Evap system problems--clean or replace?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by RanchPrius, Oct 13, 2022.

  1. RanchPrius

    RanchPrius New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2022
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    Location:
    Northern Nevada
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I have a 2015 Prius II with 145,000 miles on it. I live in a very remote area, and every time I leave home, I drive 10 miles out on a dirt road to the highway and then 10 miles back on the dirt road on the way back. So that’s a LOT of dust.

    I am savvy about many practical subjects, but cars are not one of them. So, though I don't love spending a pile on the car, it's the literal price to pay for not being able to do my own work. Still, it's probably a good idea to post here to double check that I’m not about to get ripped off.

    The issue: I’m having problems adding gas to the car.

    About a year and a half ago, I had the same problem. I searched the web to see if I could learn about it, saw that the vapor-something tube was probably clogged with dust. Told the guys at the shop this. Instead of investigating my suggestion, they replaced the charcoal canister for $800 and said it checked out. Two days later, I needed to gas the car, and…yup. Still didn't like to take gas.

    I should mention I’m 200 miles from the shop. So I made another appointment, went back, and this time they replaced the vapor tube for $500 (I’m sorry—I wish I could remember the name of the thing), and gassing the car has been successful until now. But you can see why I’m mistrustful.

    So the problem is back. No shocker, as I’ve experienced 18 months of dust since then!

    Now, after a $165 diagnostic, they say, “evap air filter system is clogged with dirt…recommend replacing air filter and hose then recheck.” They’ve ordered a new “charcoal can filter” and a new “fuel hose sub-assy.”

    Does this sound right? Are these parts that can be cleaned, or will they just need to be REPLACED every year and a half?
     
    #1 RanchPrius, Oct 13, 2022
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    11,741
    2,078
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    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Save your old parts make them give you what they take out and tell them not to destroy it then you take it home and you look through the tubes and what have you and you see if you see any dust or any of that nonsense going on you want to see for yourself you can clean the tubes and the hoses out with water and dawn whatever any one way valves you can blow through one way and not the other No they're orientation I doubt that this stuff is just clogging up every 18 months down a dirt road on a construction site possibly a regular dirt road rock whatever like a driveway I can't believe it All these myriad of five and $600 parts and $165 hoses I don't think so I would have to have my old back so I could clean them and put them back into service if this is really happening but I don't think so these cars can be hard to gas if you're trying to NASCAR them for sure
     
    #2 Tombukt2, Oct 13, 2022
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