v8bug

I know its not ls1 powered but I need some help here.
2005 pontiac bonneville 3.8l v6

Car drives fine, nothing feels wrong but engine light keeps coming on, pulled code and it reads 0442 - Evaprative Emissions system leak detected(small leak)

I just need to know what this really means, and how to fix it

thanks

keliente

iTrader: (22)

It means the evap system has a leak somewhere. If it's just a small leak most likely there's a crack some where in the evap hoses, by the charcoal canister/etc.

camaroguy26

iTrader: (21)

the evap system contains all the fumes from your gas tank and fuel lines but let's the tank pressure equalize the outside air. with a car as new as yours it's probably the valve getting stuck, but check your hoses also like keliente mentioned. It's usually in the back, you should see a black plastic box with rubber hoses running from it to the tank. My camaro's is hidden in the quarter panel behind the fill neck, my mom's 2001 sirrus is above the tank, her's was throwing the code and turned out to be that valve

beerwhiskeyjoe

Start off simple- check your gas cap. could be loose, could have a bad seal, if its one of those new quick connect types I wouldnt be suprised if the whole damn cap is bad already. Might not deff. be that but 90% of the times you see a small evap leak code on any car, its the gas cap.

Formula413

iTrader: (1)

Some cars actually have a seperate light for EVAP trouble codes that says "check gas cap". Pretty clever.

2001NBMZ28

Buddy of mine had P0442 on his Z, after replacing the cap code kept coming back - ended up bringing it to a shop that pressurized the EVAP system with smoke to find the leak. Fix was easy, finding the leak was the pain.

dependonauto

Could be a bad gas cap, or even vacuum lines under the hood. Check the prone to be broke lines by the throttle body