Charcoal Canister

[TheBALDpuma]

My EML came on a few days ago and I dropped it at a local garage today. They've told me it's a charcoal canister that has got to the end of its useful life and needs replacing. Apparently 2 - 2.5 hours work and a few hundred £££ for the part. Total quote is £483.  Feels a lot - is this normal?

[TheBALDpuma]

Looking on the internet it seems the part is under £100 and fitting is a super quick job. I'm sure the guy on the phone said it was a long job because they had to take some bits of to get to something (I should pay more attention).  Could there be a longer job around the same problem (definitely mentioned evap and charcoal canister)

[Clarkj93]

Not done it myself but looks dead easy to fit, easy to access too and pretty sure the part is around 100 quid. Should find out what the error code is or what it says. Sounds like you're being taken for a ride or you've misunderstood them.

[coolhandluke]

I had the same issue when I had my MK5, I took a punt on a Chinese charcoal cannister and it worked fine. EML light went out after I fitted it. It took 5 mins to fit so I've no idea what your garage is taking about. I'd avoid them.

[TheBALDpuma]

It's a garage I've used before and have been fine, and a garage that's been recommended in here before too.  I'm going to ring them in the morning and see what they've got to say about it.

Did anyone know where I can get a genuine part price from. When I Google the part number is only eBay stuff I can see

zsb 1ko 201 801 e

[Clarkj93]

It's a garage I've used before and have been fine, and a garage that's been recommended in here before too.  I'm going to ring them in the morning and see what they've got to say about it.

Did anyone know where I can get a genuine part price from. When I Google the part number is only eBay stuff I can see

zsb 1ko 201 801 e

Call up VW parts and they'll tell you the price of it.

[pudding]

2.5 hours work? 

I don't think they even lifted the bonnet and just assumed it's buried at the back near the fuel tank like most other cars.  Utterly ridiculous to charge any more than 30 mins labour for that job.

The can itself was about £120 from VW when I got one.

[TheBALDpuma]

So they've said that a load of pipes and valves needed all changing because the canister has been superseded. I've spoken to VW and apparently that's only on an audi. And your right £120 from VW.

[bobby_fodge]

I had the same issue when I had my MK5, I took a punt on a Chinese charcoal cannister and it worked fine. EML light went out after I fitted it. It took 5 mins to fit so I've no idea what your garage is taking about. I'd avoid them.

This is also what I did. My cheap ebay cannister has been on the car for maybe three years now with no issues, cost me about £20 for the part.

[TheBALDpuma]

eBay canister is an option - but - I'd rather have an OEM one and peace of mind, even though it's loads more expensive.

The way I feel about Chinese eBay specials is that it's a bit of pot luck. You might get lucky and all is fine. But equally you might not. So you pays your money and you takes your chances.

[mjmallia]

I recall getting quite a late second hand one from a Sirocco 2013 if I recall and fitted that........been fine since.

A very quick and easy change

[pudding]

eBay canister is an option - but - I'd rather have an OEM one and peace of mind, even though it's loads more expensive.

The way I feel about Chinese eBay specials is that it's a bit of pot luck. You might get lucky and all is fine. But equally you might not. So you pays your money and you takes your chances.

Yeah exactly.  I don't put cheap crap on cars that I do 20K+ miles a year in    There is absolutely no way on earth the Chinese canisters use the same quality activated charcoal pellets as VAG do in theirs.

[TheBALDpuma]

Any recommendations for an OBD reader? Could have saved myself some hassle

[akbarirfan]

Surely it's just a case of pulling the cannister off the braket by the drivers side headlight, undo the 2 or so hose clamps and switching out the cannisters.

[pudding]

Any recommendations for an OBD reader? Could have saved myself some hassle

Plenty of generic ones to choose from, but none of them can read fault codes or live data properly, except OBD11.

If you only intend on scanning a maximum of 3 VAG cars, my recommendation is VCDS enthusiast @ $199 - https://store.ross-tech.com/shop/vchv2_ent/