Bad Charcoal Canister Symptoms, Repair and Replacement Cost

One solution that car makers invented for the said issue is the so-called charcoal canister. It is something that exists in your car’s emission system. Its main job is to absorb the fuel’s vapor before the emission system releases the harmful carbon emissions to the environment.

To simply put, after your car’s engine produces toxic carbon emissions, that charcoal canister should prevent these compounds and send them back to your gasoline tank. That’s how the charcoal canister helps in protecting and preserving the environment.

Today, I’ll talk about the bad charcoal canister symptoms and how to deal with them.

What Does a Charcoal Canister Do?

The charcoal canister does a very important job in every car. Its main job is to collect the carbon emissions produced by your car’s engine and prevent them from spreading to the air. Also known as the vapor canister, the charcoal canister is a part of your car’s evaporation control system.

The fuel turns into vapor once it evaporates. The charcoal canister will store the produced vapor, turning it into a blend of air and fuel. In the long run, the engine will use it. However, the charcoal canister can also become problematic as it can build too many particulates that can lead to serious issues involving the valves and solenoids.

Related: Bad Purge Valve Symptoms

Excessive particulates can also cause a charcoal canister to crack. For me, it is a big thing to worry about, although it is not for some. I consider it as a problem that should be repaired immediately because it can still cause vapors from the gasoline. It can even lead to gas leaks.

Common Signs of a Bad Charcoal Canister

A cracked or dirty charcoal canister can lead to serious problems that can harm your car a lot. Let me help you solve the issue by explaining to you first the signs and symptoms to watch out for:

1. The Smell of the Fuel has Changed

Since the fumes can easily leak due to a damaged charcoal canister, it is not surprising to notice a strong, foul-smelling odor when you stand at the back of your car or when you open the cabin. The fumes must be eliminated right away as they can be detrimental to your health as well.

2. Your Car Suffers from Increased Emissions

A damaged charcoal canister is obviously not efficient at doing its job. The longer you do something to address the issue, the more carbon emissions the faulty charcoal canister will produce. The issue is hard to detect unless you take your vehicle to an emission testing center. Different states require car owners to take the emission test yearly or every 2 years. Whatever the case is, a malfunctioned charcoal canister is the possible culprit in case your car did not pass the said test.

3. Your Engine Is No Longer Working the Way It Used to

One of the major symptoms to check in your car if you suspect a faulty charcoal canister has something to do the way your car works. Pay attention to how the engine works. When the carbon emissions do not all return to the ignition chamber and affect the air and fuel mixture, the engine of your car will fail to produce enough power that keeps your car  accelerate. Try to step on your gas pedal to increase your car’s speed. If you feel your car is still not accelerating as faster as it should, it could mean your charcoal canister needs help.

4. You Can Hear Some Beeping Sounds

If the charcoal canister is already struggling to collect carbon emissions, it can harm the fuel and air mixture ignition inside the chamber. That’s why you can now hear beeping sounds from your car engine. Other scenarios can also cause the same issue, but if you notice two or more other symptoms that I mentioned above, aside from this, then I assure you that your charcoal canister is in trouble.

5. Your Car Tells You to “Check Engine Light”

Let me tell you this. Check engine light has been one of the common issues of many car problems. It can literally indicate your car is having one or more problems at the moment. However, if this symptom comes along with the beeping sounds or any other bad charcoal canister symptoms mentioned above, no doubt your charcoal canister is the root cause.

Note: when the system that enables the recycling of fumes to be faulty, even when the charcoal filter is in trouble, it will still affect the car’s fuel economy. Hence, in that case, I still consider the charcoal canister is not okay and needs repair or even replacement.

The Cost of Replacing Charcoal Canister

I’m not sure about the charcoal canister replacement cost but expect that it will be somewhere between $200 and $600. The cost varies a lot as depending on the car model. The more premium your car is, the more likely you will end up spending more on the bad charcoal canister replacement.

For the labor cost, it can be between $20 to $200. A big portion of your expenses falls for the parts that can be as much as $500. Don’t forget the fees and taxes as they may vary based on the tax system imposed by the local government.

When to Consider Replacing Your Charcoal Canister?

A faulty charcoal canister can cause more expensive problems and repairs if you don’t seek professional help right away. I encourage you to consult an auto mechanic in your area as soon as you notice two or more signs of a damaged charcoal canister in your car.

Conclusion

Getting your charcoal canister broken can be terrifying considering the possible complications it can cause. The key is to seek help from a professional and aim to get the problem solved as soon as possible. Early detection and fix will save you money in the long run.