shakesucc

Does a charcoal cannister affect performance, can I get an aftermarket one. My check engine light came on and Auto Zone plugged their computer into my car. They said my charcoal cannister is plugged. Any thoughts???

ginsu2k

This sounds a bit retarded. There's no check engine light Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for the Charcoal Canister because it doesn't have any sensors in it. Your ECU wouldn't know if it was there, or completely gone.

Take everything the AutoZone guys say with a huge grain a salt. They are not mechanics, they are not technicians, they are sales people. They don't undergo any model specific training so, in general, they don't know ****.

Most likely cause of the CEL is a bad oxygen sensor. These go out in about 50,000 miles, no exceptions. Otherwise, take it to the dealer.

mingchi69

i dont have that canister in my car.. and plugged the vacuum line to it from my tb.. and have never had a check engine light because of it .

JimBlake

What year? OBD-2 does have codes for the EVAP systems...

maxxdout

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mingchi69 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i dont have that canister in my car.. and plugged the vacuum line to it from my tb.. and have never had a check engine light because of it . </TD></TR></TABLE>

ok here is one of the more smart ideas i have heard in a while. the carcoal canister holds un burnt HC's, or hydro carbons. HC's are more commonly known as gas vapors. These gas vapors are from your tank. These vapors come from the liquid gasoline sloshing around and can subsequently be burned in the engine as fuel and INCREASE your milage. ONce the carcoal canister is filled the EVAP, or evaprative emissions, purge solonoid opens releasing the vapors into the manifold to be burnt.

Or, in your case, decrease the milage, and best part, have raw un burnt gas vapors under your hood. Consider re conecting the carcoal canister.

Volcom

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by maxxdout &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

ok here is one of the more smart ideas i have heard in a while. the carcoal canister holds un burnt HC's, or hydro carbons. HC's are more commonly known as gas vapors. These gas vapors are from your tank. These vapors come from the liquid gasoline sloshing around and can subsequently be burned in the engine as fuel and INCREASE your milage. ONce the carcoal canister is filled the EVAP, or evaprative emissions, purge solonoid opens releasing the vapors into the manifold to be burnt.

Or, in your case, decrease the milage, and best part, have raw un burnt gas vapors under your hood. Consider re conecting the carcoal canister. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I've got a huge hole burned in the top of mine do to me spilling battery acid and baking soda/water on it after cleaning my battery posts. So basically mine doesn't work worth a crap. I am still gettting 30 mpg on it and even as high as 34-35 on the highways. I don't think the amount of vapors in the canister will give you back mileage that will even matter.

maxxdout

thats fine, your call. Still consider the safty consern of possible gas vapors under the hood

ltho1998

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by shakesucc &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Does a charcoal cannister affect performance, can I get an aftermarket one. My check engine light came on and Auto Zone plugged their computer into my car. They said my charcoal cannister is plugged. Any thoughts???</TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL I hate to poke fun at the mechanically challenged but an aftermarket charcoal canister just sounds like a funny idea.

In response to your question: No, a charcoal canister does not affect performance. There's a charcoal canister purge solenoid that might be disconnected but other than that, that is the only thing that the ECU deals with a charcoal canister.

maxxdout

finally, someone understands

RayB

I checked on an aftermarket charcoal cannister for my DA once and it was a little more expensive than one from the dealer. Try finding one in a junkyard.

shakesucc

96 LS

shakesucc

I've had an oxygen sensor go on a different car. I remember how crappy my car ran. This problem seems to have no effect.

The autozone guy plugged my car into his computer and just read the code.

I bought a new Cannister. I think I will try it.

ginsu2k

Yeah, sorry, but this just don't sound right. I don't have the OBD2 codes so I can't comment on OBD2 cars, but I don't see how charcoal canisters wear out and I don't see how the ECU can detect this unless there is a sensor in it.

shakesucc

bong and a blintz

ginsu2k

is dat yor fazzha? hehehe

JimBlake

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ginsu2k &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yeah, sorry, but this just don't sound right. I don't have the OBD2 codes so I can't comment on OBD2 cars, but I don't see how charcoal canisters wear out and I don't see how the ECU can detect this unless there is a sensor in it. </TD></TR></TABLE>I don't have an OBD2 Integra, but my Accord is OBD2. There's a pressure sensor on the gas tank, and besides the code for the sensor itself, there's 3 different codes with the EVAP system. One for tank pressure, one for canister system, & one for purge flow. Along with the charcoal canister, there's a filter, a half-dozen solenoid valves, & a mile of vacuum tubing. That's a little different than the OBD1 cars with one valve, one canister, & a single run of tubing.

If you get the code about the canister system being plugged, it might not be the canister itself. Could be a plugged filter, or a stuck valve. Or a pinched vacuum hose. That's why you need the code number & the Helm book for your car. The guy at AutoZone isn't gonna know all those details. When I had a stuck valve he said it was because I didn't tighten my gas cap...

neo1z

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ginsu2k &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">This sounds a bit retarded. There's no check engine light Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for the Charcoal Canister because it doesn't have any sensors in it. Your ECU wouldn't know if it was there, or completely gone.

Take everything the AutoZone guys say with a huge grain a salt. They are not mechanics, they are not technicians, they are sales people. They don't undergo any model specific training so, in general, they don't know ****.

Most likely cause of the CEL is a bad oxygen sensor. These go out in about 50,000 miles, no exceptions. Otherwise, take it to the dealer. </TD></TR></TABLE>


Actually, my car ran a code (67) because my charcoal canister wires were shredded.

So - I must say - Yes, you can run a code b/c of your charcoal canister.

shakesucc

I guess I'll go to the Acura dealer so they can plug it in (1 hour drive). They said that if I try the part, since it get's gas in it, then I can't return it. $ 150.00 for the stupid part. I've fixed my own cars for 20yrs, It figures that the first problem with this car is something that I never heard of B4.

JimBlake

Get your hands on a Helm repair manual for your car. Then go to AutoZoned again to get the actual code #. Not just the guy's description of what's wrong.

The Helm book will have a very detailed procedure for checking that system. You'll probably need a DMM, some jumper wires, & a MityVac. When my '98 Accord threw code P1457 there was a 4-page procedure to check each component & wiring. You'll do things like ground certain terminals at the ECU & check if some vacuum hose holds vacuum or whatever. In my case it was a $36 valve, but sometimes it's a broken wire or a leaky vacuum hose.

Diagnose! Don't just replace the canister...

ps... I just looked at your first post again. There is no code for a 'plugged' canister. That's why you need the AutoZoned guy to tell you the number.

shakesucc

he actually said that the solenoid valve was probably stuck, and to hit the cannister with something to knock it loose. That didn't work. I'll look at the hoses more closely. The book isn't available on HELM's website for a few weeks. do any stores sell them?

JimBlake

I've seen them at libraries, sometimes... Start a new thread, something like 'Who's got a Helm for...' Maybe someone here has one & is willing to scan a few pages. But you need the code # so they can get the right section. I don't believe my '98 Accord book would be useful to you.

My valve was just stuck. Rapping on it didn't do any good. So that doesn't absolutely prove anything. You have to know whether the valve is supposed to close or open with power, that's what you need the book for.

Without the book, you can check the electrical connection for every valve in the system. Honda's normal way of doing things, is they always have +12v whenever the ignition is turned on. When the ECU wants to operate a valve it closes the ground side of the circuit. So with a voltmeter you should always see +12v on one side of the plug. If not then you can start chasing busted wires...

Go ahead & look for vacuum hoses that are plugged, disconnected, torn, etc... I think it's kinda unusual for the canister to actually become plugged.

ginsu2k

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by neo1z &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


Actually, my car ran a code (67) because my charcoal canister wires were shredded.

So - I must say - Yes, you can run a code b/c of your charcoal canister.</TD></TR></TABLE>


Yup, I was a bit ignorant on this one. I'm running OBD1 and forgot about the intense emissions gear the OBD2 cars have. My bad.