03-06 charcoal canister substitute

GrimLock

GrimLock

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Has anyone ever found a good substitute for the 03-06 charcoal canister located behind the passenger rear tire? The 97-02 guys lucked out with a $60 sub. I've been looking around and there are a few possibilities but I was wondering if anyone ever found one and installed it?
 
GrimLock said:
Has anyone ever found a good substitute for the 03-06 charcoal canister located behind the passenger rear tire? The 97-02 guys lucked out with a $60 sub. I've been looking around and there are a few possibilities but I was wondering if anyone ever found one and installed it?
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Why are you replacing the canister?
 
Im starting the process of diagnosing a P0441 code. I've only had my 04 since October and have been getting random evap codes (small leak types) here and there. I've replaced a few hoses and the crappy locking gas cap. I haven't had a code in a while until last night. I'm not looking to replace the canister but in my research, one of the fixes for the P0441 codes is a new purge valve and/or canister. Once I get into it, I'll be able to determine what needs to be fixed. I wanted to price some things just in case. I can find purge valves all day but the canister is another story. They're crazy expensive. $250-$300+. While looking around, I saw that some folks with the older TJs were able to find a substitute. I looked on here and everywhere else and couldn't see that anyone with the 03-06 TJs have found one. I found this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005P0BPSG?tag=wranglerorg-20 which looks very similar to mine so I might just get this if it does end up being the canister.
 
GrimLock said:
Im starting the process of diagnosing a P0441 code. I've only had my 04 since October and have been getting random evap codes (small leak types) here and there. I've replaced a few hoses and the crappy locking gas cap. I haven't had a code in a while until last night. I'm not looking to replace the canister but in my research, one of the fixes for the P0441 codes is a new purge valve and/or canister. Once I get into it, I'll be able to determine what needs to be fixed. I wanted to price some things just in case. I can find purge valves all day but the canister is another story. They're crazy expensive. $250-$300+. While looking around, I saw that some folks with the older TJs were able to find a substitute. I looked on here and everywhere else and couldn't see that anyone with the 03-06 TJs have found one. I found this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005P0BPSG?tag=wranglerorg-20 which looks very similar to mine so I might just get this if it does end up being the canister.
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It is most likely not the canister.

Before spending the money, an easy way to test the canister is to bypass it. Route the hose that comes from the output port on the purge valve assembly (which goes to the canister) back to the input port on the purge valve assembly.

Clear your code and run it for a while. If the code comes back it is not the canister.

I’ve run mine without a canister for years - no space after the stretch - the ECU can’t tell the difference.
 
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I’ve been chasing a p0441 since I got my 97 TJ… I’ve replaced the purge valve, the charcoal canister, the gas cap and checked all the lines… it only throws it after a long drive at highway speeds and even then it doesn’t happen every time… it drives my OCD crazy!… 🤪
 
97JadeTJ said:
I’ve been chasing a p0441 since I got my 97 TJ… I’ve replaced the purge valve, the charcoal canister, the gas cap and checked all the lines… it only throws it after a long drive at highway speeds and even then it doesn’t happen every time… it drives my OCD crazy!… 🤪
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Mine finally went away with a new gas tank. My best guess is the valves in the original tank were bad.

To OP. I replaced my 97 one with VC120 from AutoZone. But that's round and in the engine bay. Not sure if it will fit the square later size. Good luck with your Amazon find. Hopefully it fits(if you need it)
 
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Does the canister leak charcoal or feel like it has gasoline in it?

After filling the tank do you have a problem with hard starting?

Have you considered doing a smoke test? See here:


Andy
 
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I ran a smoke test, there is a small leak in the hoses above the gas tank. Couldn't exactly tell where though. It's tight in there. I'm going to be doing an LS swap here in a few months. If I keep all of that crap, I'll fix it then. Thanks for all of the advice!
 
I've seen people talk about just making their own. I think they just use a random container and activated charcoal or something
 
NashvilleTJ said:
I’ve run mine without a canister for years - no space after the stretch
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That's not true. There is more than plenty of room.
DSC02201.JPG
 
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I had a difficult time with the canister and valve on my 97 wrangler. I couldn't pass smog because it kept throwing up the codes. I replaced the canister or the valve and then I had to replace them again, because one had made the new one bad. I had to go to a STAR repair station for weeks. Finally, I took it to my regular mechanic and he fixed it. I ended up spending about $500 or more just trying to pass smog. That was a nightmare.
 
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After reading several post about bypassing the canister, I removed the canister last night and connected the hose from the gas tank directly to the top port on the purge valve… we shall see if it works..
 
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NashvilleTJ said:
It is most likely not the canister.

Before spending the money, an easy way to test the canister is to bypass it. Route the hose that comes from the output port on the purge valve assembly (which goes to the canister) back to the input port on the purge valve assembly.

Clear your code and run it for a while. If the code comes back it is not the canister.

I’ve run mine without a canister for years - no space after the stretch - the ECU can’t tell the difference.
Click to expand...

I was curious if bypassing was possible. Guess I don’t understand the system enough to know. Seems like all it does is store vapors out of the tank and then route them to the engine on next start up.
 
97JadeTJ said:
After reading several post about bypassing the canister, I removed the canister last night and connected the hose from the gas tank directly to the top port on the purge valve… we shall see if it works..
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Works and legal might be two different things, especially in a concerned state like California. If your toenail is out of alignment in Cali, you get cited.
 
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ChasUGC said:
Works and legal might be two different things, especially in a concerned state like California. It your toenail is out of alignment in Cali, you get cited.
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Not entirely true. Just depends on the day. One I did just passed smog easily. Fuel tank behind the seat, charcoal canister beside tank, LDP on back of front fender, non stock gas cap location. The only issue we had was having to run and overhead loop for the vent to keep fuel out of the LDP.
 
mrblaine said:
Not entirely true. Just depends on the day. One I did just passed smog easily. Fuel tank behind the seat, charcoal canister beside tank, LDP on back of front fender, non stock gas cap location. The only issue we had was having to run and overhead loop for the vent to keep fuel out of the LDP.
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Some sites will pass you. But, Star Smog is normally more difficult. They are closely monitored and it is a point system. My mechanic was Star certified until they started trying to help people. They lost points and their Star certification. They are trying to get it back. California will sometimes require you to go to a Star certified station. It appears on your registration notification. So, that Star Certification is coveted at a lot of these repair shops and they will look at you strange if you ask them to "help you out". It's getting more and more difficult. Maybe where you live in California can affect it.
 
ChasUGC said:
Some sites will pass you. But, Star Smog is normally more difficult. They are closely monitored and it is a point system. My mechanic was Star certified until they started trying to help people. They lost points and their Star certification. They are trying to get it back. California will sometimes require you to go to a Star certified station. It appears on your registration notification. So, that Star Certification is coveted at a lot of these repair shops and they will look at you strange if you ask them to "help you out". It's getting more and more difficult. Maybe where you live in California can affect it.
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There was no reason for them to fail it other than stock location of some stuff and the stuff we moved is normally hidden. No smog shop pulls the wheel liners to see if the charcoal canister is stock, even there, or has been modified. Same with that whole emissions group. The only giveaway is the location of the gas filler neck but even in a different location, it still looks stock. The gas tank is hidden in plain sight.
 
mrblaine said:
There was no reason for them to fail it other than stock location of some stuff and the stuff we moved is normally hidden. No smog shop pulls the wheel liners to see if the charcoal canister is stock, even there, or has been modified. Same with that whole emissions group. The only giveaway is the location of the gas filler neck but even in a different location, it still looks stock. The gas tank is hidden in plain sight.
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Yeah, I think the main issue is whether it passes emissions and whether any codes pop up. When that happens, you have to get it repaired by a certified Star shop and then you can get a waiver if it still can't be fixed for under a certain amount of money. But, it's not easy. I really went through it, but I stayed determined to get rid of all my codes, and pass smog. I love my Jeep and now she loves me back. Great acceleration, no codes, no problems and fully legal. I like it like that.
 
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