Hello...
Does somebody have experience doing a smoke test for HHR 2006, 2.4?
Thanks

 

Rarely shows anything. Waste of time.

 

The issue the HHR shows code P0442 - Evaporative Emission Control system leak detected(small leak) , any idea?

 

Anything from loose or damaged fuel cap, to vent line corroded, EVAP vale under the hood faulty, EVAP canister damaged or loose fittings.

https://www.carparts.com/blog/p0442-...ed-small-leak/

 

Gas cap, both EVAP valves, pin hole in EVAP tube, loose fitting on gas tank.
Any other symptoms? Hard start etc.

from the shop manual:

 

These leaks are found using nitrogen to charge the system and spraying and find the leaks. We use a 1 part simple green and 10 parts water. Spray everything and wait to find the foam.

 

Hi greg8453, thanks for you idea, but could you explain step by step?, thanks

 

Can confirm smoke test is pointless with a small leak; won’t throw enough smoke. However if you use the fluorescent smoke and a UV light, you might find something. Better to use pressure and soap bubbles.

There is a TSB that addresses the P0442/P0455 small leak/large leak problem. It basically tells you all the places that leak could be and wiishes you luck. EDIT - Found the TSB. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...98890-9999.pdf

I was nagged by a small leak for a year AFTER replacing the vent line with plastic. I swapped in a new gas cap to no avail. Then it (mercifully) graduated to a large leak. Only because it is THE single easiest thing to test for a large leak (and also a common cause,) I tested the purge solenoid valve under the hood. That was the culprit. Replaced it, no more codes. Easier to detect a large leak than a small one in that part (or anywhere else.)

I read your thread from last year about replacing your leaking fuel line. It wasn’t clear what you did with the vent line. Did you just replace part of it?

 

Thanks so much a good idea with fluorescent UV, I will try follow you idea, yes I replaced the vapour line for the plastics/vpc , so after was ok until 2 week ago I smell plastic burn, I start looking and I saw the vapour line was melting over the exhaust pipe(not all just for one part, the exhaust flanger loose and the exhaust pipe was free and at the end vapour plastic ) so what I did for fix the vapor plastic was join and install after a litter metal clams), but after I reset the code, but last week was the engine light was on again with the same code, but I notice sometimes when I change the gear the rpm go down and after up again. so that what happens. but tomorrow I will test follow your idea, thanks so much, sincerely, tomas

 

If the plastic line melted, there’s the pressure!
if the flex pipe broke, there’s another problem.