Camry 97XLE charcoal canister, gas smell

[vikacon]

I had a gas smell in the car for about a year every other month or so. It has been finally detected that it's the valve that openes up to the engine mulfunctions and has to be replaced.
Does the charcoal canister have to be replaced as well?
Will it function properly after being like that for a year?

Thanks
Victoria

[Nico]

Do you know the name of this valve ? Is it the T V V ? I wouldn't change the charcoal canister immediately or at least not buy a new one. You could then buy one from a junkyard for a few dollars. I don't think these are often faulty.

[Rapeacivic]

That's funny cause I'm getting a gas smell too. Every time I open up my hood after I've been driving my car there's a gas smell. I think it might be coming from the Fuel Filter or in that area.

[burchard]

If it is the TVV valve, it connects the canister with the P (purge) port throttle in your throttle. When the car is cold and the coolant tem is less than 39 C then that valve should be closed. This is very easy to check, just disconnect the hose of th P port and create a bit of vacuum. If air is passing when the car is cold the the valve is not working. On the other hand if you warm up the car and you create vacuum is normal to be able to get air flow, because the valve opens at approx 55 C. But, you should no be able to push any air into the cannister. I would carefully check the cannister.
Check this site http://www.autoshop101.com/ look for the emisiion control article.