How Often Should the Car Charcoal Canister Be Replaced?
2 Answers
Car charcoal canisters should be replaced every 40,000 to 60,000 kilometers. Generally installed between the fuel tank and the engine, the charcoal canister utilizes the adsorption capacity of its internal activated charcoal to absorb and store gasoline vapors from the fuel tank. When the engine starts, the solenoid valve between the activated charcoal canister and the intake pipe opens according to the ECU's command. At this point, the gasoline vapors inside the activated charcoal canister are drawn into the cylinder along with air under the vacuum pressure of the intake pipe to participate in combustion. Due to the adsorption function of activated charcoal, when the car is running or turned off, gasoline vapors from the fuel tank enter the upper part of the activated charcoal canister through the pipeline, while fresh air enters the activated charcoal canister from the lower part.
I've been driving for 15 years, and there's no fixed replacement interval for the charcoal canister. It mainly depends on the vehicle's condition and actual usage. Typically, you can just inspect it every 60,000 to 80,000 kilometers. The last time my car's charcoal canister had issues, I kept hearing a puffing exhaust sound when refueling, the fuel tank cap was extremely hard to open, and the engine occasionally had unstable idling. The mechanic said this was because the activated charcoal had reached saturation, causing fuel vapors to flow back into the tank. Nowadays, new car designs are more durable, with some even lasting a lifetime without replacement. If you frequently smell gasoline or notice a sudden increase in fuel consumption, there's a good chance the charcoal canister needs replacing. To prolong its lifespan, avoid overfilling the tank and parking in direct sunlight, as these can accelerate aging.
