SES: Possible Leak in the Fuel/Emission System
pandak
04-02-2008, 02:02 PM
SES light came on and I refill gas with a higher octane rating (from 87 to 91). After a few minutes of driving, the SES light went off. The next day, the light went on again. This time I tried to use a fuel injector cleaner and a gas line anti-freeze with water remover since I see some water in the exhaust. After a few minutes of driving, the light went off again. Unfortunately, the next day the light went on again. Is this a symptom of a leak on the fuel/exhaust system? Will changing the fuel cap firsthand a good move before bringing it to a shop for a scan? The SES light is steady and not flashing and I don't feel any significant change in the performance of the car. Everything is well besides the SES light is on.
83cutlass
04-02-2008, 06:36 PM
Just have the codes read and diagnosed somewhere.
jr6078
04-03-2008, 12:59 PM
Just FYI --
Water dripping from you tailpipe isn't necessarily a sign of water in your fuel. The water is the result of combustion. Normally, this is most predominant when the engine and exhaust system are cold and/or there is a lot of moisture in the atmosphere. Remember, your engine uses outside air to mix with the fuel and that outside air contains moisture. When combustion is complete, you will be left with whatever moisture was in the air, and it will be expelled through the tailpipe either in the form of a gas, if the system is hot enough to vaporize all of it, or in the form of liquid or both gas and liquid if the system isn't hot enough to vaporize all of it. On top of all this, moisture can condense in your exhaust system as it cools, which will also result in water dripping from your tailpipe, especially just after startup after sitting overnight.
Anyway, on the topic of your SES light, have the codes scanned like 83cutlass suggested. It could be a fuel cap, but until you have the codes read, you really won't know.
Water dripping from you tailpipe isn't necessarily a sign of water in your fuel. The water is the result of combustion. Normally, this is most predominant when the engine and exhaust system are cold and/or there is a lot of moisture in the atmosphere. Remember, your engine uses outside air to mix with the fuel and that outside air contains moisture. When combustion is complete, you will be left with whatever moisture was in the air, and it will be expelled through the tailpipe either in the form of a gas, if the system is hot enough to vaporize all of it, or in the form of liquid or both gas and liquid if the system isn't hot enough to vaporize all of it. On top of all this, moisture can condense in your exhaust system as it cools, which will also result in water dripping from your tailpipe, especially just after startup after sitting overnight.
Anyway, on the topic of your SES light, have the codes scanned like 83cutlass suggested. It could be a fuel cap, but until you have the codes read, you really won't know.
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