Trouble code P0442

[eagleesi1953]

I had my Eagle Talon 1997 scanned and cae up with trouble code P0442,I replaced the fuel cap with a factory original and 4 days leter the check engine light came back. The trouble code says the evap system detected a small leak. Help.

[spyderturbo007]

Normally, it takes some time for the CEL to come back on. The ECU has to go through a particular drive cycle that corresponds to that particular sensor before it will throw a DTC. Have you checked all of your vacuum lines? Are they old, rotted, still attached? Other than that, I don't know. Good Luck!

[kjewer1]

The evap system is under the battery or under the drivers side headlamp. On your 97 I believe it is most likely to be under the head light. I used to blow evap lines apart under boost all day, on the old t25 setup. Might be a simple fix.

[royboy15931]

I had the p0442 DTC on a 97 eclipse 2.0 . Seems to be common for that
year. I'm going to do a kinked/disconnected vacuum line search.
I'm interested in what solution you found.

[eagleesi1953]

Originally Posted by royboy15931

I had the p0442 DTC on a 97 eclipse 2.0 . Seems to be common for that
year. I'm going to do a kinked/disconnected vacuum line search.
I'm interested in what solution you found.

I have not been able to find the evap system leak,I visually inspected the charcoal canister,replaced the fuel cap with a factory original,replaced 3 feet of suspected vacuum hoses with no results.
I purchased a hand operated vacuum pump and ran the vacuum test according to Chiltons,and the hoses held vaccum. In order to find the leak there is green evap system service port located above the passenger side headlight but you need a nitrogen purge and the proper fitting to attach a to it. So after many hours of tinkering,I have decided
to take it to my garage and hopefully they can find the leak.I will e-mail you when they locate the leak so that maybe you can save some money
on repairs.

Good Luck!

[royboy15931]

I'm making headway with my small leak. (turboboost007 takes care of
BIG leakers - what a guy!). Instead of doing a vacuum test, I did a
pressure test of the lines with help from lindertech.com/docs. I've
isolated the leak to the top of the gas tank. Looks like I'll be dropping
the tank sometime.

[royboy15931]

I hooked into the cannister to tank system at the large LDP hose. (I didn't want to bother closing the LDP's valve so I assumed it wasn't leaking.) I pumped up 14 mm Hg pressure (at the connector tee site behind the right headlight) which leaked down steadily. I had visually checked my underbody lines - looked good. There was no smell of gas at the filler so my leak must be on top of the tank! ( I know someone thinks I'll drop my tank for nothing. Can't be any worse than the time I dropped my pants for nothing!)

[eagleesi1953]

Originally Posted by royboy15931

I hooked into the cannister to tank system at the large LDP hose. (I didn't want to bother closing the LDP's valve so I assumed it wasn't leaking.) I pumped up 14 mm Hg pressure (at the connector tee site behind the right headlight) which leaked down steadily. I had visually checked my underbody lines - looked good. There was no smell of gas at the filler so my leak must be on top of the tank! ( I know someone thinks I'll drop my tank for nothing. Can't be any worse than the time I dropped my pants for nothing!)

Good Luck!
I'll keep you posted with my solution.

[royboy15931]

Well today I dropped my tank. But it looks like only I and eagleesi are interested in this thread.

[eagleesi1953]

Did you find the problem with the vent on the tank?
I ordered the vapor canister and waiting for it to arrive. Taking a shot that it is the canister based on the originals appearance. I am determined to replace the canister and then the purge solenoid. The guys at the garage don't have a smoke machine so this prompted me to replace parts as a process of eilimination. Keep ypu posted.

[royboy15931]

Well its been one month and no "Check Engine".
eagleesi, let me know how you're making out and
thanks again for the advice.

[ashah000]

http://forums.2gnt.com/dcboard.php?a...3598&mode=full

Have fun reading, the thread is pretty long. I did not read it so I dont know if it will help.

[eagleesi1953]

Royboy,
Replaced the vapor canister after 7days no "check engine light" Went through emissions with no problem. I am going to wait 2-3 weeks and see before I can truly celebrate.

[royboy15931]

Originally Posted by eagleesi1953

Royboy,
Replaced the vapor canister after 7days no "check engine light" Went through emissions with no problem. I am going to wait 2-3 weeks and see before I can truly celebrate.

Ashah, That is some long thread. In it two guys did find different solutions to the CEL 31 code. And in this thread, two guys found two more solutions to the problem. Should we start a club for CEL 31 survivors?
Eagleesi,
I'll keep my fingers crossed for ya. But if it does come back, I found an $18. tool for checking evap systems.
royboy

[eagleesi1953]

Royboy,
Please tell me the name of the tool. I want to be prepared and since I have 3 cars,its worth $18.00.
From taalking to many mechanics and friends,diagnosing evap system problems can be difficult. I fixed mine by a process of elimination and a bit of luck.