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05 malibu maxx evap question...
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classictab
New User
Feb 23, 2010, 8:18 PM
Post #1 of 4
(6687 views)
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05 malibu maxx evap question...
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i own a 2005 chevy malibu maxx v6 w/60,000 miles. here's my story.
so at the end of december my check gas cap light came on, on the information center. about 2 days later the check engine light came on as well and stayed on. my inspection is due this month (feb) so when i had some time earlier this month i took it to the shop and told them what was going on and the guy told me it sounded like i should replace the gas cap and bring it back in after the check engine light goes off. so i buy a new locking gas cap which i had been planning to do anyways. i drove the car a couple hundred miles over the course of about 3 days and the light still stayed on. at this point i turn to the internet to find some help and it was suggested i disconnect the negative terminal on the battery for a bit then reconnect and the codes would be reset and if nothing were truly wrong than the check engine light would stay off.
well it stayed off for about 24 hours so i figure all is well and go to get my car inspected and the guy tells me everything is good except one of the 02 censors and the catalytic converter weren't reset yet and couldn't be tested until the battery reset the car. the next day after the car had finished resetting the check engine light popped back on. so i head to my local auto parts store and they run the check engine light test and it comes back a P0445 and the gentleman tells me he thinks it's cause the system became depressurized from me filling up and leaving the engine. he says pretty much all i can do is just drive it and eventually it will go back to normal.
so, i head back to the original place that told me to get a new gas cap and inform them of everything that had happened and told them what code came out. of course they suggest they need to run a diagnostic on it and see whats up and i kindly allow them to do so as i would like to solve this problem asap. first he comes back and hands me a small rock saying it was lodged against my fuel line but he still needs to finish running some tests. then he says that my vapor emission line needs to be replaced and that is what is causing the check engine light to come on. they had to order the part from GM directly and it will be a few days before it arrives. however, this morning i went out to leave for work and my light no longer comes on. i'm curious as to if maybe the rock lodged against the fuel line was messing w/the pressure causing the check engine light to come on. i just don't understand why it would go off now all of a sudden if there was something truly wrong w/my vapor emissions line. i've already bought the part but have not agreed to any labor or anything as it will be about $300. it seems my car would now pass inspection and i have until march 5th to take it back and finish getting it inspected for what i already paid.
i am thinking, if the light stays off then on friday when i have some free time i will go get the inspection finished and if it passes great and if not then i will get the work done. i suppose i should eventually get it replaced as suggested. how hight a priority should i make this as far as getting it done now or being able to hold off for a bit? is $300 over priced for a $40 part and 2.5 hours of labor? does it sound like my car will still pass the emissions portion of my inspection? any help with these questions for just advice on my situation would be very very greatly appreciated. thanks for your time and help. -J.G.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 25, 2010, 8:46 AM
Post #2 of 4
(6671 views)
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Re: 05 malibu maxx evap question...
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Two things now: You've replace that gas cap and unless it's exactly correct for the car the new one can be an issue.
The squashed vapor line which I can't see could be an issue and causing high vacuum in tank, fuel pump pressures might be effected and improper combustion will set codes after a few cycles. The codes are a guide or direction and not necessarily able to pin point every problem and surely wouldn't have one for a restricted line.
IMO $40 in parts and if true, 2.5 hours labor could easily cost the $300 where I am. You really need to fix that damaged area properly - not just fake it or ignore it. Some lines are a total pain in the butt to replace depending on where exactly and if room to install a section where damaged.
TMK it will take several warm up cycles to get an ok code for an inspection even after the light goes out. Days of use perhaps,
T
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Feb 25, 2010, 8:50 AM)
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classictab
New User
Feb 25, 2010, 1:10 PM
Post #3 of 4
(6664 views)
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Re: 05 malibu maxx evap question...
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thanks for the response. i do plan to fix the line as i have already bought the part and am still paying on the car or as i call it my biggest investment to date. it was just really strange to me that the rock was removed followed by the light going off. and now it has been a couple days and the check gas cap light nor the check engine light have reappeared. once again thanks for your input it is much appreciated as i have little to zero knowledge when it comes to those parts on a car and have never had to deal w/emissions problems before.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 25, 2010, 2:23 PM
Post #4 of 4
(6662 views)
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Re: 05 malibu maxx evap question...
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I simply can't know how that rock was situated or exactly how the lines looked. If by chance that was a rubber section (originally by design) that probably could temporarily squish tight and work again when unsquished.
Evaporative emissions stuff has been around a while, mostly without any problems. With the car's computer monitoring more and more as they get newer it can know pressures in tank are not within spec and probably could trigger a false warning of gas cap being the problem.
By about the time a car can put out a code for "rock struck fuel line" I'll get a horse!
T
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