P0442

I have a Jeep Libertry,02 model with a 3.7L engine and the error code is P0442. What does this mean? [/list]

P0442 refers to a small leak in the Evaporative Emissions System(It purges fuel tank vapors into the engine to be burned rather than vented into the atmosphere). From time to time the PCM pressurizes this system to check its integrity. If it senses a small leak, then it sets this code.

Is your gas cap on tight? Recheck it.

you likely have split line in the evap hose system, pretty common around the gas tank, unless the gas cap has failled ! If you're going to try a cap, get the dealer one!

I agree. I had the same code and it is probably the gas cap if there is no pressure leak in the vent hose running from the fuel filler neck. In my case the cheap replacement cap at autozone did not fix it but the original equipment type did.

Ridiculous in my opinion that we have check engine lights coming on over something like a gas cap. And don't jump on me, I am in favor of protecting the environment. Just give me some obvious indicator so people don't have to take it into the shop over something that trivial.

So what is determined to be trivial, an evaporative emissions leak that causes ozone depletion or a misfire that burns the converter up? Trivial or not the Obd2 system is decreasing greenhouse emissions because without check engine lights people wouldn't service they're car till it wouldn't run! Too many folks get on here looking for the magic bullet to fix there "codes" because something that has been neglectted has caused the light to come on! The fact that the new systems have seperate light for evap dtcs mean more people will be driving around with it on once it's out of warranty or too expensive for there taste to repair! Eventually we all have On-Star type systems that will shut the vehicle down or disable it enough that it will have to be repairred to be useable again. That in my opinion will be along overdue step in the right direction!

Well the answer is nothing is too trivial if one makes their living at a dealership or repair shop. But to most car owners who are scratching just to own and maintain a car to get to work, a lot of things are too trivial.

It is just another sign of the growing greed and desparation in an economy where we don't produce many real products any more, we provide "services".

Many manufacturers, on recent models have a "check gas cap light" that illuminates when a telltale code sets in the PCM. This is to help vehicle owners keep costs down. Let me emphasize, WE don't make the cars....we just service them. Refrain from placing the blame from a wilting economy and greedy oil business on the auto repair industry. We have no control over which vehicles are manufactured. We only train and go to school in order to fix the product. If you'd like to debate the greed of the oil industry or some such subject, I believe there is a forum for "everything else" where they could be posted.
With regards to the high cost of repairing cars, yes, it is expensive. So is fixing your stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, lawn tractor, Hvac unit, roof, foundation, siding, carpet, flooring, and the list goes on. May I ask, what do you do?

It nevers fails to make me laugh how many people are "scratching to get by" that drive such new vehicles! It's a sad state that the goverment has too almost force people to repair and service there vehicles becuase they won't until forced too. I guess we should just do what china does when the vehicles won't meet such stringent emission requirements then you can't drive them and are forced financially to get one that does. Over there owning a vehicle is a great privellege! Not a right! I've learneed that the same people that drive new every 5 yrs are the same that won't maintain or repair what they already have. Becasue they either hate to pay for it or they don't know enough to do the servicing req'd. I guess If they can afford why not keeping buying new eh!

Well said. Yeah, no one likes to repair anything because of the "high cost" but the same ones are plunking down 35,000 dollars for a Gas guzzling SUV that gets 15 miles to the gallon at $3.50 a gallon. The truth is, most people dont' think that we deserve to be paid a fair wage for what we do. They think that only THEY deserve a fair wage, just no one else.

I had a "gas cap" problem and changed it and reset the code. The light is out now but according to the Smog Tech I have to wait a day or so for some reason, is there a timer also? How does one know when it's ok to take it back in to be rechecked?