A leak detection method for an on-board evaporative emission leak detection system that detects leakage from an evaporative emission space of a fuel system of an automotive vehicle. During a leak detection test, a vent valve closes, and a purge valve, that selectively communicates the evaporative emission space with the engine intake manifold, opens to cause vacuum to be drawn in the evaporative emission space. A vacuum regulator valve regulates evaporative emission space vacuum to a defined vacuum. Subsequently, the purge valve closes. Loss of vacuum, indicative of leakage, is signaled by a pressure sensor. An algorithm detects a substantially constant rate of vacuum loss and then measures the amount of loss over a defined time interval. That measurement is then compensated for volume of the evaporative emission space and rate of fuel volatilization to arrive at a value forming a basis for making a leakage determination.