How often should the activated carbon canister be replaced?
2 Answers
Activated carbon has a limited service life, typically ranging from three to six months. Below are specific details about activated carbon: 1. Treatment Method: After approximately 20 days of use, activated carbon can be revitalized by exposing it to sunlight for 3~5 hours or by stir-frying it in a pan. If conditions permit, it can also be dried using a blower. These methods restore the activity of the activated carbon, allowing it to be reused for 6~12 months. Beyond this period, it should be discarded to avoid becoming a source of pollution. 2. Regeneration Principle: Activated carbon regeneration involves the use of physical or chemical methods to remove the adsorbates from the micropores of the activated carbon without damaging its original structure, thereby restoring its adsorption capacity. During the adsorption process, activated carbon adsorbs both the adsorbate and the solvent. Due to differences in affinity, an adsorption equilibrium is reached after a certain period. The purpose of activated carbon regeneration is to disrupt this equilibrium relationship.
I've been driving for almost a decade and never heard of regularly replacing the charcoal canister. This thing acts like a sponge tank storing fuel vapors, installed near the fuel tank. Mainly depends on usage conditions: if you often drive on dusty construction sites or constantly smell gasoline near the rear of the car, it might be clogged and need replacement. Last time my colleague's car had sharply increased fuel consumption and difficulty starting - turned out the charcoal canister was blocked. The mechanic couldn't even clear it with an air gun before replacing it. Don't overfill your tank to the point of overflow during refueling, as gasoline soaking the canister will ruin it immediately. OEM parts can last over 5 years if you're lucky, no need to replace until problems arise.
