ac refrig mon N/A
O2 sense mon Ok
O2 sennse htr Ok
EGR sys mon ok


FREEZE DATA
* I believe the code was set when the engine was started. This is why RPM and MPH was recorded as zero

Trouble code P0440 Evap Emissions Control Malfunction
ABSLT TPS % 0.0
ENGINE SPEED RPM 0
CALC. LOAD 1.5
MAF GR\SEC 2.56
MAP kpa 36
COOLENT 196 degrees F
ST FTRM1 % .8
LT FTRM1 % -7.7
VEHICLE SPEED MPH 0
FUEL SYS 1 OPEN [is this the problem?]
FUEL SYS 2 N/A

my 2000 malibu had the same code a while back and all it was the gas cap wasnt tightened after a fill up.

Try removing, inspecting, then re-tighten the gas cap. See if the light goes away. If not, replace it. They are only about $12-14 at Autozone.

Make sure you tighten to three clicks and be advised that it can take a while for the light to go back out. It won't necessarily go out immediately after the fix; I believe it can require up to three complete drive cycles.

Where you take the car for inspection some of them put like a pump on the gas cap and they tell you if it good or not