EVAP system code-I'm being taken for a ride

Help My 2001 Sonata check engine light came on and the codes came back for
EVAP system leak small and large. I've had mechanics tell me the fuel
filter needed to be changed (which I did) and that spark plugs need to be
changed also, as well as air filter and about anythign else they can come
up with. Do any of these have anything to do with the EVAP system. Car
will give a little lurch when driving it and then not accelerate well and
feel sluggish to drive. I get different stories from every place I take
it and am desperate for some info from anyone who can help as money is
tight and I don't have cash for extraneous repairs!

 

The fuel filter, spark plugs, and underhood air filter have *nothing* to
do
with an EVAP leak.

On the other hand, the EVAP leak has nothing to do with the lurch and
sluggishness, which could be related to the items above. On the other
hand, if your sluggish acceleration is only at slow speeds or from stops,
it sounds like the transmission is going into failsafe, indicating a
transmission or transmission control problem, which should store a code
in
the engine computer indicating the TCM's request for a check engine lamp
as
well as more descriptive codes in the TCM.

 

Yikes sounds scary. Looks like I'll have to take it back in and see if
they can identifiy the problem. Of note too is that the check engine
light goes off as the gas gauge gets close to "E". Does that make any
sense in the scheme of things? I did buy a new gas cap first off to see if
that was the issue but unfortunately not.

 

Yikes sounds scary. Looks like I'll have to take it back in and see if
they can identifiy the problem. Of note too is that the check engine
light goes off as the gas gauge gets close to "E". Does that make any
sense in the scheme of things? I did buy a new gas cap first off to see if
that was the issue but unfortunately not.

 

could the EVAP message be from something as simple as a bad gasket on
the fuel filler cap?

 

That makes some sense for the EVAP trouble code. How quickly the tank
vacuums and bleeds down depends on the amount of fuel in the tank, so if
it's a small leak (presuming it's an actual leak), it may bleed down
slowly enough with the tank empty for the computer not to recognize the
leak.

 

Thanks. I was just told by Pep Boys where I took the car in to have it
looked at that only a hyundai dealer can check these codes to see what the
actual problem is. Imagine my fright now. I'll be taking it in today to
the dealer to hear what they have to say. Hopefully I'll be able to take
it elsewhere for service to avoid the massive expense I'm fearing.

 

It sounds to me like you may have already experienced the massive expense
by having a significant amount of work done that doesn't address the EVAP
problem. It doesn't do any good to take your car somewhere where they
cannot accurately diagnose the problem your car has. I personally don't
think the dealer is the only place that can diagnose an EVAP problem, but
it can be tricky to diagnose and does require special equipment.

Be sure to let the dealer know about the lamp going off when the tank is
empty, as well. Relax, authorize the diagnostic charge, and let them
check your car. If they're honest, they'll give you an estimate for the
work and let you know the consequences if you don't have the work done.
It's even possible that the repairs may not be that expensive. If you
want to shop around, find out specifically what needs to be done, and call
a few places. If they don't know what you're talking about, better to stay
at the dealer.

 

So the mechanics have decided that there's a problem with the fuil tank
pressure sensor. Is that a biggie to replace?

Thanks again for all your help!

 

Nope. Don't recall the cost of the part, but labor should be low.

 

Thanks. Just got the car back from the dealer. They went with what they
thought was a faulty valve on the cannister. No charge. Drove back to
work and car hesitated and ck engine lite came back on. Sigh. They're
looking at it Mon and this time they think they'll check the fuel pressure
sensor. Just an update.

 

Last time I took a car to that chain.... the A/C developed a leaky line near
the compressor a few days later and I brought it back claiming that they had
damaged it. The service guy at the desk said "...for your car's kind of
repair, we don't touch the A/C system.... you are wrong..."... unfortunately
for him, a car just like mine was having the same repair done right behind
me and. surprise suprise, the mechanic had the AC compressor unbolted from
its brace and flipped back on top of the aircleaner. Unbelievably, the
service writer STILL tried to claim that they never do it... even after
pointing out the live example.

I met some folks who have worked there... they tended to put untrained
people on repair jobs that are complex even if the employee complains.
Imagine someone trained (only) to replace tires being told he has to take
the dash apart to do some major repair....

Hope your local place is better than this... although I found similar
incompetence in that places' shops in other parts of the country too
(relatives used to get service done there).