i have a 2000 ford ranger and i took it to autozone because the check engine light came on. the reading said large leak in EVAP system. i checked the fuel cap but i dont know what else it would be. other causes could be EVAP canister broke, hose craked or not connected. Purge or vent solenoid defective or vacuum leak at engine. what are these things?

Im pretty sure the canister is on the passenger side down low and looks like a toilet ball float. There are vacuum lines that run to and from it. You can follow a line from there to the collector (might have that name wrong) in the back of your truck above the spare tire. See if you can find any lines that are disconnected or cracked.

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01 XLT 4x4, 4.0, 4.10 LS, Auto, 32's for summer, Toolbox, E-Fan

I had the same reading on my 2001. Took it to a shop and had a smoke test done. found the leak in seconds. I am replacing my cansiter , had a hole on top. Costing me less than $ 150. Everything.

The ball in the front isn't the Evap canister. Pretty sure that's back near the gas tank. The 'Deathstar' as my wife calls it is the vacuum accumulator.

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2000 Ford Ranger XLT
Extended Cab
3.0 Flex
4x4
Manual Transmission
Offroad Package