How Much Does a Purge Valve Replacement Cost?
The canister purge valve is responsible for storing fuel vapors inside of a containment canister as it recycles it back into the engine combustion process when necessary.
Located in the vacuum line between the fuel vapor containment canister and the intake manifold, this part can either be controlled electronically or can be vacuum operated, which allows it to open at the appropriate time to allow these vapors, stored inside of the container, to be drawn into the intake manifold and then burned as part of the combustion process. Most of your newer models, however, will be controlled and monitored by a computer.
How much does a canister purge valve replacement cost?
On average, a purge valve replacement can cost anywhere from $125 to $225 if you were to hire a professional mechanic. The parts, depending on the car you drive, can be priced between $65 to 125, while the labor, which takes less than an hour to complete, will be anywhere from $40 to $85.
For example, on Amazon.com, the best selling canister purge valve parts can retail for about $20 to $50.
On this Audizine.com forum thread, a member was quoted $210 at a local Audi dealer, while another member said he was quoted $120.
Refer to our table below to see what it may cost for a particular make and model:
| Car's Make/Model | Price Average (parts+repair) |
|---|---|
| Ford Escape | $155 to $210 |
| Ford Focus | $115 to $175 |
| Hyundai Accent | $125 to $225 |
| Hyundai Santa Fe | $135 to $175 |
| VW Jetta | $120 to $175 |
Canister purge valve replacement overview
To confirm the part is, indeed, faulty, the mechanic will first want to look at the engine’s fault codes. If your engine light has illuminated and the fault code matches the diagnosis, then he or she will visually check the canister purge line to test the flow and seal.
During the repair, depending on the car you drive, the canister purge valve will first be located. In most case, it will be either near the intake manifold or the engine compartment. To access this part, other items blocking access will have to be removed in order to gain access to it. Once accessed, the part will be taken off its mount and the hoses will be disconnected. The new valve will then be replaced, followed by attaching the hoses and electrical connectors in reverse order. When done, the car will be inspected again and turned on to test the new parts performance.
The whole process should take less than 45 minutes.
What are the extra costs?
The hoses and/or electrical connector that is attached to the valves may need to be replaced if faulty or in need of repair. These parts often won’t be included in the estimates we mentioned above.
Tips to know
To know if the part went bad, there are a few things to look out for. For starters, the most common symptom will be an illuminated “check engine” light, triggered by the appropriate fault code. Usually, no engine symptoms will be noticed while driving, but in some cases, black smoke may emit from the exhaust. Other common symptoms, according to YourMechanic, may include an engine that refuses to turn over right after refueling or an engine that idling rough.
In most cases, you can drive a car with a faulty canister purge valve, but if you notice black smoke coming from the exhaust, this can damage the catalytic converter due to raw fuel entering the intake system.
How can I save money?
If your check engine light is on, go to a local AutoZone to have them scan your code for free. From there, you can research the code in depth to see what the repair should cost you.
Talk with at least three mechanics in your area. If you know for sure this is, indeed, the issue, then most mechanics should be able to offer you a ballpark estimate over the phone.
If your car is still under warranty, refer to your warranty paperwork to see if the part will be covered. In most cases, you will only be responsible for your warranty’s deductible.
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Average Reported Cost: $301.88
How much did you spend?
- Amy (Woodridge, Illinois) paid $310 and said:
Cost of purge solenoid valve replacement $309.95 (parts & labor)
Was it worth it? Yes
- Miao (Charlottesville, Virginia) paid $330 and said:
It is too expensive
Was it worth it? Yes
- Alicia (Humble, Texas) paid $450 and said:
I probably should of shopped around but I went to the dealership and they charged me and arm and a leg to get it fixed.
Was it worth it? Yes
- Karri (Troy, Michigan) paid $265 and said:
I went to the dealership which is why I was overcharged.
Was it worth it? Yes
- Lynn (Dubuque, Iowa) paid $100 and said:
Quoted $164.10 but extended warranty covered all but my deductible.
Was it worth it? Yes
- Jim (Eden Prairie, Minnesota) paid $450 and said:
Ford Dealership repaired.
Was it worth it? Yes
- Patrick Gaffney (Toms River, New Jersey) paid $200 and said:
Was it worth it? Yes
- Kathy (Cottonwood, Arizona) paid $310 and said:
I guess it was worth it. With Extended Warranty my cost was $110. 8/27/19
Was it worth it? Yes
