See, you CAN teach an "old dog" new tricks

 

Funny, but I looked through the entire list of trouble codes and nowhere do I see one listed for an Exhaust leak.
Now, there is one that that corresponds to a Evap leak.

Any chance that the auto parts stores have sent you looking for the wrong problem? (Exh, Evap confusion?) May be something as simple as a loose/bad gas cap.
Without posting the actual code number, it's just a wild goose chase.

A little side note:
A few years back, my Dodge had a CEL/ABS light pop up. Scanned it with a very expensive SnapOn scanner at my old job place. No stored codes detected. Took it by the Dodge dealer and had it scanned by a friend that worked there. Showed a bad rear end speed sensor.
The tech/friend laughed when I told him about the SnapOn scanner.
He said if I needed it scanned again accurately, come back to see him and his "real" scan tool.

 

I have never exactly seen the code displayed myself. When I had it done in Wisconsin the tech sorta mumbled the number and showed me the display on the scanner but I did not write the code down.

Yesterday when the kid took the car to O'reilly's the desk tech gal did not even offer her the code. Just said it was an exhaust leak and that they were not allowed to reset the CEL unless and until the problem is fixed.

I have a flex pipe with a catalytic converter on the way. It was a lot less expensive than I thought it would be so I just got the whole thing. Might save me some bother. I'm still not totally sure there is an exhaust leak but I always like to throw money at my cars {or perhaps not}

This is it. It says lower down in the add that it is stainless steel.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-2006-2007-Chevrolet-HHR-Catalytic-Converter-flex-down-pipe-2-4-NEW-/320974467580?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4abb91b1fc&vxp=mtr#ht_2368wt_1220

 

You did notice it's coming from Canada, I hope they include the PIA costs.

I just checked they say "no extra charges" to cross the border. That is a good price.

The only code that might indicate an exhaust leak is the HO2 sensor fault that says one bank or the other is running either lean or rich, and those could be bad sensors or wires, but usually flex pipe.

 

I can't find a code that states exhaust leak either. I would have it checked again and get the code number before replacing parts. I have seen aftermarket scanner read differently that factory scanners as well. I think things sometimes things get lost in translation from factory to aftermarket.

 

Ok the CEL came on again today while I was close to Autozone so I stopped in myself and asked the desk dude to put his code scanner on.

He came right out and did so and the scanner they used today worked and said P0442
Evaporative Emission System leak detected-small leak

The dude said it was probably that the gas cap seal was leaking a little or it might be somewhere between the tank and under the hood.

So I asked if they had a new seal or whole gas cap that would fit. I was shocked when we went in and looked one up that they did not have one in stock. So most likely Tuesday I will get one. It will be nice to spend the 13 dollars to get the replacement cap if it keeps the CEL turned off.

I can always hang the new exhaust pipe in the garage until I really need it I guess. Being stainless steel it should keep indefinitely you'd think.

 

I;m glad I read this post. I relearned about dis connecting the battery. - first + second.

thanks and good luck to OP.

I'm another ol dog.!

KK4

 

So, I'm thinking about getting a code scanner to use on my cars and maybe on cars for other people.

Naturally with me being inherently cheap I want the best I can get for my money.

Harbor Freight has one that they say is CAN OBT II compatible. Here is a link to the one I'm thinking of getting.

http://www.harborfreight.com/can-obd...ool-60694.html

What I'm wondering is if it would be able to find the P0442 code on my HHR and allow me to turn it off when it comes on? Does anyone out there have one of these and know if it will do what I want?

My daughter has a Samsung smart phone so I suppose I could get one of the bluetooth code reader things that also say they are OBT II devices and can read and turn off codes. I just don't know which would be better.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

It's OBD (On-board diagnostics), not OBT.

 

They can do pretty much the same, depends on the software you get for the phone (most can be had for free).

Bluetooth can be a little tricky to set up, so if you have low tech tolerance, the HF would probably be better.

The Chinese ELM327 units have a failure rate around 50%, so make sure there is a free replacement including postage guarantee. But, once you get a good one and you master BlueTooth they work good.