The Evap is for the gas tank fumes to be trapped inside the gas tank and be absorbed by the charcoal canister. What is supposed to happen is your filler neck where the gas cap is supposed to be sealed. A bad gas cap will pop up a leak code. Try replacing the gas cap first if the gas cap seal is stiff it should be pliable or sorta soft. If you had a smoke machine you can go right to the intake part of the engine where the purge solenoid is to put smoke into the evap lines to check for leaks. Sometimes a bad rubber hose that is dry rotted will allow a leak to happen anywhere on the system. I seen the evap and vent solenoids go out or barely work. Or a bad tank pressure sensor is not reading. The purge and vent solenoids will be near the charcoal canister and one up by the engine on the intake to purge the fumes.
What is the code your getting when the check engine light comes on?