Warning: a 2007 Civic's EVAP leak took me three days to find

The smoke machine showed nothing, but a pinched hose under the charcoal canister was the culprit. Anyone else have a simple fix that turned into a marathon?

3 comments

3 Comments

carr.james1mo ago

Man, those evap leaks can be pure evil. The smoke test is supposed to be the answer, but sometimes the leak is so small it just won't show. Had a similar thing on an old Accord where the leak was only under a specific vacuum condition. Ended up spraying soapy water on every single line and connector while the system was pressurized. Found a tiny crack in a purge valve nipple you couldn't even see. Sometimes you gotta go back to the simple stuff when the fancy tool lies to you.

dylan6191mo ago

Gotta admit, the soapy water trick is a classic for a reason. But calling a smoke machine a "fancy tool that lies" seems a bit strong. In my experience, if the smoke test shows nothing, maybe the leak isn't in the usual spots, or the machine itself needs a check. Those tiny vacuum-only leaks are a special kind of headache, though.

drewc621mo ago

Tbh the soapy water trick is underrated. My buddy's shop still uses it as a final check even after a clean smoke test. Those tiny cracks only show up under pressure.