The Average Cost for Purge Valve Replacement Is Between $109 and $172, Depending on if You Go to the Mechanic or DIY.
This price range is based on national averages for all vehicles and does not factor in taxes, fees, or your particular make and model. Related repairs or maintenance, such as replacing the charcoal canister, replacing cracked EVAP hoses or lines, or reconnecting EVAP hoses. For a more accurate estimate based on your make, model, and location, use the RepairPal Fair Price Estimator.
Cost at the Mechanic: $151 to $172
Parts: $109 to $119
Labor: $42 to $53
The time it takes to replace the purge valve depends on the car and where it’s located. It is more difficult to reach in some cars than others, and some parts may need to be removed in order to get to the purge valve. The average time can range from as little as 15 minutes if it’s located near the engine, to one or two hours for a mechanic if it’s near the gas tank and they have to jack up the car.
Cost to DIY: $109 and $119
- Difficulty Level: Intermediate
- Parts Needed:
If you have experience fixing cars, you can save money by replacing the purge valve yourself as the job isn’t overly complicated and normally doesn’t take very long. Knowing how much it should cost to replace the purge valve and researching where it’s located on your vehicle can help you decide between a DIY repair or bringing it to a mechanic.
Keep in mind: Depending on the year, make, and model of your vehicle, the purge valve can literally be located anywhere from under the hood to behind the rear axle. If you plan to replace your purge valve yourself, be sure to research what you need and choose the right parts to fit your vehicle. When in doubt, always refer to your owner’s manual.
What Is A Purge Valve?
The purge valve is part of the vehicle’s EVAP (or Evaporation Emission Control) system. The valve allows fuel vapors into the canister that stores the extra vapors so they don’t go into the environment. It also sends them back to the engine as needed. The purge valve sits in the vacuum line between the canister and the intake manifold. It opens at certain times to let the manifold draw the fuel vapors in and burn them.
What Does a Purge Valve Replacement Include?
Replacing the purge valve is a simple process and may only involve the one valve. However, once the problem with the valve is diagnosed, you or your mechanic might need to fix additional issues in the EVAP system. The exact procedure is different for each vehicle, but overall, the job is pretty easy.
Once you locate the valve, you might need to remove parts that may be in the way, disconnect the valve from any hoses, and then put the new valve in. If the valve is attached to the fuel tank at the rear of the vehicle, you or the mechanic will need to jack up the rear of the vehicle and remove the tire in order to reach it. While this is not necessarily a lot of work, it adds to the time it takes to complete the task.
While the mechanic has the purge valve off, they should also check the solenoid vapor canister and other parts of the EVAP system.
What Happens If You Don’t Replace the Purge Valve?
Since the purge valve is a part of the emissions system, the biggest problem you’ll see is decreased fuel economy and a check engine light. It’s not necessarily dangerous to drive with the faulty valve, but driving with such a problem for extended periods might allow fuel into the intake system, causing the engine to run rich. If you see black smoke coming from the exhaust, stop driving the vehicle. It can damage the catalytic converter. If you don’t replace the purge valve, some of the OBD2 codes that might come up include:
How Often Should The Purge Valve Be Replaced?
There’s no set schedule for purge valve replacement. It usually lasts for the life of the vehicle, and it’s not a part that commonly fails. In some rare cases, it might fail or get damage and need to be replaced. For more information about the EVAP system, consult your owner’s manual for specific maintenance schedules.
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Common Symptoms That Indicate You Need to Replace Your Purge Valve
- Rough idling or idling at a lower RPM than normal
- Check engine light coming on: The PCM monitors the integrity of the purge and the purge valve. If it detects a problem with the value, it will illuminate the check engine light. In many cases, this is the only clear indication that you have a problem with the purge valve.
- Increased emissions
- Difficulty starting after refueling: If the purge valve is stuck, vapors from the charcoal canister may get into the intake manifold when you put gas in the car. This makes it difficult to start.
- Inefficient engine performance
Related Maintenance Services
The following services are commonly performed with a purge valve replacement:
- Checking the vapor or charcoal canister
- Checking the gas cap
- Checking the fuel tank pressure sensor
- Replacing EVAP system lines and hoses
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