If your vehicle displays any of the following symptoms, there’s a good chance your charcoal canister needs replacement:
- Poor engine performance
- Difficulty refueling and a hissing noise from the fuel tank
- Fuel smell in the vehicle’s interior
- Increased emissions
- Illuminated check engine light
What Does A Charcoal Canister Do?
The charcoal canister helps minimize the toxic emissions after burning fuel. It accomplishes this by absorbing the toxic vapors that accumulate in the gas tank.
Whenever you refuel your vehicle, the fuel tank is vented to the charcoal canister. The canister then captures any gas fumes to prevent toxic vapors from escaping into the atmosphere.
The charcoal canister sends the vapors it captures to the engine via the purge valve. From this valve, the toxic fumes are burned to power the engine further.
Where Can The Charcoal Canister Be Found?
The charcoal canister in a car is underneath the hood or the vehicle. It can usually be found fitted between the fuel tank, the intake manifold, and the carburetor.
The canister is distinct due to its black color and large volume. It’s connected to the fuel tank along with other hoses and valves. Together, these parts make up the evaporative control system, also known as the EVAP system.
Signs You Need to Get Your Charcoal Canister Replaced
A damaged charcoal canister is something drivers need to take seriously. Not only would you be exposed to nauseous, toxic fumes, but you’d also be exposing pedestrians and passersby to the harmful gasses.
Here are some telltale signs to help you discern whether it’s time to replace your charcoal canister.
Difficulty Filling Fuel Tank
If you struggle with refueling your car because the hose nozzle shuts off randomly, you could chalk it up to faulty fuel canisters or a failing purge valve.
This incident occurs when the charcoal canister gets clogged. Because the fumes can’t escape, pressure builds up in the fuel tank. A loud hissing noise indicates the pressure, which triggers when you open the cap to the fuel tank.
This buildup prevents you from refueling your vehicle because the gas in the tank needs to escape before any fuel comes in. Because the gas in the tank can’t escape through a clogged canister, fuel can’t enter the tank.
Vehicle Reeks of Fuel
Your car cabin could smell of fuel when toxic fumes from burnt fuel leak from broken canisters. The fumes escape into the atmosphere.
A strong fuel smell is one of the more dangerous symptoms of a broken fuel canister, as it can make people sick if left unresolved. Despite this, a strong fuel smell is also a symptom of a fuel leak, a fuel pump leak, or a leak in your vehicle’s evaporative emission control system. Keep this in mind when inspecting your vehicle for signs you need to get your charcoal canister replaced.
Increased Emissions
The charcoal canister is responsible for eliminating toxic carbon compounds and preventing them from entering the atmosphere. If it fails, the vehicle’s emissions increase. It’s why something might be wrong with your charcoal canister if your vehicle starts failing emissions tests.
Lit Check Engine Light
The easiest way to tell if something is wrong with your charcoal canister is to see if the check engine light is on. However, remember that a lit check engine light doesn’t necessarily mean there’s something wrong with the charcoal canister, so you’ll have to confirm the issue.
How Long Does A Charcoal Canister Last?
Charcoal canisters can last as long as your vehicle with proper maintenance. Of course, it can fail ahead of time due to various reasons. For a more exact figure, a charcoal canister could last up to seven years before needing replacement.
A great way to improve your charcoal canister’s longevity is to have it cleaned at least once every 15,000 miles. Bear in mind that not all canisters can be cleaned. In this case, your best bet would be to replace them entirely.
Bear in mind that not all canisters can be cleaned. In this case, your best bet would be to replace them entirely.
–Anthony Harlin, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
How Long Does It Take to Replace a Charcoal Canister?
On average, a skilled mechanic should be able to repair or replace a vehicle’s charcoal canister in about an hour. It could take longer, depending on the vehicle’s size and complexity.
Where to Get a New Charcoal Canister That Fits Your Vehicle
If you think about it, there’s really no good reason why you shouldn’t replace a bad charcoal canister. Ignoring it might save you a few bucks now, but it’s hardly worth risking your health when toxic fumes end up filling your cabin from a bad canister. Instead, save yourself the trouble by ordering a new charcoal canister from CarParts.com today.
CarParts.com offers a wide selection of high-quality vapor canisters that are sourced from only the most trusted manufacturers in the industry. You can also browse through them easily using our vehicle selector and search filters. If you’re in a rush, you’ll be pleased to know we also guarantee fast shipping. Order by 12 p.m. ET, and you can expect your new canister to arrive in as fast as two business days.
Don’t wait until your vapor canister breaks before replacing it. Check out our catalog of charcoal canisters at CarParts.com today.
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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
