Emissions Evaporation CEL?

[WSU99GSX]

My CEL went on this morning on my way to work. When I got home I pulled the code and it was "Emissions Evaporation (small leak)". What does that mean? Well I Know what it literary means...but what is leaking.....thanks in advance for the help. Just need to know where to start on this one. I cleared the code and restarted the car, didn't come back.

 

[igopoopy]

your gas cap is either bad or loose.

 

[Doug99RS]

No, that is NOT what the code means.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54447&highlight=Evaporative

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=108238&highlight=Evaporative

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101761&highlight=Evaporative

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30475&highlight=Evaporative

There's plenty of good posts out there that if you don't know the answer to the question you can easily find links to the right answer.
Doug

 

[WSU99GSX]

There are many problems that the driver or person working on the car may create in the evaporative emissions system. Pumping gas while the car is running will cause the pressure to drop, leaving a vacuum line loose to the evap system

Okay, now I have pumped gas while the car is running (Stupid TT) now if I have done that and it finaly did something bad to the car, which line do I check to see if it is loose? I took the car out tonight for about a half an hour to test, and no light. Thanks for the great info. by the way!

 

[Doug99RS]

Chances are the gas cap is either bad or loose. I would just verify that it's tight and keep going. If the light comes back on then I would recomend replacing the gas cap. Drive it again for a few days and wait for the light to go out. Once it goes out that means the computer ran the test on the system and the system finally passed. If the light comes on again later the only thing you are out is the cost of the gas cap.

I normally don't recomend replacing parts first before any diagnostics is run but an evap system leak is not something most of us can check at home. It's best checked using a machine that pumps smoke in to the gas tank and evap system. The smoke will start coming out where ever the leak is at. Unless you have a smoke machine you PROBABLY will never find the leak. I've spent an hour or two with this smoke machine only to find a pin hole in a hose that is on the side between the chassis and the hose. In otherwords... no one could have seen it with just a quick visual inspection.

Expect a charge of at least $75.00 to use a smoke machine on the car. That's why I suggest a gas cap first. Oh... and don't buy one from a parts store. Get one from the dealer. A new gas cap that is not designed for a car with evaporative emissions can cause a leak as well an you will have wasted your money.
Doug

 

[WSU99GSX]

I understand why you are called a Wiseman....thanks...*still in awe*

 

[Doug99RS]

Anytime.