many drivability issues - Any ideas?

[TheEdgeofSanity]

well, looking to sell my car this summer and in preparation for the sale, I am trying to get the most money out of it by fixing some issues it has. The SES light has been on for about 2 years with a P0440 code for a leaking evap system. So far, I have had it in the shop 5 times for this same code and they are shaking their heads at what could be wrong at this point because it keeps coming back! So far, we started with a new gas cap followed by a new EGR valve (i think?), followed by a smoke test that revealed 1 small leak in a vacuum line, followed by another smoke test that showed nothing and replacement of the evap canister thinking it must be completely bad. It just came on again and I am getting annoyed. the good thing, the shop is not charging me for every time i take it in because it was guaranteed fixed the 2nd time I took it in, but its getting annoying finding people to follow me to the shop which is 10 miles from my house. where do I go from here? is there anything alero-specific to this code that the mechanic may not know?

also, I am having some drivability issues. Lately, my car idles like crap (engine revs up, then bogs down, then feels like its missing). I changed the plugs and wires less than 30K ago and I ran injector cleaner through the gas but it still runs like shit. (no SES codes other than the P0440 mentioned above) When under a load on the road (with over 3 people and the cruise set at 60) the car will shutter periodically. Also, after driving on the highway or in lots of traffic, my car seems to lose power when I need to accelerate quickly and the rpms increase irratically even when the accelerator is held still. I'm at my wits end with this car because none of the issues it has are ever simple (or inexpensive) fixes!

thanks guys because I need to sell this car and nobody will buy it with the way it currently is!

[TheEdgeofSanity]

bump because I really need help here!

[Nate's Alero]

well, about the trans issue you were having before, TCCS, drive-ability issues? try replacing that bad thermostat, what plugs didja use? and try the canister purge solenoid for sticking

[TheEdgeofSanity]

thanks nate, now if it was a bad TCCS wouldn't I have a code since its electrical-related? and I did have the thermostat replaced but that really did nothing. I am almost sure the canister purge solenoid was replaced as well when the evap canister was replaced. i'm so lost here at what to do. oh, and the plugs are auto-lites platinum (whichever one was the equivilant to the OEM plugs).

[Nate's Alero]

thanks nate, now if it was a bad TCCS wouldn't I have a code since its electrical-related? and I did have the thermostat replaced but that really did nothing. I am almost sure the canister purge solenoid was replaced as well when the evap canister was replaced. i'm so lost here at what to do. oh, and the plugs are auto-lites platinum (whichever one was the equivilant to the OEM plugs).

well, Autolite plugs are going to go out in about 30K, so new plugs, do another thermostat yourself, 195*F, the TCCS will NOT throw a code... but if you are having that 1 - 2 slip issue, as well as the *drag* when you slam the throttle, that mayhaps also not be helping.. check front pump pressures, as well as trans fluid condition.

also,
* Remove and reinstall the gas cap, clear the code, and drive for a day and see if the codes come back.
* Inspect the EVAP system for cuts/holes in tubes/hoses
* Inspect for damaged or disconnected hoses around the Evap purge solenoid
* Check and/or replace the sensor
* Check and/or replace the purge valve
* Have a professional use a smoke machine to detect leaks

[TheEdgeofSanity]

ok, well when i am home and around tools, i will pull the front three plugs and check them out. i was under the impression that platinums are supposed to last 100K so i didn't even consider the plugs being bad. I also sometimes wonder how the tranny fluid level is in my car because I do have a slow slow leak of one of my tranny lines (so slow that it never drips on anything) but I don't know how to check the level let alone add more because the filler cap is nearly impossible to get to without dismantling everything above it. Is there any way to test a TCCS without taking it completely out?

and everything you mentioned for that code I am getting has already been done. thats why I am scratching my head!

[Nate's Alero]

hop on aim express, we can discuss further