Replacing Fuel Vapor Canister In Toyota Camry: Diy Guide

The fuel evaporative canister, also known as the charcoal or EVAP canister, is an emission control device in Toyota Camrys that traps fuel vapours and sends them to the fuel tank for later use. This component is located under the car, tucked up by the fuel tank. While it does not require regular check-ups, it is important to periodically clean the canister from any dirt. If you notice any cracks or damages, it is important to replace the canister as fuel vapours trapped within can react explosively with outside air. This job can be done by an experienced DIYer or a professional technician.

Disconnect the exhaust in front of and behind the muffler

Disconnecting the exhaust in front of and behind the muffler is a crucial step in replacing the fuel vapor canister in a Toyota Camry. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to do this:

First, ensure that the car is securely propped up on jack stands. You want the rear of the car to be as high as possible, so use a floor jack to lift it and make sure it is absolutely safe and stable.

Next, crawl under the car and locate the exhaust in front of and behind the muffler. You will need to disconnect this section of the exhaust so that it can hang down a bit and give you access to the fuel vapor canister. There are a few ways to do this: you can use a 14mm socket to loosen the bolts, or you can pry the rubber hangers off with a screwdriver. Be careful not to damage any other components while doing this.

Once the exhaust is disconnected, you will be able to lower it down and access the fuel vapor canister, which is located behind the undercarriage of the car. This step is crucial as it provides the necessary space to remove and replace the canister.

Now that you have accessed the canister, the next step is to remove the smaller hoses and electrical connectors attached to it. Again, be careful not to damage any other components while doing this. With the hoses and connectors removed, you can then remove the bolts holding the canister in place and carefully pry it down to remove it.

At this point, you will have successfully disconnected the exhaust in front of and behind the muffler, and you can now focus on installing the new fuel vapor canister. Simply reverse the steps you took to remove the old canister, making sure to tighten all bolts securely.

Finally, lower the car from the jack stands, reset the check engine light if necessary, and take the car for a test drive to ensure everything is functioning properly.

Disconnect the control arms and undercarriage

Disconnecting the control arms and undercarriage is a crucial step when replacing the fuel vapor canister of a Toyota Camry. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to do this:

Step 1: Jack up the car and ensure it is secure.

Use a jack to lift the rear of the car and securely place it on jack stands. Make absolutely sure that the car is stable and safe.

Step 2: Disconnect the exhaust.

Crawl under the car and disconnect the exhaust in front of and behind the muffler so that it can hang down. You can do this by using a 14mm socket or a screwdriver to pry the rubber hangers off.

Step 3: Place a floor jack under the center of the undercarriage.

This will provide support while you work.

Step 4: Disconnect the control arms and the undercarriage.

Disconnect the control arms at the wheel end by removing two 19mm bolts from each side. Then, disconnect the undercarriage by removing one 14mm bolt and two 14mm nuts from each side.

Step 5: Lower the undercarriage.

Carefully use the floor jack to lower the undercarriage as much as possible. This step is crucial as it provides the necessary clearance to access and remove the fuel vapor canister.

By following these steps, you will have successfully disconnected the control arms and undercarriage, allowing you to proceed with the replacement of the fuel vapor canister. Remember to work safely and ensure the car is securely supported throughout the process.

Remove smaller hoses from the canister

To remove the smaller hoses from the canister, you can start by removing the rear of the car on jack stands. Make sure the car is as high as possible and absolutely safe, then disconnect the exhaust in front of and behind the muffler so that it can hang down. You will need a 14mm socket or a long flat-blade screwdriver to pry the rubber hangers off.

Next, put a floor jack under the centre of the undercarriage. Disconnect the control arms at the wheel end (two 19mm bolts each side) and then the undercarriage (one 14mm bolt and two 14mm nuts each side). Then, carefully lower the undercarriage as much as you can. Once it is down, you can easily get to the canister.

Before removing the hoses, make a note or take pictures of where all the hoses go, as there are several. You should then be able to remove the smaller hoses from the canister by hand, but if they are stubborn, use pliers to remove them.

Remove bolts holding the canister in place

To remove the bolts holding the fuel vapor canister in place, you will need a 14mm socket, ratchet wrench, and a ratcheting box end wrench.

First, put the rear of the car on jack stands and disconnect the exhaust in front of and behind the muffler so that it can hang down. Disconnect the control arms at the wheel end (two 19mm bolts each side) and then the undercarriage (one 14mm bolt and two 14mm nuts each side). Then, carefully lower the undercarriage as much as possible.

Now, you can get to the canister. First, make a note of where all the hoses go. Then, remove all the smaller hoses from the canister. You should be able to do this by hand, but pliers will help with any that are stubborn.

At this point, you will be able to access the two 14mm bolts that hold the canister in place. Remove these bolts, and then pry down on the metal canister near the plastic snap with a flat-blade screwdriver. The canister will now be hanging free.

Disconnect the electrical plugs

Disconnecting the electrical plugs is a crucial step in replacing the fuel vapor canister in a Toyota Camry. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to do this:

Step 1: Put the rear of the car on jack stands and ensure it is secure and stable.

Step 2: Disconnect the exhaust in front of and behind the muffler so that it can hang down. You can use a 14mm socket or a screwdriver to pry the rubber hangers off.

Step 3: Place a floor jack under the center of the undercarriage and carefully lower it.

Step 4: Disconnect the control arms at the wheel end (two 19mm bolts each side) and then the undercarriage (one 14mm bolt and two 14mm nuts each side).

Step 5: Access the canister from behind the undercarriage. Identify and note the locations of all the hoses connected to the canister.

Step 6: Remove all the smaller hoses from the canister. This can be done by hand, but for any stubborn hoses, use pliers to remove them.

Step 7: Remove the two 14mm bolts that secure the canister in place. Use a flat-blade screwdriver to pry down on the metal canister near the plastic snap, and the canister will be free.

Step 8: Disconnect the two electrical plugs. Use pliers to push the nylon forward plug back through the hole on the old canister to detach the electrical harness. Then, carefully move the harness out of the way.

Step 9: Twist the canister to gain better access to the last big plug, which is usually challenging to reach and see. It has a clip/lock that can be tricky to remove. You can try using small screwdrivers or picks to pry it loose, or push in on the two opposing flat sides of the clip and wiggle it until it comes off.

Step 10: With all the electrical plugs disconnected, proceed to pull out the old canister. You may need to pry down on a control arm to create more space.

Remember to take pictures or make notes on the locations of the hoses and electrical plugs to ensure proper installation of the new canister.

Frequently asked questions