Vapor Canister

Has anyone had issues with their charcoal vapor canisters going bad multiple times? I have a 2007 Tacoma with about 61500 miles on it and the canister has gone "bad" 3 times! The first time was around 37000 miles and two weeks out of warranty. To their credit Toyota and the dealership reimbursed me for the work. Then about two years ago, the canister went again throwing 5 codes. They replaced the canister and the emission computer. They told me the computer was screwing up the canister. Again, the dealership and Toyota national reimbursed me for the cost of the canister, the computer was covered under the emission warranty. Now, a week ago, the check engine light comes on, and the truck is throwing 5 codes, all dealing with the vapor canister. I don't overfill, as I was told that could cause it to go bad the first time this happened. This is so frustrating. The canister and work aren't cheap.

I called Toyota National about this issue... I can't fathom the same part breaking 3 times on a truck with only 62k miles on it. I don't off road. I mainly just the drive the truck on long highway trips, since it's more comfortable for the family.

These are the codes I received:
P043E
P042F
P2401
P2402
P2419

 

My 03 had its canister replaced a few years back which was attributed to overfilling. It only happened once. It was traded in last year for my 13.

 

I have a 97 T100 that has had the same problem with the VSV/emission system/charcoal canister throwing CEL codes for years. I don't overfill and have replaced the canister along with most hoses and solenoids in that system but the CEL always comes back. Didn't know this was a problem with other models as well.

Serenity now... Insanity later...

 

I have never replaced mine or gotten CEL codes in 354k miles.

 

Did you ever find out what was causing the issue? The Toyota dealship replaced the whole emission computer along with the canister the last go around and that appears to have done nothing.

 

Do you top off your tank when pumping gas? Some people have said this causes the vapor canister to get liquid gasoline in it, thereby ruining it.

 

Nope, I stop on the first click. I've been adamant about it especially after the canister going bad the first time.

 

I haven't found out what the cause is. Like I said, I've replaced the canister, hoses, and vsv solenoid multiple times but the same CEL codes always come back right away. I've stopped replacing parts and I just pull the CEL codes every once in awhile to ensure no new codes pop up. It sucks that the CEL is always on but I don't know what else to try besides a new ECU possibly, which is cost prohibitive for me. The T100 is no longer my DD so its less of a problem these days, unless I try to sell it.

I never top off either, that's what the dealer accused me of the first time the canister was replaced.

Another thing I was told it could be is an air leak in the fuel system somewhere, i.e. - when you take your gas tank cap off do you hear a release of pressure? You should, if you don't possibly try a new gas cap and/or go through all the rubber hoses connected to the canister and vsv looking for cracked/split hose, replace as necessary.

 

if fuel in the vapor canister can ruin it... whos to say the fuel vapors cant condense and collect in the canister? could be a design thing.. could be a temp thing.. could be a gas thing..


but dude with the 06 and 345k on the clock makes me doubt the design flaw option.

have you opened any of these canisters to check for fuel? where are the sensors that are being triggered? any common time of year for replacement?

 

I don't recall hearing any pressure release when open my gas cap. I will need to check into that.

I checked the pressure release when opening the gas cap... I get nothing. I hear no pressure releasing when opening it.

 

I don't drive the truck much, it isn't my daily driver. It mainly sits in my garage.

I haven't opened any canisters, I think that's a little beyond my skill level. I do know that the Tundras had a TSB related to the vapor canisters going bad. I think they replace the gas fill tubes as the fix.

To their credit, Toyota is going to take care of the repair at no cost to me. They all agreed that it's weird that the vapor canister has gone bad three times. Hopefully this go around, they'll find out what exactly is going on. I don't want to have to deal with this again.

 

It's happening again, the 4th time. The last time was around March 2014, now it just popped up again July 2015. I'm getting P043E, P043F, P2401, P2402, and P2419. The last time I had this looked at, the Toyota dealer kept my truck for a few days and worked on it and said that it should be fixed. I don't think they can figure out what is going on with this truck. This thing is cursed.

 

Happened to mine at 120k miles. I paid $300 for a new canister, but after clearing the codes several times(while waiting for the canister to arrive) it hasn't came back in several weeks now. At least I've got the new one ready to go.

 

Makes one wonder, doesn't it. 4 times in 7 years. Crazy.