What symptoms will appear if the carbon canister is damaged?
2 Answers
When a vehicle's carbon canister is damaged, symptoms may include jerking during sudden acceleration, noticeable gasoline odor, weak acceleration, fluctuating idle speed of the engine, engine stalling easily, and difficulty starting. Below is a detailed introduction to the main functions of the carbon canister: Adsorbing gasoline vapor: By controlling the solenoid valve, fuel vapor is directed into the engine to participate in combustion, thereby reducing fuel consumption and preventing excessive pressure in the fuel tank. Reducing evaporative emissions: The carbon canister is located between the fuel tank and the engine. Since gasoline is a volatile liquid, under normal temperature conditions, a portion of fuel vapor is generated inside the fuel tank. The carbon canister directs this fuel vapor into the combustion process and prevents it from evaporating into the atmosphere.
I still remember when my car's charcoal canister had issues before, the symptoms were quite obvious. At first, there was a strong gasoline smell, especially after refueling or when parked in shaded areas – the odor was particularly pungent. The engine ran unevenly too; at idle, the car would rock back and forth as if trembling, and sometimes it wouldn't start at all. The check engine light came on, indicating a problem. Without fixing it, fuel economy worsened – a full tank wouldn't get me far. Ignoring it for long could lead to other failures, like starting difficulties. Now, whenever I detect unusual smells, I head straight to the shop to avoid costly repairs later. Safety comes first, since intense gasoline fumes pose fire risks. During routine maintenance, it's good to inspect the charcoal canister section.
