Puzzled with Error Codes P0440 and P0442 and possibly a transmission leak.

[zabut]

Hi everybody!

Just wanted to say thanks for this forum, what a great resource! Been lurking for quite some time now, very helpful!

I have a 2000 Grand-Am V6 SE, and had the Check Engine Light come on for quite a while. I initially took it into the dealer to take a look at to see what was wrong, and they replaced the gas cap, and couldn`t quite figure it out without me having to dish out more cash to have somebody look at it further.

So, me being the "I might be able to fix it myself" type, I ended up purchasing a code reader and figured out that error codes P0440 and P0442 (A leak in the EVAP system) were coming up frequently. I did a fair bit of research on what could be causing the leaks, looked everywhere I could on the car, but would usually just end up resetting the codes. Then each time I reset, about a week later either one or the other code would come up again.

My understanding of the EVAP system was that it is mostly had to deal with fuel/exhaust systems on the car. So, I never did exactly figure out what was causing the leak or problem.

6 months later (I drive infrequently), I had a small transmission fluid leak where the cooler lines were rusted out, got that fixed, and now it's been about 3 weeks driving and no more error codes or problems.

So, I guess what my question is to anybody who is in the know, could the error codes P0440/P0442 have been directly related to the leak even though I don't believe the transmission coolant system is part of the EVAP system?

Thanks in advance!
Marc

[xeroinfinity]

p0440 is a evap system malfunction, the p0442 is a evap small leak detected.

Sometimes after you fix this, whether the cap or something else, it just takes the pcm a while to finaly figure out, oh its not leaking anymore.

But for your question, NO these are not in any way related to the trans leak.

But the small leak could have been enough to trip the malfunction code.
Several things are into play in the evap system.
Thier are several hoses in the rear, which have hose clamps, that over time become loose and allow small leaks. Mostly from the hoses drying out and shrinking.
Easy to check , most clamps should be ones that you can tighten with a screwdriver, not the tension hose clamps used else where on your GA.

And thanks for the kudos on the site!

[zabut]

Cool, thanks for your reply.

I was hoping that there would be some relation, but the check engine light just went back on yesterday, so I will take a look and do some hose clamping this weekend

Cheers!