What's a Charcoal Filter?

[xtc500]

Our 05 Corolla with 79000km on it has had the check engine light go on occasionally lately. Took it to the dealer tonight to have it diagnosed and they said it needs a charcoal filter. Something to do with the emission system. The dealer wanted $638. (no warranty) including installation for it. Since the check engine light hasn't been on for a few days, and I didn't have close to $700. burning a hole in my pocket, I paid for the diagnosis ($109.) and left. Anyone have any experience with this? What could go wrong with a charcoal filter in only 79,000km?

[wadavisazle]

Have you been burning real cheap gasoline in your car? The charcoal filter is designed to recirculate gas fumes from your gas tank back into the fuel system. If you have been burning cheap gas the charcoal filter may be clogged up.

[oliveirakm]

I had the same problem with my 05 except at about 37K. The guys at the quick serve oil change section of the dealership found it and charged me the $109 fee for doing so. Needless to say, I was quite angry that it cost me money to find this and then they wanted to charge me close to $700 to fix this "malfunction" with only 1K miles past my warranty.
I complained to my service rep and they replaced the cannister at no charge. They had no explanation for the problem and I had never heard of such a thing either. I think that this may be a problem with Corolla's and they're sticking it to the owner's to fix.

[9phil9]

Or it just might be you are dealing someone who is, shall we say, less than honest.
Maybe they thought they saw another poor sucker who would cough up $700 for something the dealer also charges the factory to fix.
Double billing happens.
Hospitals do it all the time, so why wouldn't auto repair facilities?
If your engine check light came on, then some code had to be recorded in your computer.
It does not cost $108 to plug your car in, and read the code.
Bottom line here is this.
Next time your CEL comes on; don't take it back to the guy who charged you $108 for a diagnosis, unless you enjoy being taken for a fool.

[siennabram]

Overfilling the fuel tank can cause fuel contamination of the charcoal canister.

[oliveirakm]

It was Toyota that charged me to diagnose - they caught me at a moment of weakness where I was being trusting. They told me that it would be refunded if it was under warranty or would be taken off the cost of repair/parts, plus, and here's the kicker, he told me that only Toyota can read the computers because of the new technology. I asked him if he was sure that no other place could diagnose and he flat out told me "no".
I ended up getting that refunded but now they have lost my trust - I don't understand why dealers continue to treat customers in this manner. I love my Corolla and I'm happy with my decision or purchasing it - but I can no longer say the same for the dealership.

[9phil9]

I know exactly how you feel.
I once took an 18 wheeler into a Kenworth dealer near Chicago with instructions to repair it.
Before I took it in though, I marked the fasteners that were necessary to repair it, in such a way, that if they actually disassembled it, it would be noticeable right away.
Three days later the shop called, and told me the truck was ready to go, and the bill was $1400.
When I got there and saw that the truck was still sitting in the exact same parking space, and the front tires were still turned the same way, I grew suspicious.
So I looked carefully at the "supposed" repair.
None of the bolts were even touched, or even had the dirt cleaned off, let alone removed and replaced.
After I showed this to the shop's manager, he didn't know what to say, because it was he that called, and said, that he had inspected the repair personally.
I didn't call him a liar to his face, but he knew he had been caught, because the dealership manager was right there listening to me complain about a bill for a "wall" job.
I never went back.
The dealer also lost the sales of several more new Semi Tractors I purchased elsewhere.
Let the buyer beware is a good thing to remember, where ever you spend your money.
And in your case, I would file a complaint with the zone office.
They have the authority to take a dealership away from someone, should they receive too many complaints about dishonest dealings.

[xtc500]

Have you been burning real cheap gasoline in your car? The charcoal filter is designed to recirculate gas fumes from your gas tank back into the fuel system. If you have been burning cheap gas the charcoal filter may be clogged up.

Sorry for being a smart ***, but I have to say, where do you find cheap gas nowadays?

Thanks for the reply's everyone. Anyone know where the charcoal filter is located on the car? Now that I have the problem diagnosed, could I have my local small repair shop replace it? I don't understand why the check engine light comes on intermitantly with this problem. Is the filter plugged or not? Maybe the problem is really a faulty sensor that detects this problem.

[tacomatrdsport2591]

It's just plain a shame that dealers have garnered the "untrustworthy" label...but they did earn it. It's so stupid...it's rediculous that they'll bend over backwards to get another few bucks from us consumers but they wont bend over backwards to help you with your automobile. I'm so passionate about not trusting dealers and shops that every time I can fix something on my car rather than taking it to a shop I do. Dealers have fried their own asses and hurt themselves, and the trust between them and their customers. Not that I'm saying every car salesman and shop mechanic is a twisted-over theiving a$$hole....but it's pretty durn close. Huff....

[King Kole]

That is great, but when I took it to the Toyota dealership to have it fixed, they wanted to charge me $1200.00 for a new filter and labor! Any idea where I can get it done cheaper r something I can do myself?

[deadrx7conv]

Pull the part from the salvage yard.

IMO, cheap gas is any station not listed as a top-tier gas. Top Tier Gasoline

Learn not to try to 'top off' your tank when filling up. When the pump handle stops, thats it!

[ImaniAbigailWilliams]

A filter containing pulverized charcoal for removing odors, smoke, and vapors from the air. (2) A filter for purifying and cleaning water.

[coal miner]

Does anyone know if they closed down the carola assembly plant in California? And if so where are they building them now? The Charcoal filter on my 06 Salara is under the left from fender & is quite a job to replace. It is something that you don't normally replace. It f8ilters the air going into the fuel tank etc. The filter is a dealer item. Thanks, Coal miner.

[ricksoncasey]

Charcoal filter absorbs the gasoline vapors from the fuel tank when the car is parked. Once you start the car, smoke from carbon container is purged back into the engine and burned.