charcoal grilled?

[WCB]

We are new owners of a 98 QX4 with 95k on it. The MIL lit and my generic scanner kicked out P 1444 code - EVAP Purge solenoid. I did a quick check and had positive pressure at the fuel tank cap. Also I had 11.4v to the connector but when it was applied to the control the valve it did not open and pass air. My wife took it to the dealer and she was told there was charcoal throughout the system and all the controls and cannister would need replaced and the lines cleared. Is it possible for the cannister to lose it's charcoal into the system and if so what would cause it?

[mister2nr]

I've seen it happen so yes its possible for it to break apart inside the canister and clog up the lines and some of the solenoids. I don't know the exact reason of why because there are a few different ways for it to happen. Best thing to do is replace the canister, vent control valve, and the purge solenoid in the front of the car and shoot some compressed air through the lines.

[WCB]

Thanks for the feedback. Much more affordable, and reasonable, than the other option I was offered.

[mister2nr]

Its a fairly simple thing to do actually. If you have the tools and the know how around a car you should be able to do it yourself. But if you don't have access to compressed air then its not so you can clear the lines haha. It always helps having a garage with an air compressor in your backyard.

[WCB]

I pulled everything apart and found 2 broken bolts on the canister and 1 on the mount plate. The local (?) Infiniti dealer had the canister on the shelf (usually means they replace a lot of them). The valves I found were all electrcally sound and serviceable. The vent control vale was stuck closed so a little persuasion and WD 40 freed it up. I was able to disassemble the purge and vacuum cut by-pass valves, clear them. clean the seats as you would an IAC, and re- assemble them. They all work on the bench and it saved about $275. I do have a compressor so the lines weren't much of a problem to clear. I covered the ends with an old piece of pantyhose to see how much was in the lines and found the purge line was the worst and only minor debris in the lines to the tank. The water separator and atmospheric vent were also clear.

My next question is would the installation of a small filter, such as a fuel line filter from a motorcycle, restrict the flow to the point of setting a light? It seems that it would be much better to stop the charcoal from getting into the lines than doing all the other service. at least from a consumer standpoint. The dealer estimated 2 days and $1800 for the job.

[WCB]

Update on clearing the lines. It seems I was premature in thinking my lines were cleared. I didn't think to lower the pressure on my compressor and hit the lines with 100 psi. I thought the purge line was cleared but it turns out I had blown the tubing off at the connection in the right wheel well. The charcoal in the pantyhose was just what had fallen out. After re-checking the line, all the others were OK, I found it to be still blocked. It took a few hours of poking a length of wire into the clog to finally get it cleared. I can't find anything else wrong so I 'll just have to wait until it runs it's diagnostics to be sure and minitor the readiness with my code reader.

Thanks again for the help.