No emission systems in any vehicle could do well without functioning EVAP canisters.
One small untreated malfunction could trigger harmful vapors into thin air and even degrade the car’s engine performance, hence the importance of keeping an eye on the bad EVAP canister symptoms.
My inclusive review will delve into all the most common indicators and their likely culprits. Keep scrolling for details.
What Are The Bad EVAP Canister Symptoms?
Bad EVAP canisters often manifest their weakening state in blinking check engine lights, poor gas mileage, poor engine performance, rough idle, or engine-starter difficulties.
Besides, you might notice refueling problems, strong smell, hissing noises, exhaust smoking, and failed emission tests.
The CEL (Check Engine Lights) Are On
Each EVAP canister gets monitored by the automobile computer; the latter also tracks down the performances of canister valves.
Hence, once your computer senses lower or higher valve purging, it will trigger the CEL automatically, resulting in common trouble codes of P0446 or P0441.
Other dashboard warning messages will then activate as a follow-up, notifying you something has gone wrong.
Bad Fuel Mileage
Bad mileage, indicating high gas consumption or serious system leakage, is another factor to look out for when you suspect the EVAP canister has gone lousy.
When canisters break down, the fuel vapor used during combustions will burn out before actually reaching the chamber, forcing your car to consume more gas than necessary.
Bad Engine Performance
Due to the half-hearted combustion processes described above (resulting in bad mileage), engine performance also suffers.
Your vehicle might experience very sluggish movements while driving, even when you have already applied pressure on your pedals.
Rough Idlings
How do I know if my EVAP canister is bad?
Malfunctioning EVAP canisters often go hand in hand with rough idles, too, failing to retain decent RPM counts over higher speeds (about 1000 for stable vehicles).
No wonder your car starts shaking and jittering!
Still, rough idling might stem from other issues with spark plugs, fuel injectors, or vacuum leaks, so it would be best to have professionals verify the common symptoms of bad EVAP canister carefully.
Difficulties Starting The Engine
Try everything you can and still fail to start the engine bay? It’s a cue to check your EVAP canister.
Bad charcoal canisters cause severe vacuum leaks, allowing unmetered airflow into the tank and ultimately disturbing the ideal fuel to air mixture.
This excessive amount of added air disrupts the combustion process, keeping the engine from on-time, punctual firing.
That explains why your engine compartment stays stubbornly unmoving!
Problems With Filling The Tank
In normal circumstances, the fuel fume will pass through your car’s charcoal canister; but there is no way this process could happen uneventfully if your canister gets clogged!
The tank pressure rises much higher, preventing air from flowing out while you fill the fuel. So even before the tank gets full, your fuel hose nozzle will shut itself off.
Strong Fuel Smell
Like rough idle, gas odors might also come from numerous engine problems or faults.
Still, broken EVAP canisters are among the most popular reasons, giving off a very strong, distinctive gas smell that is hard to ignore.
Hissing Sounds
Do you hear a low hissing noise when opening the tank for refueling?
That usually happens after an extended period of driving, which weakens the EVAP canisters and keeps them from distributing even pressure on time.
Failed Emission Testing
A car failing the emission tests usually indicates too much gas fume emissions caused by malfunctioning EVAP canisters.
In cases like these, the CEL will most likely illuminate as well.
White Smokes From The Exhausts
Smokes from exhaust pipes are from the past now; except for carburetor engines and vintage 2-stroke models, no modern vehicles puff out white smogs from their backs anymore.
So once you realize your upgraded, directional-injection engines start churning out gas or visible smoke, the air-fuel ratio has definitely gone astray.
It is not always triggered by bad EVAP systems, sure, but still a likely cause worth checking out.
What Causes Bad EVAP Canister Symptoms?
Blockages and Clogs
Blocked or clogged canisters obviously keep the system from proper emission control.
You can start the troubleshooting by checking its vent valves first (usually located around the fuel tank).
Most blockages and debris in these valves could easily be handled with a simple rag, but feel free to replace them if you want to err on the safe side.
Do troubles persist? Then go further and inspect the deeper parts of your charcoal canisters. Like the valves, they could also be cleansed or replaced, depending on the severity of the dust buildups.
Physical Damages
Many driving incidents could cause signs of a bad EVAP canister, such as:
- Collisions or crashes with other cars
- Driving on rough terrains
- Weather/chemical exposure that causes corrosion
Failure to treat them on time eventually causes malfunctions and severe leaks. To sidestep the issues in the future, keep a good maintenance schedule and avoid hazardous driving situations as much as you can.
Faulty Components
EVAP canisters are closely intertwined with other compartments in the evaporative emission control systems; hence, it is natural to assume technical faults in another EVAP feature end up hurting the canister in the process.
The best way to identify the exact source of the vapor canister symptoms is to rely on smoke tests (preferably done by an automotive technician).
Smokes will pass through the pressurized EVAP system and emit through the leak holes, allowing vehicle owners to spot the cracked component.
Tank Overfill
Too much gas in the tank increases the EVAP system beyond the required numbers, bursting in severe malfunctions and leaks.
Hence, always stop at the manufacturer’s recommended level in your future tank filling.
Better yet, you can place the gas gauge nearby and monitor it during the entire filling process to sidestep unexpected, sudden dips.
Moisture
Like with any automobile part, EVAP’s performance will suffer from too much moisture-related damage and corrosion.
Always make sure your vehicle stays from potential moisture sources (ex: leaks, broken gaskets, etc.) and repair the injuries promptly.
Other Reasons
- Natural cause. Over time, your EVAP gaskets and seals experience natural aging and gradually degrade.
- Cheap materials. Several cars employ cheap, plastic components within the system, which do not hold well against heavy abuse/weather and easily crack.
FAQs
Can You Keep Driving Without Addressing The Bad EVAP Canister?
Yes, you can, but you should not. For one, worsened emission control will eventually creep into your engine performance and significantly reduce the car’s efficiency.
Secondly, the CEL not turning off (due to bad canisters) keeps you from recognizing other engine problems usually notified by the flashing Check Engine light.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix Bad Vapor Canister Symptoms?
Expect $447 to $502, though these numbers mostly involve purchases of replacement parts. The labor services are actually quite cheap.
Conclusion
Bad EVAP canister symptoms can manifest in the gas tank, automobile exhaust, fuel odor, or check engine light.
Drop by a mechanic shop the moment you sense something unusual, and contact us for help if you want to attempt DIY fixes to save costs.