What are the symptoms of a faulty carbon canister in a car?
4 Answers
Automobile carbon canister failure symptoms include abnormal driving noises, jerking during sudden acceleration, noticeable gasoline odor, lack of power during acceleration, fluctuating engine idle speed, engine stalling, difficulty starting, and gas ejection when opening the fuel tank cap. Here is relevant information: 1. Function: The official name of the carbon canister is the gasoline vehicle fuel vapor adsorption and desorption device, which serves to reduce emissions of gasoline vapors from the car's fuel tank and carburetor. 2. Components: The carbon canister is actually part of the gasoline evaporation control system, with the carbon canister being the most critical device in this system, primarily responsible for collecting and storing gasoline vapors. The carbon canister installed in the car is essentially an assembly.
My car is almost twenty years old, and I often smell a strong gasoline odor, especially when it's parked in the garage after turning off the engine. At first, I thought the fuel tank cap wasn't tightened properly, but upon checking, I found it was securely closed. The idle speed is also unstable while driving, the engine light flickers on and off, and there's even a hissing sound with significant pressure when refueling at the gas tank opening. After taking it to the repair shop, the mechanic diagnosed a faulty charcoal canister, which can't absorb fuel vapors, leading to leaks. Prolonged neglect could pose safety risks, such as vapor buildup causing explosions or fuel wastage, so don't delay repairs—get it fixed at a professional shop ASAP. Regular maintenance checks are crucial; don't be as careless as I was.
I drive this old clunker to work every day, and since last week there's been a strong gasoline smell lingering in the car - it's unbearable. Especially after being in the sun, the odor becomes overpowering, and even starting the engine feels sluggish. I looked it up online and suspected it might be a faulty charcoal canister, which can release fumes when damaged. Not daring to fix it myself, I took it to the shop where they confirmed the diagnosis. Got it repaired immediately to avoid long-term health risks or potential fuel leaks causing fires. The smell gets worse when using AC, so regular ventilation and interior cleaning are recommended.
I know a little about cars, and after checking myself, I found obvious symptoms of a bad charcoal canister. When starting the car, the exhaust makes a buzzing noise, and the dashboard light came on. Using an OBD scanner, I saw the trouble code P0442, indicating an evaporative system leak. Opening the fuel tank cap, there was no normal suction but instead a puff of air, proving the valve is clogged. Fixing it is simple—just replace it. Ignoring it will reduce fuel efficiency and waste money on gas. Don’t forget this part during regular maintenance—it can save a lot of trouble.
