Charcoal Canister

[ssolomo]

Hi guys,

I just acquired (well, married) a 2001 Camry 2.2l 4 cylinder, so now maintenance is up to me! I'm not up on the car; my wife bought it new 2 years ago and has had zero problems with it in the 50k+ miles she's put on it - until last week. CEL came on - dealer said code was P0446 and had to replace the charcoal canister, which is an emissions part but not covered under federal emissions warranty nor extended warranty. To the tune of nearly $400.

Is this a regular wear item? I've never heard of this part before. Does this part typically go out on Camrys? Sounds to me like we got taken for a ride.

FWIW, I'm an enthusiast - I drive a Ford Contour SVT, slightly modded. And a regular participant in the contour forums www.contour.org if you're curious.

Thanks! Look forward to seeing y'all around.

Steven

[burchard]

check this site http://www.autoshop101.com/ Llook for the evaporative emissions control system technical article article.

[jornie14]

you definately got taken for a ride if you are willing to get your hands dirty. A charcoal canister is about $200 at autozone, but I bet you could get it real cheap at a junk yard. It isn't that hidden, you could replace it yourself without too much of a headache.

[ssolomo]

This time, nothing I could do. She already took the car. But I'm thinking of buying a scan tool in case the CEL lights back up - any suggestions?

[Nico]

I would buy the Haynes manual instead, they are talking of a way to diagnose it yourself without any specific tool. I have never done it yet but I am sure it should work

[Nico]

Originally posted by Nico
I would buy the Haynes manual instead, they are talking of a way to diagnose it yourself without any specific tool. I have never done it yet but I am sure it should work

In fact I just heard this trick might not work on your car so I don't know if someone here might know more than me about this issue...

[jornie14]

From what I have heard you can read the code yourself based on how many times the check engine light flashes when you jumper the diagnosis circuit. I am sorry I can't be more specific because I don't have my manual here with me.

[white90dx]

Originally posted by jornie14
From what I have heard you can read the code yourself based on how many times the check engine light flashes when you jumper the diagnosis circuit. I am sorry I can't be more specific because I don't have my manual here with me.

That trick only works with the pre-OBD-II cars... its nice for us gen2 owners though...

-Charlie

[2000CamryLEV6]

my CEL came on for 1 day last week... and toyota wants $80 to run the code... even though i have the 6yr/100k mile platinum warranty through toyota... i dont get it.

[ssolomo]

If the toyota extended warranty plan works like my ford ESP plan does, the mfr will pay the fee to read the trouble code (which is waived if you have the shop perform the repair, typically) but only if it is caused by a covered part.

In my case of the charcoal canister, it is not a covered part so nothing was covered, but the dealer didn't make us pay to read the trouble code since we got the repair done there.

[SKYravefever]

hmm... kind of shady if you ask me. If the canister is a emissions item, then it ought to be covered. Perhaps it's different here in California

[ssolomo]

That is correct - California has additional items that are required to be covered under emissions warranty.

[FrankXT86]

It happened to my 99 camry. Got it and said there was a problem with the charcoal canister. It was acutally a twisted vacuum line. Take it to a valid mechanic to get it checked out. Thats what I did...a 90 dollar with labor fix instead of a 500 dollar fix from the dealer

[FrCrakr77]

Originally posted by ssolomo
FWIW, I'm an enthusiast - I drive a Ford Contour SVT, slightly modded. And a regular participant in the contour forums www.contour.org if you're curious.

Steven

Props from a former SVT Contour owner!

I sold my black/tan 2000 last March, and have missed it ever since. Sold it for financial and 'family harmony' reasons, and looked for a few months to pick up another one for cheaper, but could never find one in decent condition that wasn't commanding a tall price.

I'm not sure if I'll ever have another one, but I will certainly never forget the visceral thrill that thing was. The 7000-rpm scream of the H.O. Duratec V6 and its amazing exhaust howl were simply some of the most beautiful sounds to come from a grocery getter.

Take care!