This may be a dumb question, but what is a charcoal canister. I have never heard of those before. Is it like the catalyst converter? Also, how do you know when it is going out. I am having a burning smell sometimes around 4-5k rpm. I was told possible catalyst converter. Just wondering.

Thanks

I have no idea what a charcoal canister is. Unfortunately I have to report I own a 2004 Scion xA (auto) that was used as a demo vehicle at Scion Carlsbad. I bought the car w/ 2,000 miles on it. No modifications have been made other than LCD lights in my cup holders.

I just hit 50,000 and I had to repair & replace the following:

My water pump

My alternator

My drive belts

Additionally I had metal fatigue on my interior driver door panel and a large chunk of metal FELL OFF and got stuck in my door.

I went to Mossy Toyota & everything was fixed for $275, thank goodness I bought an extended warranty.

Talking with the techs I discovered these repairs are highly unusual. I was honest that I have been a bit rough on my car & run the AC a lot. They insured me there was nothing I could've done to cause these repairs.

I was worried I was being taken advantage of for being a young female with limited car knowledge, but my car literally sounded like Chewy when I brought it in.

Perhaps it was because I have a first year & first model scion, but I feel doubtful now about the vehicle's longevity.

Helpful hints?

Thanks for hearing my sob story.

I don't know exactly what the charcoal canister does, except it has something to do with the fuel system. The reason I knew I had to replace it was because of a check engine light that said my EVAP system failed. I forget the exact code but the guys at Autozone let me borrow the OBDII scanner and I just looked up the code on the internet.

The guys at the dealership replaced it for free since the car was still under warranty so I was happy.

Tyrone

Janafer, Sorry about your xA. I would see where you would be concerned. Good thing you did buy the extended warranty. Maybe they got the bugs worked out for you.

Thanks USC. Just kind of wondering because everyone that has posted has had to have it replaced. :nails: Thanks for letting me know about the light. Thats probably not it whats going on with mine then. Mine is a faint burning smell sometimes when I get above 4-5k rpms. I had an extended warranty, that is until I purchased another vehicle at my bank. They offered to give me a lower interest rate and shorten the term to pay it off quicker for about the same price. Long story short, refinancing canceled extended warranty and gap insurance. Sorry I did that. Lol.

Good thing you got all that maintenence done.

I'd recommend going with/sticking with a good Synthetic engine Oil ! :bow:
Its not that much more $$ over traditional oil , and you can go 5-6K per oil change(ie. Mobil 1, or Castol Syntec). The synthetic oil + factory filter = about $30 This is also a job/maintanence that you can EASILY do yourself.

The charcoal canister stores gasoline vapors making them available to be burned off by the engine when introduced into the engine by the purge control valve. In the big picture, this should reduce the hydrocarbons released into the air from the engine.

Hope this helps...

95,000!!!!
 

I have more than 95,000 on my 2004 xA.

Had it tuned up once.

Have gotten new tires twice (one set now on my 17s for summer and one set for the other)

Otherwise I'm still getting between 33 and 36MPG.

Am I the leader in xA mileage?? I should get something from SCION!!!!!

w00t!!!!

i'm @ 23,500 now.

I am now at 18,500 miles. Charcoal canister replaced, rattling cruise control cables, ( improperly installed by SE Toyota Distributors), and squeeking drive belts replaced, all done quickly and hassle free under warranty by my dealers excellent service dept. I still love and recommend this little car to everyone!!! Wish it was still in production; however, the new xD is growing on me. I have seen one in every color, and the Barcelona red is my favorite, followed by the Super white.

2006, bought it it Feb and I have 5,000 on it.

Although it was new as a 'Scion' our car has history in Japan as the IST. Also, it's part of a decent sized flatform family, including the Echo, IST, Vitz, Bb, xB, oh and now in South America, the Toyota xA!?!

The point is, we didn't get a first-model-year car (like the new xB & xD owners), so we _shouldn't_ have the problems associated with them. Thanks Toyota for rebranding!!!

__________________

Oh yeah, and 22K miles - oil change every 3, and no repairs (aside from a couple rattles)

Bout 9,500 miles. I will have had my xA for a year in Nov.

29k on an 05.
Idle air control valve had to be replaced.
Under warranty.

damn. i wanted to put no more than 10000 miles a year on it but i can't help it. i love the drive in this car. i plan on drivin it to florida and possibly california next year.

I will be over 10k in November. Drive, drive, drive! I take these 50 to 100 mile trips all over so-cal almost every weekend for meets and shows.

Man I put 14k on mine in under six months. I guess its partly due to my 50 mile round trip for work. That and I drive it everywhere.

I know how you feel, I only wanted to put 10k on mine too. 100mi round trip to work. Had it 6 mo. and put 16k on it and it was in the body shop 1 mo of that. Man.

Thanks everyone for your replies. Good to know.

57K on my 03 IST.

I have an 05 with 18,600K on it.. and no prob so far!! :pray: