Beware charcoal canister breakdown!

[GOLDCYLON]

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

If it is working correctly.. then yes, no gas fume smeel

Mines stinky as well. im betting 20 years is about max life on these canisters. Fuel vapors are one of the first indicators Ive been told. 2nd indicator would be the charcoal in the line like Andrew had seen.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Wow, something else I have to think about. Good info and Dynomite solutions for this post.

I am waiting on all my emssions parts to put back so I can pass the Japan testing. Does this have any effect related with emissions too?

[mike100]

Originally Posted by HAWAIIZR-1

Wow, something else I have to think about. Good info and Dynomite solutions for this post.

I am waiting on all my emissions parts to put back so I can pass the Japan testing. Does this have any effect related with emissions too?

Back in the day, evaporative emissions accounted or 20% of all pollution (unburned gasoline evap'ed into the atmosphere). Basically there is a 1-way check valve between the tank vent and the charcoal can, the sealed gas cap, and a purge solenoid which vents the tank expansion fumes into the running engine. The charcoal canister is in there like a catch can to moderate the fumes from condensing in the wrong place I think. The purge is off and sealed tight when the engine is off.

you can pass the sniffer without it, buit it has to be there for visual in my state- plus they test the tank integrity by clamping off the purge vent and pressurizing the tank...then they test the cap separately.

[ittlfly]

As I recall, the one way check valve opens @ .7 lbs pressure allowing the fumes from the tank to pass to the canister. The ECM commands the purge valve to open between the intake and canister when certain peramiters are met thereby purging the canister..

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Thanks for the explanation and good to know. I will try to check more into how detailed the inspection is. Surely don't want to fail as the testing is $2300 US; not sure what it cost to retest yet.

Craig

[VetteMed]

It took me over an hour today to get the lines unblocked from all of the charcoal pellets - I strongly recommend canister replacement as preventative maintenance, to avoid the fun I had today (and the expense of a new purge solenoid!)

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by VetteMed

It took me over an hour today to get the lines unblocked from all of the charcoal pellets - I strongly recommend canister replacement as preventative maintenance, to avoid the fun I had today (and the expense of a new purge solenoid!)

So you think this more a time versus mileage thing as our cars are over 20 years old? I notice your car has 189K....WOW. I'll think I'll do this when I have the car up on the lift to replace the headers. Thanks again for sharing.

[VetteMed]

Hard to say, really... it's a non-wear item (no moving parts), so that leads me to believe it's more age related than mileage related, if I had to guess.

[VetteMed]

UPDATE: The Standard Motor Products canister is the OEM Rochester unit, with a GM part number on it. No reason to waste money on the Delco can.

[GOLDCYLON]

Originally Posted by VetteMed

UPDATE: The Standard Motor Products canister is the OEM Rochester unit, with a GM part number on it. No reason to waste money on the Delco can.

My Standard Part Number PF 1031 canister came in from Rock Auto today it is also stamped Rochester on the top. Just FYI. Thanks for the tip again Andrew.