All About Charcoal Canisters

Vehicle-emissions-control technology evolved and developed in stages over the years, and one of the earliest innovations was the charcoal canister.

A metal tailpipe on the back of a car.

Source | Kenji Thuloweit

In the '70s, engineers realized that along with tailpipe emissions, fuel vapors are another major source of hydrocarbon emissions, which react with sunlight to form ozone. The evaporative emissions system was designed as one way to deal with harmful emissions. The system includes some hoses, valves, and the charcoal canister. The charcoal canister is filled with activated carbon, a substance that's also used for groundwater remediation, chemical-spill cleanup, and other industrial applications. Activated carbon has been processed so that it has an enhanced surface area of micropores that can absorb gases and toxins.

The charcoal canister, mounted in the engine compartment, has a supply line from the fuel system and fuel tank and an output line that goes back into the engine again. The charcoal soaks up the hydrocarbons in the vapors like a sponge, and the engine-control computer periodically purges the canister of fumes and sends the vapors back into the engine again to be burned (on older vehicles, the purge valve is activated by engine vacuum). When this purge valve opens, the canister also takes in fresh air and hydrocarbon emissions are reduced, replaced by carbon dioxide and water vapor in the exhaust.

Signs of a Failed Charcoal Canister

  • A malfunctioning charcoal canister purge valve might cause a rough idle and poor fuel economy, and will certainly cause your vehicle to fail an emissions inspection (if tested in your city). Stuck open, the purge valve would introduce too much fresh air into the engine and alter the fuel/air ratio, causing a rough idle and difficulty starting. Stuck closed, the purge valve would cause a rich-running condition, along with the difficulty in starting and a rough idle. Remember, this purge valve is actuated by a solenoid, which is the part that actually fails.
  • You know how gas pumps now have a placard saying "Do not top off your gas tank?" That's because practice of topping off the tank actually damages your car's EVAP system by saturating the charcoal canister with fumes. A saturated canister can't absorb any more vapor and can't purge properly. As a result, you may have an illuminated "check engine" lamp and might notice problems refueling, with the pump shutting off before the tank is completely full. Fuel odor might be a problem as well.
  • A failed charcoal canister may register a few EVAP-related trouble codes. Here are some common codes that may indicate the charcoal canister needs to be replaced.
A chart explaining charcoal canister diagnostic trouble codes.

Charcoal canisters can vary in price from around $100 to $500 or more, depending on make and model. The good news is that they're usually fairly accessible under the hood or beneath the vehicle, near the gas tank, should they fail and need to be replaced. However, the EVAP system can be a tricky problem to troubleshoot and remedy. Each vehicle has its own system, so always check your repair manual and follow the procedure outlined there. After installation, the system will do self-diagnostics, but if the new canister's purge valve isn't working properly, that could point to a vacuum leak or other problem in the evaporative emissions system.

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Last updated February 3, 2021

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