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Estimates last updated January 28, 2026

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Get a fair price estimate on Purge Valve Replacement in your area - honored at RepairPal Certified locations.

Purge Valve Replacement

What is a canister purge valve?

The purge valve allows stored fuel vapors in the charcoal containment canister to be sent back into the engine to be burned when necessary.

How does the purge valve work?

The purge valve is located in the vacuum line between the fuel vapor containment canister and the intake manifold. It opens at specific times to let fuel vapors stored in the canister be drawn into the intake manifold and burned as part of the combustion process. On most vehicles, the canister purge valve is computer-controlled.

The most common symptom of a defective canister purge valve is an illuminated Check Engine Light triggered by one or more evaporative system codes. Usually, there are no noticeable engine performance symptoms associated with a defective canister purge valve.

What are the symptoms of a bad purge valve?

The most common symptom of a defective purge valve is an illuminated check engine light. Usually, there are no noticeable engine performance symptoms associated with a defective canister purge valve. However, in some cases, black smoke may be seen coming from the exhaust.

Toyota RAV4 Purge Valve Replacement Cost by Year

The average cost for a Toyota RAV4 Purge Valve Replacement is between $186 and $212 but can vary from car to car.

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Toyota Purge Valve Replacement Cost Estimates

The average cost for a Purge Valve Replacement is between $186 and $212 but can vary from car to car.

Disclaimer

Materials Included Under License from Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. License Agreement TMS1008. All information contained in any materials obtained about Toyota, Lexus, and Scion vehicles is based on the latest product information available at the time of publication, is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind, and is intended for service providers and other interested parties in Canada, Mexico, and the United States of America, including Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Specifications and procedures are subject to change without notice. This information is provided expressly for the purpose of use by professional automobile technicians who have special techniques and certifications. Repair or service by non-specialized or uncertified technicians using only this information, or without proper equipment or tools, may cause severe injury to the individual or other individuals and could possibly cause damage to the vehicle. Certain procedures or content elements may make reference to Toyota Warranty policy or practice – these policies or practices are only applicable to Toyota, Lexus, or Scion dealers.

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Purge Valve Replacement

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What is a canister purge valve?

The purge valve allows stored fuel vapors in the charcoal containment canister to be sent back into the engine to be burned when necessary.

How does the purge valve work?

What are the symptoms of a bad purge valve?

Toyota RAV4 Purge Valve Replacement Cost

The average cost for a Toyota RAV4 Purge Valve Replacement is between $186 and $212.

Labor costs are estimated between $49 and $72 while parts are priced between $138 and $141.
This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.
For a more accurate estimate based on your location, use our Fair Price Estimator below.

Can I drive with a canister purge valve problem?

You should be able to drive a vehicle with a faulty canister purge valve. But a faulty valve can allow raw fuel to enter the intake system cause the engine to run “rich” — this will result in black smoke coming from the exhaust. If you see this, the vehicle should not be driven because the catalytic convertor could get damaged.

How often do purge valves need to be replaced?

There's no set replacement schedule for the purge valve, and it's not a part that fails commonly.

How are purge valve issues diagnosed?

A faulty canister purge valve is usually diagnosed from a fault code stored when the check engine light turns on. The valve will be checked to make sure it's able to open and close correctly. If it's working, the part that controls the valve will also be checked.

Evaporative system diagnosis can be difficult and trouble codes can be triggered by sensors and components other than the canister purge valve.

How is a canister purge valve replaced?

The valve's location depends on the make and model of the car. Any items blocking access to it will need to be removed. The valve is then disconnected from its mount, hoses disconnected, and the new valve is installed. Any hoses or other related parts should be inspected and replaced or repaired as necessary.

We recommend using a factory canister purge valve replacement part and checking for any applicable software updates for the power train control module (PCM).