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Evap Canister Question

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Rebound, May 9, 2024.

  1. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    This post is about a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. But I figure someone here knows the answer.

    My father-in-law couldn’t fuel his Hyundai; the pump would continually click off. I removed the EVAP canister and charcoal poured out of the lines.

    What happened is that the little foam screen that keeps the charcoal from escaping deteriorated. So I was able to pour ALL of the charcoal out of the canister, then I reattached the hoses and put it all back together. The car runs fine and we can add fuel without any difficulty.

    A replacement canister is about $550. Alternately, I can cut the canister open, put a new screen in to keep the charcoal pellets in place, and either put the charcoal back in or fill with fresh charcoal (if I can find any), then glue the canister back together. OR, I can leave it as-is.

    THE QUESTION: (Yes, finally, I’m getting to the question!) Can I cause any damage or harm by just operating the vehicle with no charcoal in the canister? I haven’t smelled any fuel (I tried). The car runs fine. So, can this cause any sort of damage?
     
    #1 Rebound, May 9, 2024
  2. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    The car is designed to work with certain equipment. When you remove it, it doesn't
    work the same.
     
    #2 ASRDogman, May 9, 2024
  3. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Exactly! I don’t know either, that’s why I’m asking.
     
    #3 Rebound, May 9, 2024
  4. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    I did almost exactly this repair on a different Hyundai.

    Instead of opening the canister and installing a new screen, I made my own screen a few inches down the hose, so the charcoal couldn't get very far.

    Worked perfectly for at least 6 months- unknown beyond that due to sale.

    You can use grocery store cooking charcoal- the trick is to get the lump style and break it into smaller pellets.
     
    #4 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, May 9, 2024
  5. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I had always believed the stuff in the canisters is activated charcoal.

    There seem to be various processes involving heat or chemicals that 'pop' charcoal like popcorn into a form with a lot more surface area for the same mass. The linked Wikipedia article suggests about a thousand times the surface area of plain charcoal. (!)

    But the top "shopping" links in my Google search for activated charcoal are showing, like, 50 pound bags for $9.20. Doesn't seem hard to get the stuff.
     
    #5 ChapmanF, May 9, 2024
  6. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Latest I’ve heard is that you can buy the stuff at Petco — it’s used in aquarium filters.
     
    #6 Rebound, May 10, 2024
    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller likes this.
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Or just reuse the old. I know though: good opportunity to refresh it, if you can get the right stuff.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, May 10, 2024
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