Charcoal Canister

Hi Rob,
As no one has replied yet, I'll give it a go. I know very little about them but my 100 series manual suggests that Toyota Service centres are supposed to check the operation of the canister - and the hoses /pipes etc every 50,000km.

(I seem to remember my old 1983 Nissan manual suggested replacement every 100,000k)

- "check for internal damage and clogging -if necessary clean with compressed air or replace"... is one thing mentioned in the manual.

The info is a bit too long winded to copy into here but it looks like they test it by measuring air flow and vacuum through the canister on a meter etc.

I have read that there is a likelihood of fuel smell under bonnet and in cabin if the canister is clogged or hoses/pipes cracked. Apparently its likely that the hoses/pipes with crack before the canister gets clogged.

Hope this helps

Cheers