PO442 Evaporative Emission System Small Leak - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu Diagnosis and Fix
I'm experiencing a recurring OBD2 fault code PO442 indicating a small leak in the evaporative emission system. After replacing the gas cap and clearing the code, the error returns within 4 to 5 days and persists indefinitely. The issue is puzzling because, if there's an actual leak, I would expect the check engine light to trigger sooner—within one day—rather than after several days. I've confirmed that the gas cap was properly replaced and sealed. What other components could be causing this intermittent leak? Are there known common failure points in the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu's evaporative system? Any insights or troubleshooting steps would be greatly appreciated.
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