Engine light on

Best Answer

• imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,151

  July 2015 Answer ✓

  lanie1944 said:

  The engine light is on and auto zone says it is a evaporative emission system problem. Purge/ vent. What is this and is it an expensive fix?

  Which Pontiac and which engine do you have?
  
  Do you know the number (P0XXX, like P0442) did the code reader find?
  
  That's a hint. I don't recall the list but one can be a "large leak" which might be the gas cap not sealed. After
  the car does two successful attempts at checking vacuum, the light will go off if that fixed it.
  However, there are certain engine temperature and gas tank fuel levels within which the
  computer does the evaporative check after startup. Lukewarm engine restart and gas tank
  between 15% or 85% are sort of the range.
  
  The rubber seal on the gas cap and the tank surface it touches which can have a rough
  deposit on it can prevent sealing with age. Apply vaseline jelly and that sometimes helps
  rejuvenate the seal.
  
  A common problem is the purge valve on the 3800 which is on the front of the engine
  and opens to let the engine apply vacuum to the tank. These can go bad and are easily and
  cheaply replaced if that's the problem.
  
  Good luck. As long as the light is not flashing, it's an emission problem and not fatal.
  

  2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

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