GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Is there a step by step for replacing evap canister?

Not sure of a step by step procedure .... but check out this link and let me know if it helps! viewtopic.php?f=17&t=47004&p=527026&hil ... er#p527026

The info tpollauf shared can help point you in the correct direction.

Why do you want to replace the charcoal canister? What are the CEL's you have? In many cases, it could be as simple as the attached purge valve that needs swapped, and not the entire canister.

I didn't get the code. I brought the car to the mechanic who got a code that said "evap" and then he did a smoke test and told me that the valve from the canister is stuck, and the fuel filler neck is rusty, and both of those are causing the check engine light. Do you think I can replace just the purge valve? Has anybody replaced just the purge valve? Is it difficult? I imagine less difficult than replacing the whole canister. And cheaper...

Purge valve is stupidly easy. It's mounted on the charcoal canister. Has the clip, and the vac lines going to it. I think an electrical sensor too.

You could try flipping the vac lines on the purge valve. It's just a check valve, and gets stuck in one direction. Flipping the vac lines makes the check valve operate the other direction. if code goes away, problem solved.

I'd also recommend getting what the actual codes are, so we can try to assist properly.

zbyers, I'm going to crawl under the car and try to find those hoses and reverse them. Do you have access to any pics or diagrams of where I'd find the hoses to reverse? And would it just involve pulling them both off where they insert somewhere into the canister, and put each one on the other ones place? I'm tired of that check engine light, and I can't afford a new canister or to pay someone to do the work at this point. thanks.

Look up pictures of the purge valve and then you'll see what you need to do.