My 'Service Engine Soon' light came on last week ('98 T/A) and I figured it had to do with emissions....had an emissions test done today and it failed. It gave me the code P0442 = EVAP Control System Leak Detected (small leak).
I was just wondering if anyone has ever had this before and how much it was to get it fixed.

 

thats usually triggered by a loose gascap. A leaking gascap can cause it too

 

yup gas cap is the easiest\cheapest place to start.

 

During the emissions check I believe the mechanic hooked up something to the gas cap and it passed that part. Maybe I havent had the cap on tight lately but then again the light has been on for a good week now and i have secured the cap a few times since then. I'll just take it to someone to look at. Thanks for your help.

 

Reset the PCM. Make sure cap clicks after getting gas. See if it comes back on. The inspector check to see if the cap sealed properly. A loose cap will cause a code because it is a pressurerized (sp?) system.

 

If the gas cap was off or loose it would set an EVAP code that would have reference to a "gross" leak, there are often several solinoid/checkvalves in the EVAP system, in most shops that deal with EVAP problems (they are few and far between except for dealerships) because if you talk to or research a source like Alldata, most places will use a piece of equipment (expensive) that will "blow smoke" through the system to find the leak. Of course most dealerships that deal with these cars on a regular basis will most likely know the most common componet that causes the problem butthey will enevitably charge you for the diag anyway. But it should be a relatively inexpensive repair non the less.