Code P0446 SOB - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

ghost111 · 11-22-2009, 05:54 AM

1999 Camry LE V6
Pulled up code P0446, 2 weeks ago. Changed the gas cap, changed out some old vac hoses under the hood, removed the VSV at the canister, cleaned it and checked it with elec power it worked and clicked etc, same with the VSV under the hood. The code went away by itself and now it's back. I've read the search results on this forum for this elusive code and I'm running out of solutions. Any suggestions at this point ...................Please.

hill8570 · 11-22-2009, 12:21 PM

For what it's worth, FSM at www.camrystuff.com , Generation 4, Diagnostics, starting at page 319 has the troubleshooting flow for P0446. Looks like there's a couple of voltage checks and pressure sensor checks you could do that you have mentioned.

***JohnGD*** · 11-22-2009, 01:17 PM

That generation has a defective canister that can disintegrate on the inside. So as long as you're not getting the P0440 and P0441 at the same time, it may be a simple leak without the need to replace the carbon canister ($$$) and all hoses after cleaning up the system of carbon dust.

The proper way is to pressurize the EVAP system with nitrogen (no compressed air with fuel) while sealing off the canister air vent hose. I'm sure dealer can do this. Probably just let them do it on the safe side.

Or you can go through and check for leaks at various joints etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghost111

1999 Camry LE V6
Pulled up code P0446, 2 weeks ago. Changed the gas cap, changed out some old vac hoses under the hood, removed the VSV at the canister, cleaned it and checked it with elec power it worked and clicked etc, same with the VSV under the hood. The code went away by itself and now it's back. I've read the search results on this forum for this elusive code and I'm running out of solutions. Any suggestions at this point ...................Please.

ghost111 · 11-22-2009, 06:41 PM

Thank you, guys. Will check these leads. This code is the worst for being very vague.

ghost111 · 11-23-2009, 12:16 PM

I am starting think that this problem is bad charcoal canister. Can someone point to a good place to purchase one ..............on line. I don't want to pay dealer prices. Also does this unit come as an assembly with the sensors attached?
Thank you

1996camry · 11-23-2009, 01:50 PM

you can get from junkyard to save $$..

ghost111 · 11-23-2009, 02:14 PM

Junkyard is a tempting idea. Anyone here ever get the canister from a junk yard?

haux · 11-24-2009, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghost111

Junkyard is a tempting idea. Anyone here ever get the canister from a junk yard?

I'd say a junkyard canister wouldn't be so bad if the vehicle has low miles. I'm picking up a canister tomorrow from a Camry that had 56,000 miles. Mine has 336,000. So, in my case, it couldn't hurt, I would think. Finding one with low mileage may be hard these days though, not to mention finding one that hasn't been picked clean.

JohnGD just mentioned that P0440 and P0441 accompanied by the P0446 may be a sign of a bad canister? I have never heard that before. All I did was replace the VSV at the canister. I was going to save this junkyard canister for next year. But since I got all three codes, I'm thinking maybe I should replace it now.

ghost111 · 11-24-2009, 04:56 AM

Thanks, that is the perplexing part of this search because I am only getting the P0446 code.

ajkalian · 11-25-2009, 09:55 PM

I had the same problem with my 2000 Camry LE, 6cyl, 1MZ-FE engine. I kept getting P0440, P0441, P0446 and I tried the gas cap replacement, checked the hoses and nothing worked. I about fell off the floor when the dealer told me it would be $350.00 for the canister, *and* another $350.00 for the VSV valves. They are little bitty switches that look like they should cost $1.25 but the dealer bends you over for those two.

I took a look at the rats nest of tubes and hoses and said no way I was gonna be able to trouble shoot this and no way was I gonna pay $700.00 for parts, another $300 in labor, thank you very much.

I found a complete canister out of a Camry just like mine at a local junk yard, but it was a Japanese VIN number. I took a chance for $70.00. It worked no problems, and I passed smog here in the Peoples Republic of California so replacing the canister is the way to go if you can find one at a junk yard. Seems it's not too important that you get an exact match either. But an exact match would be the safer way to go, for sure.

One word of caution. It's not too hard to get out, but getting it back in is a royal PITA. It took me way too long to snake a socket to get that forward bolt in place. You might have more luck, but it was a hassle for me. But now it's done and it seems to work fine. Been over a year and no codes.

One thing I noticed is that the replacement one ticks a lot. My broken one was a lot quieter.

Good Luck

ghost111 · 11-30-2009, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haux

I'd say a junkyard canister wouldn't be so bad if the vehicle has low miles. I'm picking up a canister tomorrow from a Camry that had 56,000 miles. Mine has 336,000. So, in my case, it couldn't hurt, I would think. Finding one with low mileage may be hard these days though, not to mention finding one that hasn't been picked clean.

JohnGD just mentioned that P0440 and P0441 accompanied by the P0446 may be a sign of a bad canister? I have never heard that before. All I did was replace the VSV at the canister. I was going to save this junkyard canister for next year. But since I got all three codes, I'm thinking maybe I should replace it now.

When you remove the canister on the 1999 V6 does it drop out or do you have to remove something else? It looks pretty tight under there. THX

twocamryowner · 11-30-2009, 07:43 PM

Guys, I had my canister replaced a year ago ('00 3.0). $400 or so for OEM installed at the dealer. I wasn't going to lay on the floor and fight with that thing. It did come as an assembly with a new VSV as well. I was told the canister falls apart internally and fouls up the valve, so just replacing the valve may work for awhile, but it will eventually get fouled as well. I think the VSV itself was $70 something, so I bit the bullet.

Brian

ghost111 · 12-01-2009, 04:35 AM

Has anyone done this install as a DIY?

Hajoca · 12-01-2009, 08:51 AM

I think that Maim menu did the vsv DIY.

ghost111 · 12-01-2009, 09:18 AM

Cananyone who has done the canister tell me if it just drop out after you unbolt and disconnect the various lines