Buick LeSabre - Large EVAP Leak

In this video we have a look at customers 2005 Buick LeSabre that came in with a code for a large EVAP leak. I run you through the process of finding and repairing the leak.
-Enjoy!
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Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained.

[@kevindinsdale4103]

McCoy is lucky that he has the best teacher ever. I hope he watches and learns.

[@SkidMarkSteve69]

Dr. O

[@kenj.8897]

Might even learn the old reach around .🎉

[@rcf8367]

But being a kid, he won't realize it until 5 years later…

[@shameless6963]

I was gonna leave same comment. Take in every bit of knowledge you can and really pay attention to this man's morals. Good luck to you

[@Speedraider366]

Agreed, be a sponge 🧽 kid your under a Jedi Master, use the force. I like to be the customer as well… well it’s not broke drive it around for a cycle to complete. Honestly keeps customers happy and returning

[@michellemain8768]

Thank you for allowing McCoy an opportunity to work in your shop. My 16 year-old son is lucky to have found a shop to let him work and learn there as well. We parents and forever consumers thank you for teaching them a trade that is and will almost certainly be necessary for decades to come.

[@DanBurgess-hp1mj]

Your kids name is Mc Coy… maybe you should have named him Goober ?

[@clintprice2123]

Eric has more integrity than most shops put together. He’s very humble, a noble trait.

[@jamesspash5561]

Some time have McCoy do a Diag video with your guidance. 40 plus years ago as a young learner I worked with a guy like you who taught me a lot. More and more when I had asked too many questions or the shop was busy, he'd say "scope it out" He'd let me struggle for a while then step in with a pointer or two if he noticed I was going in the wrong direction. Ultimately this would lead me in my own direction to the solution. That way I never forgot.

[@Intabih]

I'd like to know what McCoy knew prior to coming in and what are some things he has learned so far.

[@DanBurgess-hp1mj]

And now you’re a top notch grease monkey

[@gdt5430]

I love this channel, Precise to the point, no merch BS, just great diagnostics and solutions. Best of all pure honesty in repair work. I feel terrible for the folks in upstate NY that have to replace their cars every so many years because the State loves their salt. With the price of cars and trucks now days that has to be very painful. Thanks Eric.

[@t5ruxlee210]

Salt keeps the traffic moving and that helps to minimize what could otherwise be very bad accidents but I take your point. I once drove 100+ miles in minimal trafic on snow packed superhighway pavement after a big storm. That was back when studded tires were still legal.

[@Robsvo]

@@t5ruxlee210 Studded tires are legal in NY in the winter.

[@GlycerinZ]

@@t5ruxlee210 keeps the traffic moving but also literally rots your car.

[@tedsaylor6016]

@@t5ruxlee210 Funny, Montana does not use salt (too cold there for salt to work) and those folks manage and their cars last.

[@t5ruxlee210]

@@GlycerinZ We used to joke that the big three should provide free road salt "as a public service".

[@drstewart]

I can't say enough good things about giving a young person the opportunity to learn in your shop Mr. O! It's so rare to see. The same people who say "kids don't want to work" are the same ones that refuse to give them a chance, forgetting that they were given a chance to learn as well.

[@drstewart]

@@phillipbanes5484 Opinions vary.

[@kevincampbell8298]

You have to teach him the classic “well there”s your problem lady”! LOL

[@billyscott922]

Eric, just wanted to say I love your content. McCoy is a lucky lad to have such a wonderful teacher.

[@DanBurgess-hp1mj]

Lad ? Really ? Lad

[@knockywigglesworth1909]

We've made a few $$'s with a scan tool & the knowledge that Evap not ready will pass local Epa test in IL.. If all monitors have run & no active mil! Has to be that way for 5'minutes every 2 years to buy new plate sticker.

[@joedingman4181]

Another fine GM product for Dr O to find the spot on diagnosis class is in session...

[@billdoodson4232]

I was just thinking I hadn't seen a video from Eric for a while and less than 5 minutes later, this one pops up. Good one Eric, hi from the UK.

[@petemedina8446]

This is the second video of the day for this channel🎉

[@crisprtalk6963]

Google knew what you were thinking!!

[@billdoodson4232]

@@petemedina8446 Odd, the previous one when I looked was 7 days ago. I don't bother with any of the shorts though. Maybe that would have been the other one.

[@richard3141592638]

As a non-mechanic, that was a great tour around what seems to be a complicated solution to a non-problem.... Thanks Mr O - great video, as always

[@DanBurgess-hp1mj]

You’re just “ stupid “

[@mattbalik2585]

I've been chasing a P0440 EVAP code on my '01 Cavalier for some time without success. Changed the filler neck, verified both purge and vent valves work numerous times and smoke tested the system without finding any leaks. Quite the conundrum indeed!

[@grumpydumper]

preaty sure they all rolled off the assembly line with the lite on owed a few

[@agger838]

Check the fuel pump ring?

[@Mr2004MCSS]

My son's 03 Cavalier has an Evap code(not sure which one) that he has had for a while. If he didn't live so far away I would put my smoke machine on it and use my scanner to activate the purge and vent valve to see if I could figure it out.

[@dav1dsm1th]

It was interesting to see the tank fill tube swivel as you turned the fuel cap @ 13:00 - definitely seemed like that would be leaking quite bad (seems like the tube ought to be anchored at the flap end somehow). Thanks for the videos Mr O. Stay safe out there.

[@williamschmitz971]

Love the fact you didn’t throw parts at it jus because it has been an issue on other GM cars! Good war to train McCoy in the right direction!! Great job Eric!

[@kens.3729]

Year 2005 already has two (2) Tires in the Grave and Leaning Hard into the Hole. Time to Sell the Buick to Wilbert’s Junk Yard. 😬👍

[@mph5896]

If that was my car, my best friends car, or my mothers car I would put a high quality gas cap, purge solenoid and vent valve on it and send it. They are not high dollar items, and you really aren't just tossing parts on it. They are high failure items that can definitely be intermittent. Better than having to come back to it and touch it again.

[@STree42]

100 pct. Kills me to watch this guy refuse to replace cheap parts once he's already done 90 pct of the labor simply bc he can't prove beyond a shadow of a doubt it's defective. Ends up costing the customer so much more.

[@W62315]

Eric -- I noticed that when you closed the gas cap at 13:05 the filler neck rotated probably 5-10 degrees. Not sure if that's normal, but I wonder if that could contribute to an intermittent gross leak depending on where the neck lands in the filler tube. Just a thought.

[@ellesmerewildwood4858]

The 3.8 was a damn good engine, Holdens in Australia used them for many years from the VN - VY Commodore and they were reliable and robust. Then Holden introduced the 3.6 Alloytech in the VZ Commodore which was an absolute POS with soft valves, no oiling for the rear valves relying solely on splash and constant timing chain replacements every 150 ks.

[@CedarPass]

It moved.....@ 13:01 the filler neck moved when tightening the gas cap. I'll watch the rest of the video hoping that's something my favorite mechanic discovers as well. Such excitement!!! Update: It wasn't specifically called out. Dangit! I figure when the customer is finished putting gas in there (or fiddling around with the gas cap for any reason) they may twist the filler neck into a non-sealed position...and before ya know it you've got a "large leak". Explains how it's "intermittent" and not readily repeatable by Mr. O. But rest assured, the new clamp and the tightening will likely have fixed the problem - so call this one "done"!

[@mikemiller3565]

Nice catch. Good reason to video that filler neck.

[@joeanthony7820]

There was no clamp on it at that time.

[@jth1987leb]

Why was the filler neck moving when you took the gas cap on and off?

[@BobSakamoto]

Got a chill down my spine watching this one. From the years of running a shop, there were at least half the customers who'd be back when the intermittent finally failed. And even though you told them it was working at the time you saw it but might not be in the future, you'd get the rant of "I already brought it to you once! You're scamming me by making me come for another visit". Considering how many crooks are out there and how little people understand about their cars, I guess I can see why they'd think that. But it makes it hard to run an honest shop.

[@maccarr9072]

3.8 was a good one for sure

[@dondenny2534]

I wish I had gotten into the fuel cap business years ago!😂

[@stevestadnik9206]

I have found more evap leaks with soapy water than seeing smoke. Lots of Hyundais with cracked plastic fuel pumps found the same way you were spraying pump. Keep up the good fight.

[@int53185]

I owned a LeSabre just like this one. It had a different evap leak every year at emissions testing time. One year I replaced the filler neck and gas cap. The next year was the purge solenoid, followed by year three it was the pressure sensor. It didn't make it to year four. The rear coil spring mounts completely rotted out leaving the springs jambed precariously against the shocks. Great car otherwise.

[@pzapped]

Thanks for your moral stance. Its edifying and thanks go's to your parents for helping form you into a man with a solid character. Brings joy to the heart of this viewer.

[@DanBurgess-hp1mj]

Sounds like he might be your soulmate ?

[@dannypalmer7701]

Thats alot of work and testing!

[@TheJmich2001]

Mc Coy will remember EVERYTHING you teach him. He got a golden ticket like Marie and Hannah and Josh and J. and V and T.. You sir are a beacon of excellence and you inspire confidence... I am honored o have met you.!!!! NJ

[@DanBurgess-hp1mj]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Mc Clown

[@LesReeves]

Thanks for a video that does not have over commentry & also for your usual open honesty plus learning how an evap system works Cheers Mr O.

[@joesepspindel3335]

In taxachusetts a 15 year old vehicle doesn't have to pass emissions to get a sticker it just has to pass safety. We have the same issue with rust and most vehicles that old are rust boxes.

[@dans_Learning_Curve]

"As a person who has morals!" A great quality to have!!

[@gkizzle1265]

I really appreciate the fact that Eric is showing Mccoy the proper way to do business and not how to play wild bill hickock with the parts revolver even though it potentially cost him in hrs on a job that he could have had like 99 percent of the mechanics that i've delt with would do Eric O is the best mechanic i've seen by far

[@alexp363]

Oh how I miss the 3800 Series II!!! I've had a few of them.

[@Yoji808]

Wish you were close to me (I am in UK).. I would bring all my (and family/friends) cars to you.. You are the consummate professional.. well done :)

[@PatrickJago]

So you’re not a thief. Rare breed my friend. Even the grocery store by me steals.

[@TarZan49]

It's good to hear about how the evap system works. My light comes on for a small leak once in a while.

[@daviddelle774]

Trouble shooting my own Saturn Ion for a small leak I hooked my smoke machine at the same place and waited for the flow ball to settle. I looked everywhere for smoke. I used snoop (soapy water) everywhere. I can NOT find any sign of a leak! I did learn something when I decided to remove the gas cap to make sure I was getting smoke all the way through the system. When I removed the cap, the flow ball on the smoke machine did not rise up off the bottom and the tank pressure remained high. I thought I was crazy! But the system stays pressurized with the cap off!! Apparently, there is a "rollover valve" in the tank at the filler neck to prevent spillage in a rollover accident. I assume it's like a swing check and will allow the fuel in but if you try to push against it, it seals tight. That's my theory. So my next step, I guess, is going to be pressurize the system from the filler neck as soon as I get an attachment to hook the smoke machine where the gas cap is. Or, is it possible that my system only leaks under a vacuum and not under pressure??? Hope to find out soon.

[@paulyoung4814]

Thanks for the detailed troubleshooting

[@mikechiodetti4482]

The young guy will learn from the best. You found one problem, now it's up to the customer to drive the vehicle to see what happens. Can't fix what you can't see! Good one Mr. O. Hope young McCoy is picking up this knowledge and learning a lot!

[@xnewguyx2738]

In the time I watched this it went from 2k views to 8.5k. Thank you Mr O.

[@BucketList22]

Eric, it's in the seventies here in the free state of Texas. I just checked and my 2006 Dodge 2500 still isn't rusted. You're always welcome!

[@georgeburns7251]

? So? No one really cares

[@BucketList22]

​​@@georgeburns7251troll much? You're obviously new around here, or you would understand my comment....

[@joejohnson7097]

Thanks for the video. Enjoy watching. Thanks for helping McCoy learn the trade

[@larrymoney1127]

The people that live in your area and have work Done by you are very lucky. Most shops would go with that "hunch" and say this is the problem and start replacing parts. Not you, your an honest guy who has a reputation and most people would die to have someone like yourself working on their cars. I know I would. Thanks again Eric for all the educational videos you post. Always look forward to seeing your next video brother.

[@JoseMartinez-tc9pr]

Teaching McCoy integrity. And another diagnosis for me with the 1998 buick century..took your advice. Rebuild head gasket kit and timing chain kit. The only issue is the new cam shaft position sensor won't relearn after reset.

[@qemuandroid_8.144]

You've got both the skills and the proper attitude. Love it. One thing you might have tried given the conditions is let the engine warm up and check those valves again when hot, But then you're the expert, I'm not.

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

Perfect timing my son’s 97 Grand Prix GT has had this issue for months.

[@user-oi9bg6fx5t]

97 still on the road, guessing you don’t live in the rust belt?

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

@@user-oi9bg6fx5t unfortunately I do (NYC).

[@snoopdogie187]

@@user-oi9bg6fx5t I'm driving a 95 Jeep, its probably been in the rust belt its entire life. Its a Jeep, you know its not the summer only vehicle.

[@jayschroeder8091]

Great job ... your are good man buy not throwing parts at it

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

I just had a p1450 code. Nothing wrong with canister, but we changed out the purge valve per mfr's instruction sheet. One other thing we did was to clean the capless fuel filler pocket and spring hinge with compressed air and WD-40. Apparently they can refuse to seal. There's also a rubber seal on the filler door that I think gets worn and lets water in to the tank and dust into the flapper's spring hinge.

[@NickMango]

Good thing is he can have one monitor up on that car and still get an inspection I think. In NY I mean. I would drive it, check the monitors, when they’re all up but that one bring it in boom you good to go.

[@keithstroud2908]

Good on ya for keepin the parts in the cannon!

[@taurus66]

You have a young mechanic with you i hope he learns your morals and ethics and patience to be a great mechanic like yourself sir

[@DanBurgess-hp1mj]

Great hack… he couldn’t trace down the problem

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

Who would have thought, an honest mechanic 😅

[@LesReeves]

Not when it comes to Mr O you must not have watched his vids before there is no more honest than he.

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

@@LesReeves I know he’s an honest mechanic, it’s satire

[@gmshitbox5621]

I had a buick like this where I would smell gas in the cabin if I took sharp corners. Ended up being the fuel pump lock ring, was so rotted that it stopped holding the fuel pump down, and fuel was sloshing out of it and getting into the trunk.

[@kenj.8897]

I had a 2008 Grand Prix 3.8 at 5 years old the transmission lines rotted out . I had it fixed and dumped that sucker. It was crazy rusty underneath.

[@Michael-yi4mc]

I bought a new 1989 LeSabre and kept it ten years with 121 thousand trouble free miles. Only qualm was the alternator that quits every two years due to the alternator placed in the middle of the engine where the heat is. At least it is in an easy place to access to.

[@gregsidel3557]

Very good Eric, very good, I. Thi would have filler tube after you pumped up the system with pressure and then squirted the hell out of it with your squirt bottle. But as long as it's sealed, it's sealed, just saying they are very good. Tell mccord good job thank you eric thank you for the video

[@edwicks66]

Yup , I agree Mr. O ! Im having trouble with 2 Cheeps and 200 s , i friggin hate working on these cars . Emission codes every few months evap . !

[@c.anderson3444]

Reminds me of my old LeSabre. I had to let it go at 300k+ miles because the driver side coil spring wanted to jump into the trunk. It was still running better than day one...those motors were insane. ..except for the faulty plastic OEM intake gasket.

[@randyjones2721]

Right about the 3.8, if you keep them maintained, they seem to last forever. I don't watch often, but it is nice to see an honest mechanic instead of a parts pitcher.

[@tiredagain6722]

Time to go to Wilberts so they can part it out 😮

[@jamescaron6465]

Nice job. You did your due diligence. There is also the possibility of multiple issues. I had the issue where both the gas cap and the purge valve were bad.

[@ronwatson4902]

You're treating the boy right IMO. Good solid father skills.

[@peters9929]

Such an honest guy.

[@douglash3129]

Hi Eric and McCoy, this young man hit the lottery,I hope he is paying attention!( Ahh grass hopper)

[@shawnudy9417]

Nice to see a guy who has a moral 🧭 compass.

[@brianthompson2045]

I have same system on 96 Buick. No access to top of pump. But Did find intermittent problem with regulator. Replaced with a standard and problem solved for now. Thanks SMA!!!

[@sanagavizharan92]

I had one of these cars over the summer with an evap code. I ended up tracking it to the top of the fuel tank I think it was a hose on top that wasn't sealing anymore. There's a spot dead center of the tank you can get a bore scope in that fuel pump access hole and go over to the left some to see it. If I can get a diagram tomorrow I'll update you on exactly which line it is. The only issue would be how rotted that car is because the only way to access it is to drop the tank.

[@markmessner4554]

I watched one of your videos from 6 years ago….boy was that rough!

[@ericcherveny5195]

I love waiting to see what kind of closing line you'll come up with! My comment section wasn't broke so here I am!

[@ronhall9040]

hopefully down the road the customer lets ya know if it's working or not and you update us that all it was was that dayum hose clamp

[@chriscrusader5412]

About time you showed up! Jeeeeeezz.

[@AnthonySmith-hr2kp]

Nice job Mr O. Honest man. Teach him well, hope he learns.

[@davidpotter7484]

That's one of the motors that should never have gone out of production.

[@DanBurgess-hp1mj]

That motor is mated to a weak POS transmission

[@sneaks01]

Welcome to the SMA YT family, McCoy! You’ll learn a ton from the Master!

[@alexandercahoulan6583]

Heck yea Eric!! Good ole South Main Auto video. Life isn’t that bad when we have SMA videos. Believe it or not Eric lol

[@jeffgordon9103]

McCoy- BONES- Damn it Eric I'm a Dr. Not a macanic! 😂

[@Pantherman1979]

Works that way with computers too, sometimes you just don't know and have to let it go till something stops working.

[@plankton199]

Thanks for another great video. Nice to see that you have your own Padawan to train. Just continue to keep him away from the parts cannon of the dark side.

[@thadmachia9873]

Awesome wish everyone was as honest as you!

[@davidlehner6094]

I don’t know if anyone else has commented, but I think McCoy had trouble removing the fuel cap because at the time, you were pulling a vacuum on the system.

[@richardselby2463]

I was a Toyota Technician for 47 years, retired in 2016. I watched you replace a crank pulley the other night and you were very concerned about damaging the radiator by bumping it with a tool or the puller you used. I had a piece of cardboard that I dropped down the engine side of the radiator and held it in place with a couple pieces of Gorilla Tape (Not a Sponsor) at the top, Sure saved me some grief over the years. By the way, you would have made a great Toyota training teacher at the Toyota regional office in Cincinnati .

[@Troy_Built]

I always use cardboard on a radiator also. I've also punched a hole in one before I did.

[@jessieharris1676]

I just had the same repair on a 05 Buick Parkavenue.

[@richarddiaz8248]

Thanks for the lesson

[@poorboyman5565]

You are a good honest man ERIC>

[@kurtwelday8465]

Expert use of the soapy wooter

[@Grandamse1]

Morals. ALWAYS in stock at SMA. 😍

[@stevespra1]

I was thinking that McCoy should have had a hard time taking the gas cap off the first time because the system was in vacuum at the time. It's probably the purge valve.

[@topherd1011]

I noticed when you were fiddling with that cap the neck was realllly loose .. I don’t know if you had removed the old clamp at that point or not but if it was THAT loose it probably could throw a gross leak.. it’s virtually the same as the gas cap coming off IF it was that loose. And McCoy is right… he realllly had to turn it.. you could hear it very loudly in the background…it was so loud it caught my attention for what that’s worth. I bet you it was cross threaded on there and that would maybe throw a gross leak.. I THINK.. we’ll see! 😂

[@lvsqcsl]

I am glad that car didn't fall apart on the lift. You zeroed right in on that as usual, Eric. I hope McCoy really pays close attention. GREAT VIDEO!

[@DanBurgess-hp1mj]

Yeah, he zeroed right in and couldn’t find the problem… maybe he needs another smoke and mirrors machine ?

[@TexasEngineer]

Most likely it was the gas cap or the filler that fixed the problem. The temperature is too cold for the car to rerun the test after clearing the codes. It would be nice to know if it passes inspection without rerunning the purge test.

[@Paul1958R]

Eric, Great video as always - thank you! And I ❤polar bears! Paul (in MA)

[@robertfarrar9411]

Eric, if I had a mentor like you I would have stayed in the trade. I got into a terrible garage that would cut hoses and belts to sell new parts. I left the business and went into factory maintenance and never looked back. Still work on my own junk though.

[@brucet9799]

I just throw a purge valve and a vent valve at it, and put o ring grease where the gas cap meets the filler tube, fill the tank and wait two weeks. Some cars won't run the Evap monitor until all other monitors are fully satisfied. And if the EVAP monitor is OFF, as a full tank comes down to 75%, it will turn ON

[@KEEPTHOSEGEARSMOVING]

I have an 04 lesabre that is my daily driver. I had and the same issue and ended up replacing the Evap solenoid on front of the engine and that evap hose. The Evap hose develops tiny hairline cracks from the engine heat over time.

[@glenharper3136]

Thanks for the Eric and Mcoy.

[@toddcathyfranklin4189]

Good agonist repair hard to find these days great job

[@davidkasperek3907]

I sure don’t miss fixing my vehicles in Western NY winters…

[@chrislemaster2695]

What we do with emissions control crap here in Illinois when it stops working. That is a do nit fix as we do nit have inspections or emission testing

[@jimburgess9205]

Great diagnosis, professor.