toyota camry 99 with charcoal canister problem

[nicokpe]

I had checked Toyota Camry 99 XLE V6 at local Toyota dealer. Error
code was P0446 and he suggested to replace charcoal canister for $485
and vapor pressure sensor $210 plus 2 1/2 hour labor cost $252 in
order to fix P0446. This looks to me very expensive procedure. I am
wandering if anybody had this type of problem.
What if I have some fuel inside of Charcoal canister. Can it evaporate
on its own thus (Check Engine Light) will disappear automatically.
I appreciate any comments.

[toyomoho]

P0446 Evaporative Emission Control System Vent Control Malfunction

The fuel tank is sealed to prevent gasoline emissions. The charcoal canister absorbs any fumes in the gas tank and stores them. The fumes are then directed to the engine to be burned when engine running. The system has a pressure sensor to detect if the tank remains pressured (is not leaking). If the tank depressurizes, a code(s) is tripped indicating a leak somewhere or one of the system components is not working.

Problem areas with this code: Vacuum hose leaks in fuel tank in emissions control system. Check hoses to the charcoal canister and VSV systems. Canister could have leak, defective VSV for pressure sensor or EVAP, vapor pressure sensor, fuel tank overfull check valve. Also check the gas cap seal.

Check the seal on the gas cap first, then for broken, plugged or damaged hoses in the emission control system.

A Toyota dealer should have the equipment necessary to troubleshoot the system and run down the exact part (not guess).

It is not that hard to change these parts yourself. Try an auto parts store for these items or online vendors such as www.rockauto.com. The canister will be cheaper then Toyota but still not that cheap. Or try a junkyard. Under normal conditions the canister should last the life of the car. Topping off the tank may affect canister life.

This code is pretty common.

A service manual is available at the link below:

http://www.camrymanuals.com/

[pete5668]

Originally Posted by toyomoho

P0446 Evaporative Emission Control System Vent Control Malfunction

Under normal conditions the canister should last the life of the car.

I have been through three canisters. Whenever one blows, I get the 440, 441, and 446 code and it's a $600 job for the canister, the vsv, and labor on my 2001 Camry. Is the dealer raping me, or is all of this necessary? My Camry was built after 1998 so that link that is earlier in this thread doesn't apply.

[AlmightyCamry777]

Originally Posted by pete5668

I have been through three canisters. Whenever one blows, I get the 440, 441, and 446 code and it's a $600 job for the canister, the vsv, and labor on my 2001 Camry. Is the dealer raping me, or is all of this necessary? My Camry was built after 1998 so that link that is earlier in this thread doesn't apply.

The rape thing.
Like the other person was saying, there are cheaper places to find these cannisters, there's nothing wrong with a junkyard one, a lot of places will allow you to exchange it if it still throws a code.

Since it keeps happening you may want to inspect the fuel lines to the cannister, i think they run the entire length under the car, if the rubber line parts are cracked they ought to be changed.

Also i recommend to get a cheap OBD II scanner so you can reset your check engine light yourself. I found one at harborfreight.com for $30 but i think they don't sell this one anymore, they sell one almost as cheap.

The cheap one works well enough for me, how it works is simplicity itself. Plug it in the obd port (always located under the dash, drivers side). Turn on key. The scanner will flash the code 3 times, pause, flash it again 3 times, pause, then do it once more then it will reset the CEL and turn it off. The scanner comes with a list of the codes or you can look them up on the net.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...=obd+2+scanner

They only show 2 kinds the cheapest one is $90, but at the (brick and mortar) store i saw a much cheaper one that's not listed online.
Mine already paid for itself several times, it went on once after i washed the engine and once after i cleaned the throttle body, i used the scanner to turn off the CEL (instead of taking it to the dealer) and the light did not come back on.

[TOYOPARTSMAN]

FYI: To those TN members who don't know me or seen my posts, I do offer 30% off Genuine OEM parts and I only charge actual shipping plus $1.00 - $2.00 for materials, etc. I am an Authorized Toyota Dealer in the Atlanta area. Also, if you have any questions or need information, don't hesitate to contact me. I am happy to help when and where I can.

Good luck guys.