Hello folks, I've got a P-0442 OBD-II code on my 03' Ford Ranger 2.3. Apparently meaning that there is a small Evap system leak. I would appreciate any help with diagnosing this so I and try to repair it without going to my mechanic. Thanks in advance to all posters.

 

Put a film of grease on the gas tank cap gasket , clear the code and see if it comes back.

 

Thanks for the post. I did that last week when the CEL light originally came on as well as installing a new gas cap. The light went off for a week and then last night it came back on. Maybe the egr valve gasket or
something in that area?

 

Nothing to do with your egr. Its got a leak in the system that relieves fuel tank pressure, so a vent vapor purge solinoid or charcoal canistor or any piece of rubber hose in between. Sorry this is so wide open but they are a bitch to diagnose sometimes. In the shop we fill the EVAP system with smoke from a smoke machine and look for leaks. Sometimes you get lucky and find a cracked hose or something easy like that. Good luck.

 

Is there any way to find this leak without using a smoke machine which my mechanic wants to charge me $60.00 to find the leak.

 

There isn't any other "safe" way to do it. And its actually a decent price. That's what I payed and I got lucky and they found it quick

 

Thank you for the info Brandon, I think I will just check all the hoses and if I don't find anything I will let my mechanic do the smoke test.