charcoal canister ?

I have a 2002 with v6 and 117,000 miles. I recently took it in to get fixed because the check engine light was on. They said it was a hose and something with a seal around the gas cap. They fixed it and the check engine light went off.

However, they said my charcoal canister was bad and my check engine light might come back on in a few weeks because of it. Well, not my check engine light is back on.

Does this sound right ? How much does a new canister cost ? Is it a DIY project ?

 

I am too having an issue I think its the charcoal canister,mine stems from overfilling and topping off when getting gas(my fault).When you overfill your gas tank raw gas gets inside the canister and shoots it into the intake manifold when starting your truck after refueling it causes the engine to stumble and stall only on refilling the tank. I am too trying to figure out if its a DIY,I have searched the internet and have very little to go on in that regards. But others have had it replaced by the Dealerships.

 

This is a common issue and personally I feel Toyota should have made a recall for this voluntarily but they won't because it doesn't necessarily affect your safety. The problem lies not with the canister itself, but there is a small piece of plastic on the end to that cracks over time with heat and wear causing a small leak. However that Check Engine Light can come on for a number of reasons relating to a small fuel leak.

Usually caused by:
Defective Charcoal Canister
Broken/bad seal on your gas cap
Fuel filler neck corrosion

 

do you know where the canister is located ?

 

its on top of the gas tank from what im getting is that the gas tank may have to be removed to replace it? it looks to me that the spare tire can be removed and possibly be replaced like that,but I am not positive. Hopefully someone can chime in on how someone can take out the canister.

 

Check the code first. There are three vacuum switching valves in a v6 1st gen that could be defective. Two near the battery, one by the charcoal canister. Check these with a multimeter before throwing hundreds at a canister.