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DTC/P0442

P0442: Evaporative Emission System Leak Detected (Small Leak)

Quick Answer
Bassa GravitàSicuro da guidare (a breve termine)Sistema EVAP

P0442 means the engine control unit has detected a small leak in the evaporative emission control system. This system captures fuel vapours from the tank and routes them to the engine to be burned. A small leak allows vapours to escape, increasing hydrocarbon emissions.

Costo di riparazione stimatoDa €10 a €450+, varia in base al veicolo

Cosa significa P0442?

P0442 means the engine control unit has detected a small leak in the evaporative emission control system. This system captures fuel vapours from the tank and routes them to the engine to be burned. A small leak allows vapours to escape, increasing hydrocarbon emissions.

P0442 è un codice diagnostico di guasto relativo a sistema evap, classificato con gravità low. Quando la centralina (ECU) del tuo veicolo rileva questa condizione, memorizza P0442 e accende la spia motore.

Quali sono i sintomi di P0442?

Se il tuo veicolo ha attivato P0442, potresti notare uno o più di questi sintomi:

  • Check engine light on
  • Faint fuel smell near the vehicle, especially in warm weather
  • Failed emissions test
  • No noticeable driveability symptoms in most cases
  • Fuel cap warning light on some vehicles

Cosa causa P0442?

Ecco le cause più comuni di P0442, ordinate in base alla probabilità che siano la causa del problema:

altaLoose, damaged, or missing fuel cap
altaCracked or deteriorated EVAP hoses
mediaFaulty purge valve (stuck open)
mediaLeaking charcoal canister
bassaDamaged fuel tank filler neck or seal

È sicuro guidare con P0442?

In genere sì, per brevi tragitti. A small EVAP leak does not affect engine performance or safety. You can drive normally, but repair before your next emissions inspection. A loose fuel cap is the most common cause.

Come si diagnostica P0442?

Segui questi passaggi per individuare la causa principale di P0442:

  1. Check the fuel cap first. Remove it, inspect the rubber seal for cracks or debris, and re-seat it until it clicks. Clear the code and drive for a few days to see if it returns
  2. Visually inspect all EVAP hoses from the fuel tank to the charcoal canister and from the canister to the purge valve at the engine. Look for cracks, loose clamps, or disconnections
  3. Perform a smoke test on the EVAP system by sealing the system and introducing smoke. Watch for smoke escaping at hose connections, the canister, or the fuel tank area
  4. Test the purge valve and vent valve with a scan tool by commanding them open and closed. A stuck-open purge valve can allow ambient air into the system, mimicking a leak
  5. If the smoke test reveals no external leaks, inspect the charcoal canister for cracks and the fuel tank for damage, particularly around the fuel pump module seal

Quanto costa riparare P0442?

I costi di riparazione di P0442 variano a seconda della causa principale e del tuo veicolo. Ecco le stime tipiche:

Riparazione Costo dei ricambi Costo della manodopera Stima totale Difficoltà fai-da-te
Replace fuel cap €10–€40 €0–€0 €10–€40 Facile
Replace EVAP hose(s) €10–€60 €40–€150 €50–€210 Moderata
Replace purge valve or vent valve €20–€100 €30–€120 €50–€220 Moderata
Replace charcoal canister €60–€250 €60–€200 €120–€450 Moderata

Prezzi stimati al March 2026. I costi variano in base alla regione, al veicolo e all'officina.

P0442 su veicoli specifici

P0442 si comporta in modo diverso a seconda del tuo veicolo. Seleziona la tua auto qui sotto per cause specifiche del modello, problemi noti e stime dei costi adeguate:

Volkswagen

P0442 su Volkswagen Golf

2003-2024

The Golf Mk5 and Mk6 have a known issue with the N80 purge valve sticking, which can trigger P0442. The EVAP hoses routed under the vehicle near the fuel tank are also susceptible to damage from road debris. VW fuel caps use a bayonet-style lock that must be turned until it clicks.

Cosa causa P0442 su una Volkswagen Golf?

Volkswagen GolfN80 purge valve sticking open or closed
Volkswagen GolfEVAP hose damage from road debris under the vehicle

Costo di riparazione di P0442 per Volkswagen Golf

Costi stimati per i proprietari di Volkswagen Golfadeguato al rialzo rispetto alla media a causa dei prezzi dei ricambi specifici Volkswagen

Riparazione Costo dei ricambi Costo della manodopera Stima totale Difficoltà fai-da-te
Replace fuel cap €11–€44 €0–€0 €11–€44 Facile
Replace EVAP hose(s) €11–€66 €44–€165 €55–€231 Moderata
Replace purge valve or vent valve €22–€110 €33–€132 €55–€242 Moderata
Replace charcoal canister €66–€275 €66–€220 €132–€495 Moderata

Prezzi stimati al March 2026. I costi variano in base alla regione, al veicolo e all'officina.

BMW

P0442 su BMW 3 Series

2006-2024

BMW vehicles use a leak detection pump (LDP) to test the EVAP system. A failing LDP can falsely trigger P0442 even when there is no actual leak. The fuel tank vent valve on E90 models is also a known failure point. BMW caps are capless on some newer models.

Cosa causa P0442 su una BMW 3 Series?

BMW 3 SeriesFailing leak detection pump giving false positive
BMW 3 SeriesFuel tank vent valve failure on E90 models

Costo di riparazione di P0442 per BMW 3 Series

Costi stimati per i proprietari di BMW 3 Seriesadeguato al rialzo rispetto alla media a causa dei prezzi dei ricambi specifici BMW

Riparazione Costo dei ricambi Costo della manodopera Stima totale Difficoltà fai-da-te
Replace fuel cap €13–€52 €0–€0 €13–€52 Facile
Replace EVAP hose(s) €13–€78 €52–€195 €65–€273 Moderata
Replace purge valve or vent valve €26–€130 €39–€156 €65–€286 Moderata
Replace charcoal canister €78–€325 €78–€260 €156–€585 Moderata

Prezzi stimati al March 2026. I costi variano in base alla regione, al veicolo e all'officina.

Ford

P0442 su Ford Focus

2005-2022

The Focus uses a vacuum-based EVAP monitoring system. The purge valve on the 1.6 Ti-VCT and 2.0 GDI engines is mounted on the intake manifold and can develop carbon buildup causing it to stick. The fuel cap on European models is a standard screw-type.

Cosa causa P0442 su una Ford Focus?

Ford FocusPurge valve carbon buildup on 1.6 Ti-VCT/2.0 GDI
Ford FocusCracked EVAP hose near the charcoal canister
Toyota

P0442 su Toyota Yaris

2006-2024

P0442 on the Yaris is most commonly caused by a worn fuel cap seal, as the cap is a simple screw-type design. The EVAP system on Toyota vehicles is very reliable and rarely develops hose or canister issues. A new cap almost always resolves the code.

Cosa causa P0442 su una Toyota Yaris?

Toyota YarisWorn fuel cap seal
Toyota YarisCharcoal canister saturation from fuel tank overfilling

Costo di riparazione di P0442 per Toyota Yaris

Costi stimati per i proprietari di Toyota Yarisadeguato al ribasso rispetto alla media a causa dei prezzi dei ricambi specifici Toyota

Riparazione Costo dei ricambi Costo della manodopera Stima totale Difficoltà fai-da-te
Replace fuel cap €9–€34 €0–€0 €9–€34 Facile
Replace EVAP hose(s) €9–€51 €34–€128 €43–€179 Moderata
Replace purge valve or vent valve €17–€85 €26–€102 €43–€187 Moderata
Replace charcoal canister €51–€213 €51–€170 €102–€383 Moderata

Prezzi stimati al March 2026. I costi variano in base alla regione, al veicolo e all'officina.

Questi codici compaiono spesso insieme a P0442 o indicano problemi correlati:

Domande frequenti su P0442

Can a loose gas cap cause P0442?

Yes. A loose, cracked, or missing fuel cap is the most common cause of P0442. The EVAP system is sealed, and even a slight gap at the cap allows vapours to escape. Always tighten the cap until you hear it click and replace it if the seal is worn.

What is the difference between P0442 and P0455?

Both indicate EVAP system leaks, but P0442 is a small leak (less than about 1mm equivalent orifice) while P0455 is a large leak. Small leaks are often from deteriorated hoses or a worn cap seal. Large leaks suggest a disconnected hose or missing cap.

Will P0442 go away on its own?

If the cause was a loose fuel cap and you tighten it properly, the ECU will eventually clear the code after several successful EVAP system tests during normal driving. This may take 3-5 drive cycles. You can also clear it with a scanner.

Is P0442 serious?

It is not mechanically serious and will not damage your engine or affect performance. However, it means fuel vapours are escaping into the atmosphere, and the check engine light will cause a failed emissions inspection in any EU country.

How does the EVAP system detect a small leak?

Most modern vehicles use either a vacuum-based test or a dedicated leak detection pump. The system seals itself and applies a slight vacuum or pressure, then monitors whether it holds. A small drop indicates a leak, and the ECU sets P0442.

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