Code P0440?

Tiny
TRAVIS
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 SATURN VUE
  • 75,500 MILES
I have a p0440 code on Saturn vue 2008. I got a smoke test done & no leak was found. I also noticed some rattling in the front of car a I'm driving at slow speed & going over bumps. & The car have trouble starting when car sits for a couple of minutes. I got gas at night. The next day drove 2 work. After work on start up check engine light came on. Had it checked was told 2 change gas cap. I did they erased code. Light came back on after my 3rd start up. Light only comes on at start up. If I erase the light & drive all day no light comes on. It only comes onat start up. Smoke test done no leak was found. I also had the electrical checked for the starter & they said it was fine & couldn't figure about the long start time. Hope you can help.
Thank you very much,
Travis
Saturday, October 1st, 2011 AT 2:19 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Yes the light will come on when first started because it meets the evap test parameters. Did you put on a ftermarket gas cap?I have seen people use the aftermarket caps on those vues and that be the cause of the P0440. Especially when using a locking gas cap. When they checked for leaks did they do a nitrogen leak check watching the flow meter. Then do a smoke test looking for leaks?I always do it that way to double check there isnt a active leak at the time I tested it.
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Saturday, October 1st, 2011 AT 5:23 PM
Tiny
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Yes it is after market. All test were done on it cap is not the problem. No hoses were leaking. I heard it could be the charcoal caister being clogged or even the thermostat. Not sure seems like I'm just spending $$$$$ for no reason. No one can help. Iv been to two different mech. If you know anything else it could be? They performed solenoid tests, smoke test & electrical tests. Everything checked out fine & no problem. If you anything about the charcoal canister or thermostat please get back to me. Thank you.
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Saturday, October 1st, 2011 AT 5:55 PM
Tiny
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As far as the cap goes I have seen aftermarket gas caps intermintantly set that code I would hate to rule that out then go chasing your tail on something else when it was a simpe gas cap all along. Also what size engine do you have?I will do some checking on bulletines etc after you tell me your engine size.
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Saturday, October 1st, 2011 AT 11:59 PM
Tiny
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I have a 4 cylinder 2.4 liter. Wouldn't the smoke test find a leak in the gas cap? Thank you for your help so far. Appreitate it.
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Sunday, October 2nd, 2011 AT 3:16 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Just to be sure your setting a P0442 not a P0440 correct?Because there is no code P0440 for that vue I was assuming you ment P0442 all this time and just want to make sure iam correct. Also a aftermarket cap can cause a intermintant evap code set and pass the smoke test and nitrogen test.I have seen that before the first time I ran across it that really thru me for a loop wasting my time trying to track down a problem that was staring me right in the face. Also there is two ways to test with smoke and nitrogen as far as getting it in the system one way is to hook the smoke nitrogen cart to the evap test port. The other way is to have a adapter to hook it to the fuel filler neck. Thats another way the cap tests results can be skewed. If you hook the machine to the evap test port you are actually testing the cap on the actual fuel fill neck. If you use the fuel filler neck adapter then you are testing the cap on the the test adapter and not the actual fuel filler neck that the cap is normally on. So there are a few varibles here I also always test both methods myself just to cover all the varibles and my bases.
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Sunday, October 2nd, 2011 AT 7:54 PM
Tiny
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Sorry, yes it is a p0442 code. Ok I will have to find a Saturn parts dealer for the gas cap. But it is a small leak isn't the gas cap usually a large leak? Are there any other options? Did you ever head about the vapor canister being clogged? Or the thermostat? Tomorrow I am going to inspect the car myself because if the mech I brought it to tell me they have no clue then I am not bringing my car back to them. If there is any other thing besides the gas cap can you give me a heads up. Thanks.
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Sunday, October 2nd, 2011 AT 8:11 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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A bad gas cap can cause a small leak code if the cap is missing or loose you would set a large leak code.I posted a bulletin about setting that codes but you would see smoke leaking from the canister but worth a look. If you have a clogg or restriction stopping the vacuum from getting to the gas tank and the fuel pressure sensor to read the vacuum then it could sett a code. Its easy to see if there is a restriction. Unhook the evap hoses and see if you can easly blow there the lines canister etc. Its going to be hard t diagnose without atleast a smoke machine.I have seen intermintant leaks cause by fuel filler neck fuel pump module seals all kinds of crazy things.
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Sunday, October 2nd, 2011 AT 8:52 PM
Tiny
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The mech cleared the check engine lift Friday. Today after the 5th start up the check engine light came back on. It sucks cause I need to get the car inspected. Thank for your help.
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Sunday, October 2nd, 2011 AT 9:05 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Keep me posted even though he cleared the code everytime the code is cleared it resets the monitord O2 sensor egr evap cat etc so after you fix the problem you have to relearn the monitors before you get it smogged or it will fail for the monitors not being ready. Keep me posted and we will try to figure this out one way or another.
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Sunday, October 2nd, 2011 AT 9:33 PM

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