Symptoms of a bad EVAP canister can alert drivers to a potential problem that needs to be addressed immediately. A charcoal canister or EVAP is an essential part of a vehicle. Every vehicle has a fuel tank that emits a flammable gas vapor.
When the vehicle is in action, the temperature rises, and its fuel evaporates and becomes vapor. To prevent this harmful vapor from going to waste and getting out into the atmosphere, every car company designs an EVAP system with a charcoal canister, also known as an EVAP canister, which is used as a deposit container for the carbon emissions released from the vehicle.
Read also: EVAP System Leak Symptoms
Bad Evap Canister Common Symptoms
A failing evap canister in a vehicle’s evaporative emission control system can manifest common symptoms, signaling the need for attention and potential repairs.
The most common problem with evap canister is that the evap canister is either jammed when it is opened or closed or it cannot be opened immediately. Here are the symptoms that show the bad evap canister that can harm your vehicle’s machine.
In my experience working on vehicles, I’ve seen that timely diagnosis and repair of a failing EVAP canister can save significant costs and prevent more severe damage. For example, during a routine check on a client’s car, we found that the EVAP canister was saturated with fuel, leading to a noticeable decrease in fuel efficiency and a strong fuel odor.
Check Engine Light is On
The first symptom of your bad evap canister is that the ‘check engine light is on. If the cleansing flow is less or more than what has been estimated, the computer will turn the ‘check engine light’ on.
When you see this light go on, along with the particular smell of gasoline fumes, the possibility of a bad evap canister is likely high. Take your car to the garage immediately to get it checked.
Rough Idle
A rough idle is a common sign of a failing evap canister. The canister is a crucial component of the emissions control system, and when it malfunctions, it can disrupt engine performance, leading to rough idling.
Damaged Gasket
When you have a normal evap canister that functions normally, the fuel vapors can be stored in it and recycled later. If the canister cap does not properly open, your fuel capacity will drop significantly since the vapors fail to pass.
This will cause half of your fuel to be wasted since the emission vapor will go out into the air. This can also cause intense pressure that blows the gasket and its rubber seals. This will lead to oil leaks that get drench the emission system and the engine compartment.
Decreased Gas Mileage
When the evap canister is not functioning correctly, gas mileage is often reduced. The canister purge valve, which regulates the flow of fuel vapor, may not work as intended, causing increased fuel consumption.
Vacuum Leak
A failing evap canister can develop leaks or cracks. These defects can create vacuum leaks in the evaporative emission control system, allowing unmetered air to enter and affecting the engine’s performance and emissions control.
Failed Emission Test
A malfunctioning evap canister can increase vehicle emissions. When the emissions control system is compromised, the vehicle may fail an emissions test due to excessive pollutant emissions.
Emissions Control System Warning Light
A failing evap canister can trigger the check engine light or the dashboard’s specific emissions control system warning light. This light indicates a problem within the system, and a diagnostic scan may reveal a failing canister.
Gas Tank Issues
The problem can also disrupt the pressure balance within the gas tank. This can lead to difficulties during refueling, such as gas pump nozzles prematurely shutting off or difficulty filling the tank.
Odor of Fuel
A strong gasoline smell around the vehicle can indicate an EVAP system failure. This smell is often caused by fuel vapors escaping from the fuel tank, fuel lines, or fuel injectors.
Machine Problem
If the evap canister is left open, it will cause a leak to cause your machine a big problem. The air from the outside will enter the machine in an unknown ratio that the car computer cannot calculate. If you leave this to continue, your machine will be shaken and rough.
Saturated Evap Canister
This can happen when you fill the fuel tank past its capacity. The spilled liquid will be forced into the evap canister. This device is not built to hold liquid form. The liquid gasoline that enters won’t be able to be purged properly, resulting in the vapor canister being saturated.
Also, the bad charcoal canister in the faulty evap canister can cause the damaged evap to become saturated. This one is difficult to diagnose and repair.
Additional Symptoms from Expert Sources
- Difficulty Starting the Engine: If the evaporative emission system leaks, it can cause difficulty starting your car’s engine. This usually happens when the car’s vacuum leak is caused by a bad charcoal canister. The vacuum leak allows unmetered air into the engine, disturbing the air-fuel ratio.
- Poor Fuel Mileage: As highlighted, poor fuel mileage indicates high consumption or gas leakage in the system. This is often due to the fuel vapors being used during combustion burning off before reaching the combustion chamber.
Those common sights can cause you lots of problems and fortune to repay the damaged parts of your car.
It’s important to note that these symptoms may vary depending on the extent of the evap canister’s failure and the vehicle’s make and model. When any of these signs are observed, seeking professional diagnosis and repair is advisable to restore proper emissions control and overall vehicle performance.
