I got a check engine light the other day and took it to autozone and they told me it was a small emissions leak...the guy told me it is probably my gas cap being defective. He said to drive it for 30 miles and if the light doesnt go out then replace the gas cap. What do you all think? Could it be the gas cap? The O-ring looks find on it. What else could cause a small emissions leak? Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Stinger

 

That is a common problem, especially when people do NOT put the cap on tight, like 3 clicks. I don't think the guy would lie to you. They pull a lot of codes. You can also replace the seal on the cap. All because it LOOKS GOOD doesn't mean it's not hard and letting air by.

You could also have a vacuum elbow loose, cracked, or a vacuum line bad. This is the likely problem. You will have to look under the hood and check as many of the small vacuum lines as you can.

 

Well the cap is on tight now we will see if the light goes out. Also I noticed on a black hose on the front of the engine going to the radiator looks like there is a small hole in the tube. My mechanic friend said that could also cause the light to come on so he said to get some electrical tape and since the hole is so small just tape it up good. So I will try that also.

 

Well I turned the gas cap 3 times and drove it over 30 miles so I am thinking it might be the little hole in the hose so I will get the electrical tape and patch the hole and see if that does the trick

 

I put electrical tape on the the small hole on the hose so I hope that fixes the check engine light like my ASE tech said so we will see. I will let you know.

any other ideas for a small emisssions leak that I can try?

 

the tube you discribe could just be the computer cooling tube, they always get holes in them on the flexable part.

 

Anyone have any other ideas on what I can check for the CEL? I hate to take it to a mechanic and pay $$$$ when it could be a simple fix...Should I just go ahead and buy a new Gas cap? The old one seems fine to me but if you think that might help let me know. Small Emmisions leak means what exactly. Could it be under the car in a pipe or something?