[Car Repair] Vapor Carbon Canister rebuild 'hack' - worth it?

[Jon Kelly]

So lately it looks like we're having issues with the carbon canister on our 07 Hyundai Accent.

I'm not extremely familiar with this part of the EVAP system, so I wanted to ask about a crazy idea that I'm looking in to in case there's a chance of upsetting some system sensors. Hopefully someone can chime in :)

From what I can tell online, the cannister is essentially 3 parts - the case, activated carbon, and some foam filters to keep it from getting sucked into the vacuum line. Replacing the carbon and foam filters would be ~100 dollars cheaper than replacing the whole unit, but would require that I cut open the case and epoxy it back together.

Thinking about how particular the system is currently, is there any reason to not do this? Considering my cutting skills and gluing skills will not be machine perfect, does this have the potential to affect the vacuum formed negatively?

[David Mitchell]

Interesting idea, if the canister is shot anyways what do you have to lose?

The biggest thing in my mind is just making sure you dont have any vacuum leaks after you're done. I've never sawed one of these things open so I dont know how much carbon is in there or how it's packaged and contained.

Sounds like fun. I bet Marshall P has some extra activated charcoal.

When it leaks, at least in my old car, the check engine comes on and you get a fault code complaining about the canister, but the car still runs. (but alas wont pass emissions anymore).

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[Martin Bogomolni]

It's a Hyundai, and those carbon canisters are one of the more
interesting things they added to their design. In theory, to reduce
hydrocarbon emissions from the fueling process .. in practice? They
tend to leak carbon pellets when someone tries to "top off" the tank,
and can cause all kinds of fun (like slow fueling when the line gets
clogged).

The canister is full of very small carbon pellets, and sometimes
another white media pellet (whose composition I do not know).

Could be very interesting to refill, although I'm not sure where
you'll find a source for pellets that won't break apart when washed
over with gasoline.

[Jon Kelly]

The behavior threw me off at first, and sent me in the wrong direction (over cranked, looked like a dead battery or alternator). The giveaway was the initial behavior acting up under a specific condition twice - after fill up it stalls out temporarily. Hyundai and Kia are prone to this apparently, but usually it's caused from over-filling the gas tank, which we don't do.

Extra activated charcoal would be awesome! I'll have to check with him. I was planning on stopping by the pet store/section somewhere and getting some.

Regarding the hack, there are tutorials out there for older cars - a pretty good link I have is for a 76 jeep. http://jeep.smallcraft.net/completed_projects/canister/

I think the system is sealed as a whole, but the actual carbon is leaking into the hoses (won't know till I get down there) and partially blocking the CCV/PCSV and preventing some of the vacuum pressure. I replaced the purge valve a few months back due to the same engine code, but this recent behavior has been the first real clue to what the issue was. It's the most annoying code you can get on an EVAP system - P0456 - which translates to small leak... somewhere...

On Fri, May 3, 2013 at 11:55 AM, David Mitchell <dmitche...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Jon Kelly]

The impression i get is that the carbon pellets are held in place by a secondary filter - I believe this filter is what is failing, allowing the pellets to move freely.

[Nathan]

Jon, have you tried a junk yard? All vehicles manufactured since the
late 60's have fuel vapor recovery systems. There can't be too much
difference between a VW, Ford, or Kia charcoal canister, just shape
and number of inlets/outlets (unused could be plugged). I bet you
could pick up a used one for $20. Talk to Dave at the used parts
counter at Austin VeeDub, maybe you could snag one out of a jetta or
eurovan. You actually don't need the canister if you don't mind the
gas smell, and don't park in the garage (trust me on that one).

[Paul]

I came across this site with some info on another charcoal canister - the way he tested the valves, etc might be of some use, although not the same brand.
Paul

http://steampunkworkshop.com/toyota-sienna-evaporative-canister-and-svs-valve-repair

[Brent Burton]

Several yeqrs ago the salvage yard I bought a motor from gave me a canister.  The owner said per EPA rules he couldnt sell a used one, but he could give one away. Fwiw.