2002 Saturn SL2 Service Engine Soon - Evaporative System -

Tiny
ANNAVOLAT
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 SATURN SL2
Engine Performance problem
2002 Saturn SL2 74000 miles

I have a 2002 Saturn SL2. The service engine soon light came on in October. I took it into Sears because it was slightly overdue for an oil change and they told me it might just be the oil change and/or a need for some fluid changes, etc. So I paid them to do all that. The light went away for about a month and then came back. I was then advised to take it to a mechanic who could run the codes, etc. So I did. The mechanic told me that the Sears person was an idiot and it never could have been the oil change or anything to do with my fluids. He told me he could figure it out. He charged me to diagnose the problem. Of course. And then said the code was for the evaporative system? And that the only thing he could find wrong with that system in my car was a cracked gas cap. He charged me $20 on top of the diagnosis fee to fix it, said he'd checked it three times to make sure he'd solved the problem and said I was good to go. So basically, I ended up paying more than $100 for him to put on a new gas cap. I was fine with that but. It's been a couple weeks and the light is back on. What now? Any ideas? Are there some simple fixits I can try on my own before taking it back to the mechanic? I don't want to pay another diagnosis fee if it's something like the gas cap again. Although I'm assuming that's not the problem because he just replaced it a couple weeks ago. Any ideas what it could be? The mechanic assured me that the gas cap thing had fixed the problem. But I've got a service engine light. And I simply can't afford to take the car in for a diagnosis every other week. I'd like to learn how to at least check for the simple stuff on my own? Help? And thanks.
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Sunday, December 6th, 2009 AT 6:27 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Sorry to hear about all ur problems with diagnosing a evap leak. Unfornately the gas cap being loose or the gasket being cracked is the easy check. What sucks is alot of people dont really understand how the system works. There is alot that could be wrong u have to figure out if u have a leak in the system or a bad sensor like ur coolant temp sensor fuel tank pressure sensor I have seen those stick causing the code to set.U could have a bad vent solindo or canister purge solindo I have seen bad wires in the engine harness causing intermintant codes fuel pump orings leaking fuel filler necks leaking only when going down the road. Unless u have a tech2 with right software and a smoke/nitron cart and know how to use then there isnt alot u can do.U can check all the hoses for the evap system but there isnt alot I can think of u can check. Sorry for the bad news but as u can u see there is alot going on with that system it runs from ur engine to ur fuel tank. If u have anymore questions let me know. The only thing I can say is for now live with the light and save up to fix it and go to a good shop that can fix it right.
Louie
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Sunday, December 6th, 2009 AT 11:41 AM

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