Where is the carbon canister located in the Nissan Sylphy?
3 Answers
Nissan Sylphy's carbon canister is located between the fuel tank and the engine. Here are details about the carbon canister: 1. Activated charcoal canister storage device: Since gasoline is a highly volatile liquid, the fuel tank often contains vapors at normal temperatures. The fuel evaporation emission control system is designed to direct these vapors into the combustion process and prevent them from being released into the atmosphere. 2. Working principle: After the engine is turned off, gasoline vapors mix with fresh air inside the canister and are stored in the activated charcoal canister. When the engine starts, the solenoid valve installed between the activated charcoal canister and the intake manifold opens. Under the vacuum pressure of the intake pipe, the gasoline vapors in the activated charcoal canister are drawn into the cylinders along with clean air to participate in combustion.
I've been driving for over a decade and often do minor repairs myself. The location of the Sylphy's charcoal canister depends on the model year - for classic older models it's usually tucked inside the left rear wheel well, just lift the trunk mat to feel the plastic housing. Newer models have trickier placement near the right rear wheel, tightly covered by underbody panels requiring removal of a couple screws for access. It's essentially a black box that absorbs gasoline fumes, connected to the fuel tank via a hose. If you notice strong gasoline odor at the rear or a suction sound when opening the fuel cap, it's likely clogged. Remember no smoking near fuel tanks - safety first, and disconnect the battery before working for extra precaution.
My 14th-generation Sylphy had the check engine light on last time. After troubleshooting, it turned out to be an issue with the carbon canister purge valve, so I took the opportunity to study its location. It sits right next to the rear axle, tightly wrapped by the underbody shield, requiring the car to be lifted for proper access. The carbon canister itself is a plastic square box responsible for absorbing fuel vapors from the tank, while the solenoid valve controls their release—the structure is actually quite simple. When refueling, avoid repeatedly jamming the nozzle all the way in and forcing fuel in with 'click-click' sounds, as overfilling can easily flood the carbon canister. Also, minimize using high-pressure water jets to wash the inner side of the rear wheels during car washes, as sand and debris blocking the drainage holes can also affect it. The mechanic mentioned this issue isn’t uncommon—once, he just blew it clear for me and fixed the problem.
