Passing Inspection with Charcoal Canister Needing Replacement?

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

JonLPXC@gmail.com - 21 Sep 2007 15:47 GMT

My '99 Camry has 160 k miles on it and diagnostics say that the check
engine light is on because of problems with the Charcoal Canister.
There have been some posts on this a while back, but no definite
conclusion on what to do--some people said you can pay $400 to have
the part replaced and the engine light still stays on....

I'm facing the decision of whether to try to keep the car for another
year (also needs tires) or ditching it and buying the new Accord
(which my mechanic likes better nowadays than Camry's).

Would appreciate it if anyone had advice on what the options are to
deal with the canister issue (there's no effect on engine performance
that I can discern..) I'd hate to pay for tires, canister and still
not pass inspection in a few months....and my 4 cylinder Camry has
always been annoyingly under-powered....etc.

Thanks in advance,

Jon

Reply to this Message

CamryMan98 - 22 Sep 2007 01:02 GMT

If the canister is the problem and you have it replaced, why would the light
stay on? Maybe the shade tree mechanics who are replacing the canister
themselves misdiagnosed the check engine light to begin with. I hate to
say this, but maybe a dealership might be the best place to go. I know
it'll cost, probably $500 minimum, but your check engine light will be off
after that...or they'll make good on any subsequent problem with it. Not
sure which direction you should take with getting a new car. There's alot
of factors going into that decision...is your job stable, your company
healthy etc. Recession dead-ahead, but there's nothing like the confidence
of driving a brand-new car. My advice, have it repaired, get that light
off, buy new tires, and when smog time comes around...pray for some
dispensation.

> My '99 Camry has 160 k miles on it and diagnostics say that the check
> engine light is on because of problems with the Charcoal Canister.
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Jon

Reply to this Message

EdV - 22 Sep 2007 04:03 GMT

Dont go rushing to Honda and buying th new Accord, wait for a few more
months or years and look out for consumer reports on the new model.

> If the canister is the problem and you have it replaced, why would the light
> stay on? Maybe the shade tree mechanics who are replacing the canister
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
>
> > Jon

Reply to this Message

mred - 22 Sep 2007 13:27 GMT

> If the canister is the problem and you have it replaced, why would the light
> stay on? Maybe the shade tree mechanics who are replacing the canister
[quoted text clipped - 34 lines]
>
> - Show quoted text -

I have an `02 Camry -4 and the vacuum switch was diagnosed as faulty
by a dealer I USUALLY use.(Code reader)

However his price for replacing the carcola canister and built in ,
non serviceable vacuum switch was : $650.00 Canadian.

Being of a sceptical mind , I called two other dealers in the Hamlton
ontario area and was quoted about $160.00 Canadian for the same
thing .

Sensing there was something wrong here , I called Basil Toyota n
Lockport NY and they quoted me a price of around $330.00 to replace
the canister with biult in vacuum switch.

Since Lockport is only about an hours drive from Hamilton and I go to
the US to shop every two weks, I will have it done there when my e-
test is due next August(2008)

They also told me that it was not a seperate unit but the whole
cansiter had to be replaced.

I suspect the other two shops in Canada either didnt know that was the
situation on that year Camry or they would tell me when they were
working on it and discovered that the whole thing had to be
replaced , it would be more money.

My solution to that would be to get a written estimate BEFORE they
started work , then by law ,they cannot charge MORE than 10% of what
was included in the estimate price.so that would be only $16.00
Canadian, (about).

Lets see them wiggle out of that one LOL

I believe they have the same law in the US?

The original shop told me ALL makes seem to have this vacuum switch
problem, but I rather doubt that ?

Can anyone give me some insght into this statement?

Also I find it unusual that ther are no aftermarket parts for
something like this ?

Reply to this Message

sharx35 - 23 Sep 2007 03:18 GMT

> My '99 Camry has 160 k miles on it and diagnostics say that the check
> engine light is on because of problems with the Charcoal Canister.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> year (also needs tires) or ditching it and buying the new Accord
> (which my mechanic likes better nowadays than Camry's).

Some mechanics prefer Accords because Accords need more repairs, more often than do Camrys.

> Would appreciate it if anyone had advice on what the options are to
> deal with the canister issue (there's no effect on engine performance
> that I can discern..) I'd hate to pay for tires, canister and still
> not pass inspection in a few months....and my 4 cylinder Camry has
> always been annoyingly under-powered....etc.

I test drove both the 4 and the 6--opted for the 6, a VERY easy decision...as Camrys with the 6 come with
much stronger suspension. Essentially, an entry level Lexus.

> Thanks in advance,
>
> Jon

Reply to this Message