I,ve got a 2000 auto. I keep getting a P0445 code which is evaporative emissions system small leak detected. It pops out about once a week and then I clear it. A mechanic said it probaly comes from around my gas cap when I get gas, but it usually pops up first thing in the morning when I first crank it up.Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

The fact that it pops up in the morning first thing means nothing except the car is seeing the code often. These codes come up routinely on a lot of cars duruing winter vs. summer: its hard to seal the evaporative filters/vents through a wide range of temps.

I wouldn't worry about it unless you need a clean OBD2 board to pass state emissions control. In many states they let the evaporative emissions leak codes by on emissions because it happens so often.

It might very well go away on its own once the weather is warmer, too.

 

I did have my gas cap replaced. I can't remember the exact code that would show up but it was something about evap. It would show up after the car had been running for a few minutes in the morning. The dealer replaced the gas cap (under warranty) and it has not shown up since.

 

Thanks guys. I went to my local dealer this pm to put on a new tire and he said probably no big deal with the leak either. Said they could run smoke thru the stystem and find it but it wouldn't hurt anything. Is there a way thru the on diagnostics I can delete it permanently or would that be a bad idea?