So I bought a used charcoal canister for $15 on ebay, I put in my car with high hopes and it is far worse than the one I currently have (causing major pain and time pumping gas). My question is can I rebuild the canister to save some money? I know you can buy the charcoal at petco for fish tanks, and I know it's possible on other cars, but as far as audis go is it possible? The charcoal should be easy to get but would I need all new filters or could I just blow/clean them out?

 

Interesting question. I've never heard of anyone trying before, but I don't see why it wouldn't work? Only concern I would have is that the fish tank charcoal isn't the same as what's in the canister originally. Sounds silly, but our cars also use special coolant and special power steering fluid, so it's definitely not out of the realm of possibility...

 

**** it, delete it and live with the smell of gas

I highly doubt your going to open up the charcoal canister, dump in some fish tank mojo and have a working canister.

Essentially, if all charcoal canisters are created equal, not 100% sure if they are, you could get one from another car(find a cheap new one), and just hook it up. Theres no electronics to fiddle with its just hoses.

 

Well I got a completely dead one for $15, and the charcoal costs about $10, so I'm gunna try it and hope for the best. There are tons of DIY for corvettes, jeeps, and bmws so it's worth a try!

 

any progress on the charcoal canister