Charcoal in the vacuum system?

bobbyc1658 · 07-20-2009, 09:24 PM

I just tried to change the vacuum check valve on my 97 Dodge 1500 and found charcoal residue. Checked out the cannister under the driver side and found it had come all apart inside. What can I do to get the charcoal out of the system? Is there a way to flush the system? Originaal problem was tthe a/c blew only through the defrost and floor vents. Began to look at check valve as solution and found this. HELP!

gmctrucks · 07-21-2009, 12:58 AM

Welcome and howdy from TEXAS. I have no idea how to get rid of it sorry. Might buy a new canister or try Pick-A-Part.
Good luck! GMC

bradrhale · 07-21-2009, 06:42 AM

wowsers. seems like i have seen a thread identical to this somewhere. might do a thread search on it.

leolkfrm · 07-21-2009, 06:47 AM

Yes Brad i think someone had this about six months ago, i believe they changed a lot of the smaller tubes and cleaned the larger ones

jimbo543 · 07-22-2009, 02:21 AM

check with dealer for recall

bobbyc1658 · 07-22-2009, 10:14 AM

Thanks for all the replies. I guess there is no easy way to clean the lines and valves. Just wondered if a solvent of any kind could be used?

bradrhale · 07-22-2009, 11:29 AM

you can try using a solvent but for the cost of new lines, the work is not really worth it. vac line is cheap if you by it by a roll and just cut to fit. quick and easy doing it one line at a time.

Dash · 08-01-2009, 10:50 AM

I had this same problem on a Toyota -- the charcoal canister was slowly self-destructing. I used a copper wire to clean some of the hoses but I still had to replace some of the hoses. I used a variety of cleaners with not very good results to try and clean the passages.

07-20-2009, 09:24 PM	#1
bobbyc1658 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 2	Charcoal in the vacuum system? I just tried to change the vacuum check valve on my 97 Dodge 1500 and found charcoal residue. Checked out the cannister under the driver side and found it had come all apart inside. What can I do to get the charcoal out of the system? Is there a way to flush the system? Originaal problem was tthe a/c blew only through the defrost and floor vents. Began to look at check valve as solution and found this. HELP!

07-21-2009, 06:47 AM	#4
leolkfrm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.Y. Posts: 4,298	Yes Brad i think someone had this about six months ago, i believe they changed a lot of the smaller tubes and cleaned the larger ones __________________ 4 wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul B.W.A.I

07-22-2009, 10:14 AM	#6
bobbyc1658 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 2	Charcoal in the system Thanks for all the replies. I guess there is no easy way to clean the lines and valves. Just wondered if a solvent of any kind could be used?

08-01-2009, 10:50 AM	#8
Dash Full Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Francisco Posts: 14	I had this same problem on a Toyota -- the charcoal canister was slowly self-destructing. I used a copper wire to clean some of the hoses but I still had to replace some of the hoses. I used a variety of cleaners with not very good results to try and clean the passages. __________________ '71 Cadillac Eldorado convertible '71 Karmann Ghia convertible '89 Dodge W150 4x4 '92 Acura Legend '02 Dodge Quadcab 4x4

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07-21-2009, 12:58 AM	#2
gmctrucks Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 4,027	Welcome and howdy from TEXAS. I have no idea how to get rid of it sorry. Might buy a new canister or try Pick-A-Part. Good luck! GMC

07-21-2009, 06:42 AM	#3
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,003	wowsers. seems like i have seen a thread identical to this somewhere. might do a thread search on it.

07-22-2009, 02:21 AM	#5
jimbo543 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: MN Posts: 205	check with dealer for recall

07-22-2009, 11:29 AM	#7
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,003	you can try using a solvent but for the cost of new lines, the work is not really worth it. vac line is cheap if you by it by a roll and just cut to fit. quick and easy doing it one line at a time.

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