Hey folks,

Does anybody have a picture of the vacuum hose routing on the 2005 Bonneville SE? There isn't one anywhere under the hood, so unless it is hiding somewhere odd, the vehicle doesn't appear to have one. A sticker that is.

The computer is throwing a P0442 "Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Small Leak Detected" code currently. I've checked the gas cap and inspected the seal on it as well. I've checked all of the hose connections readily visible, but I've had some trouble tracing a few of them to find the other ends. The double vacuum hose that connects near the throttle was a little loose, but other than that, nothing visibly wrong.

It is going to the dealership if I can't track it down by the end of the week. The local Pontiac dealership couldn't check it out for a few days (only two techs) so I decided to take it to Advanced and at least get an idea of what was going on.

Evap Routing. Vacuum Routing

The most likely suspect for your problem is the evaporative vent solenoid. Follow the routing from the cannister (a grey of block box under the car near the back seat) back toward the rear tire. You'll find a small box about the size of a deck of cards. Remove that, take it apart, clean it, lube it with silcone grease, and reinstall. See if that fixes the problem.

Thanks Archon!

Quick question...

I know where it is in relation to the wheel and body from diagrams, but which side of the car is the evap canister and the vent solonoid?

Also, does anybody know of any Bonneville experienced techs/mechanics in the Birmingham area that can deal with this sort of problem in a single day? The closest dealership, Cr*** Pontiac, clearly doesn't see many of them.

The cannister is to the driver'* side of center, under the car, just behind the rear foot well and just ahead of the rear suspension framing. The vent solenoid is by the rear wheel. It is an easy fix, doesn't take more than an hour or two at most. The dealer will likely want to do their own diagnosis.

Thanks again Archon! I know they'll want to do their own diagnostic work, but I'd like to know as much as possible, in case I can fix it, or in case they try to swindle me. I've never dealt with a GM dealership before (Ford man usually) so I'm somewhat cautious with the service departments because I don't know them.

Gotcha. Any of the things show in the evap routing can cause the problem. The vent solenoid has been known to cause a problem by not sealing properly during the system test.

Because I've been looking to find a decent dealership option for repairs here in Birmingham (the local Pontiac dealer has two techs and wants weeks worth of notice for an appointment) I decided to take the car to one of the major Chevy dealers here in town, more to test them out than to repair the car.

I'm glad I did, because even though it wouldn't have been an issue until next summer when emissions comes due, I NEVER would have found this one. Obviously the gas cap was leaking, I mean it seems inevitable with modern cars, but I was going to replace it anyway. But... The filler tube clamp wan't on right, and was leaking air. Here'* to smoke tests... The price was well worth it to know that there was a competant dealer nearby for situations beyond my abilities. I've been struggling to find one.

Glad to hear that they found it for you. Sounds like they followed the recommended procedure for finding the leak. If you're interested, this is the procedure for the p0440 code.
P0440

Well, I might have been able to blow smoke into the system, but I have no clue how I could have lived without a J 41413-SPT High Intensity White Light!