Replacing VSV to the Vapor Pressure Sensor on the Charcoal Canister - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

haux · 10-27-2009, 10:09 PM

I know there's already a DIY on this. I took some pictures today anyway.

First I raised the driver's side rear corner of the car.

I also removed the rear driver's side mudflap (three screws), which made it easier to slide under the car.

I located the VSV and anything that had to be disconnected from it as part of the removal.

The screw attaches the VSV to a bracket connected to the Charcoal Canister, and the screw head is tilted toward the spare tire well, making it rather difficult to remove.

The connector removed easily. The two hoses take a little bit of work to get off. The screw is nothing more than a Phillips head. It's rusty condition makes it very easy to ruin if you force it. I imagine the safest way to remove it is by taking down the entire Charcoal Canister, at which point the access greatly improves. At that point you could also drill the screw out.

Rather than giving up, I managed to get the two hoses and connector onto the new VSV without removing the old one. The two hoses are not particularly long so this too takes a little bit of work.

I will try removing the canister altogether in the near future.

EDIT: It may also be possible to replace the two hoses with slightly longer ones, making the new VSV easier to attach with the old one still in place.

Oldcar95 · 10-28-2009, 09:21 AM

Haux, thanks for the write up and pictures. I have to change my VSV on my 2000 Camry. Did you tie down the VSV? One person said they were able to use a small needle nose vice grip to remove the screw. I have been soaking the screw with PB Blaster the last two days. I am going to remove the screw with vice grips. There is not too much room up there. By the way what did you pay for the VSV and is it a Toyota part?

haux · 10-28-2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldcar95

Haux, thanks for the write up and pictures. I have to change my VSV on my 2000 Camry. Did you tie down the VSV? One person said they were able to use a small needle nose vice grip to remove the screw. I have been soaking the screw with PB Blaster the last two days. I am going to remove the screw with vice grips. There is not too much room up there. By the way what did you pay for the VSV and is it a Toyota part?

I did use a zip tie after the picture was already taken. But the connector and hoses hold the VSV in there so well that I don't think it's really necessary. Especially since this is temporary.

I tried pliers and vice grips and neither of them could grip the screw worth a squat. I didn't have any PB Blaster on-hand, but I think I will buy some today and give it a whirl.

haux · 10-29-2009, 12:17 AM

UPDATE: Success!

I gave the VSV replacement another shot today. This time armed with PB Blaster and some assistance.

Started as usual:

I got some help from my dad. He sprayed some PB Blaster on the screw. Went at it for about 45 minutes with no success. Apparently he then tried a different technique. Rather than trying to turn the screw, he held it still with pliers and turned the VSV itself. It worked, and he was able to get the thing off.

Then I realized I didn't have a new screw for it. Fortunately we were able to find one that fit - stainless steel furniture screw that was too long, but we snipped off a bit and filed the end down. Found a locking washer to match.

Job done... and didn't have to remove the Charcoal Canister. Which is only held on by one big bolt... but there would have been a mess of a hoses to deal with.

Hope this helps someone!

Old VSV:

Mike Gerber · 10-29-2009, 08:28 AM

"Apparently he then tried a different technique. Rather than trying to turn the screw, he held it still with pliers and turned the VSV itself."

Great idea! But please tell me you guys weren't working under the car with just the scissors jack underneath it. TN needs all the members it has. Get some jack stands for your next job. Be safe.

Mike

csaxon · 10-29-2009, 10:31 AM

Looks like a jack stand.

What about wheel chocks?

BlueFusion6851 · 10-29-2009, 10:54 AM

Nice. Was this for an EVAP code fix?

Mike Gerber · 10-29-2009, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csaxon

Looks like a jack stand.

What about wheel chocks?

Thanks. I stand corrected haux. I missed that in the earlier photos.

Mike

Oldcar95 · 10-29-2009, 08:12 PM

Here is how I removed my VSV today:
I removed the electrical connector and the two hoses. I put tape over the end of the hose to keep out any dirt. Move them out of the way.
I moved the VSV up and down until the mounting bracket broke. Leaving the remaing bracket scewed to the charcoal canister. I couldn't turn the screw with a needle nose vice grips, so I used a hack saw blade on a short handle. I made a series of cuts in the bracket by the screw and cut off small pieces of the bracket. I removed each small piece with a screw driver. I countinued to saw until the screw broke free from the remaining VSV bracket. The bracket should fall apart now. You must be careful when sawing as not to cut the charcoal canister.
The new VSV was installed with a M4 stainless steel screw. Reconnect the two hoses and the electrical connector.

haux · 10-30-2009, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csaxon

Looks like a jack stand.

What about wheel chocks?

I had some wooden ones down for the front tires!

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueFusion6851

Nice. Was this for an EVAP code fix?

Yes, it's supposed to fix a P0446. Only problem is that it has taken up to a month+ for that code to reappear for *me*. So I still don't know if it fixed anything. I guess as long as it never comes back up it's all good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJJJJJ

The trick for those tiny VSV screws is dabbing ATF (the best) or PB on them with a q-tip, syringe, or paintbrush. About 3-4 dabs and use a stubby screwdriver (press down hard) - and they come right off. Use permatex antiseize on them and you'll never have a problem again.

We both did that! The problem is that the screw is old, slightly rusty, and after the first couple good tries at getting it to turn, the screw was pretty much ruined.

haux · 10-30-2009, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldcar95

Here is how I removed my VSV today:
I removed the electrical connector and the two hoses. I put tape over the end of the hose to keep out any dirt. Move them out of the way.
I moved the VSV up and down until the mounting bracket broke. Leaving the remaing bracket scewed to the charcoal canister. I couldn't turn the screw with a needle nose vice grips, so I used a hack saw blade on a short handle. I made a series of cuts in the bracket by the screw and cut off small pieces of the bracket. I removed each small piece with a screw driver. I countinued to saw until the screw broke free from the remaining VSV bracket. The bracket should fall apart now. You must be careful when sawing as not to cut the charcoal canister.
The new VSV was installed with a M4 stainless steel screw. Reconnect the two hoses and the electrical connector.

So what you mean is you basically sawed the bracket that's part of the VSV, right? Not the bracket attached to the canister...

That's a good idea. Sorta brute force, but whatever works without damaging something that will be difficult to replace. =D

Oldcar95 · 10-30-2009, 07:22 PM

Yes, I just sawed the VSV bracket that was still attached to the canister. I made a few passes with the hack saw then checked to see how far I cut in to the bracket. I made sure the canister wasn't cut into. So far no return of the CEL code P0446. I also had a P0401 at the same time. I just replaced the EGR vacuum modulator at the same time I replaced this VSV.

yvm_22 · 05-03-2011, 01:35 AM

Does the Camry 2000 4 cylinder has more than 1 vsv or there are 2 that are the same but used in different location of the car??

Can anyone , please help me, and tell me which is the part number for that specific part (Vapor Pressure Sensor VSV). I really need to be sure when I call Toyota dealer so they don't sell me a wrong one.

I know this is an old posting but now is when I found this really helpful website.

Yuko · 05-03-2011, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yvm_22

Does the Camry 2000 4 cylinder has more than 1 vsv or there are 2 that are the same but used in different location of the car??

Can anyone , please help me, and tell me which is the part number for that specific part (Vapor Pressure Sensor VSV). I really need to be sure when I call Toyota dealer so they don't sell me a wrong one.

I know this is an old posting but now is when I found this really helpful website.

I believe there are 3 VSVs. Two are for the EVAP system. One is by the charcoal canister and the other on the air filter box. The third VSV is for the EGR and it’s behind the engine block under the intake manifold.

I'm not sure another the part number because I replaced them all with ones from the junk yard. Fixed code P0401 and P0446.

yvm_22 · 05-03-2011, 10:26 AM

Thank you, thank you, thank you very very very very muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucccccchhhhhh!!! That's the info that I was looking for and that's exactly the codes I need to get rid off (P0446, P0440, P0441).

One more question. What about code P0420. I already replace the two O2 sensor with brand new Denso sensor but it is stil showing up.

Any suggestions?