PCV Valve now the canister.......

[BigRogers]

First off thanks for all the great info i have gathered around the site, been helpful in more way than one!

I took my 01' into the Toyota service shop last week as my check engine light had been on for a little over a month (it had come on once before and turned it self off after a week or so of driving). There diagnosis was the PVC valve needed to be replaced. So i had them do the work, as well as replace both valve cover gaskets as well (those had been leaking for a while)....may have been able to do the work on my own but i don't really have the time lately to do it.

So get the rig back end of the week and went on my way. Driving home last night my check engine light, VSC and Trac light lights all come back on. Take it back into the shop and now they are telling me it is the canister causing the issue.

So my first question is: is there any way to tell if the PVC Valve has actually gone bad or is it simply a guess that the problem is coming from there.

Secondly, what grounds to i stand on to get the canister at a discounted rate/and/or free labor since they may have not diagnosed the problem correctly the first go round.
Lastly, what would you do if you are in my situation.......:thanks:

 

[brian2sun]

PCV valves are only about $12-15 and they take less than 10 seconds to install so if they did improperly diagnose it, you won't stand to get very much $ back. The PCV valve can be tested by pulling it out and shaking it. There is a little ball inside of it that should bounce around freely. If you can't hear it when you shake it, the valve is shot.

I would also ask for a clear diagnosis and the ressons why the canister is now the suspect because they are expensive to replace. aybe get a 2nd opinion too.

 

[simmonsauto]

Having worked at a toyota dealership i know what you're going through.. I would honestly recommend going somewhere else. Dealerships commonly take the "shotgun" approach to fixing cars for multiple reasons. Find a reputable independant shop and tell them your situation. You might get lucky and they'll diagnose it for free just to spite the dealership and gain your business.

 

[simmonsauto]

For what its worth if theyre telling you the cause of mil on is the canister ill assume theyre seeing a p0466 for the evap system. I used to see alot of vsv solenoids above the spare tire fail. You should be able to hear an audible click when you command it on with a scanner. if not, replace it. Theyre just shootin in the dark it sounds like.. (and so am i.. lol)

 

[TheDurk]

All good advice above. If it were mine, I'd first find out the DTC that was thrown or get it scanned elsewhere. Then I'd check the FSM to see the suggested diagnostic approach. This is a radical, innovative approach and I am probably the first to ever use it, but I have had some success with it.