P1457 Evap emissions code (Check Engine Light), worried ab..

I have over 220K miles on my 97 Accord.
I am on the road and my check-engine-light lit up.
I took it to Autozone for a read it came up as P1457. Autozone won't
however reset it for me.
I could be that the full-service attendents topped off my tank (you
can't pump your own gas in Oregon). I retirghtened the gas cap. Its
been over 48 hours, 20 or so stops and starts and the light it still
on. My concern is that it won't pass California emissions, which I
need to have done within the next couple of weeks. I would rather
avoid a visit to my mechanic right now (this could be $$). Will an
evap emissions fault prevent my car from passing a smog inspection?
My guess is that they wont even test the car if the CEL is on.
However, I could erase it right before I pull up and it may not
trigger fast enough for the shop to catch it.
Thanks

wrote:
> I have over 220K miles on my 97 Accord.
> I am on the road and my check-engine-light lit up.
> I took it to Autozone for a read it came up as P1457. Autozone won't
> however reset it for me.
> I could be that the full-service attendents topped off my tank (you
> can't pump your own gas in Oregon). I retirghtened the gas cap. Its
> been over 48 hours, 20 or so stops and starts and the light it still
> on. My concern is that it won't pass California emissions, which I
> need to have done within the next couple of weeks. I would rather
> avoid a visit to my mechanic right now (this could be $$). Will an
> evap emissions fault prevent my car from passing a smog inspection?
> My guess is that they wont even test the car if the CEL is on.
> However, I could erase it right before I pull up and it may not
> trigger fast enough for the shop to catch it.
> Thanks
>

It could be as simple as the cap not being on correctly. OR it could be
something else like a purge solenoid or valve failing.
Your idea of erasing the code and then running it in for testing won't
work. The system runs a bunch of tests that have to be completed before
they will even test it. They can take a drive cycle or two before they
set as complete.
Run it a bit and see if the light shuts off.

--
Steve W.
Near Cooperstown, New York