Vapor canister refill

[Specialk]

Hi Everyone,

Finally getting around to replacing the charcoal in my vapor canister on my 81FI and I was wondering if there are any tricks or issues to watch for? Canister is the "new" style with a hole to empty charcoal out, which I've done. Do I just refill it?

Rgds,

Andrew

[Fiat88]

Tried that approach by refilling it with activated charcoal but the charcoal kept leaking out. Bought a new one off ebay.

[Kent124]

I refilled with no issues. Reinstalled foam through the top access hole. Works great.

[RRoller123]

Does it effect the engine's performance if you just ignore the vapor canister (but keep it hosed up)?

[geecee]

Has anyone ever opened a vapor canister?
The one from my 1980 Spider is "leaking" the activated carbon, and I think there should be some kind of filtering material like foam to hold it in place. I can't find a replacement anywhere and I'm very much tempted to open it....

[Kent124]

The one I refilled was from an 1979. Seems there was foam and a plastic mesh at the top. Using the larger hole at the top of the canister I removed the plastic mesh using needle nose pliers, removed the old charcoal, refilled with charcoal from a pet store, installed new foam at the top to keep it in place, then put the cap back on.

[RRoller123]

I think I may try that. Also, can anyone comment as to whether it would be OK to blow some VERY LOW PRESSURE compressed air back through the tank return line from the canister to see if it is functioning, i.e. not blocked? A helper with safety glasses could listen for the air flow at the gas tank filler.

[geecee]

RR,

I did that just yesterday. I'm in the process of rebuilding the fuel system, so yesterday with the help of my lovely fiancee' Bryan, we blew compressed air in all the disconnetted fuel lines as we took out the filter and pump, and the gas tank before that). Just be carefull as some fuel is going to be in the lines and if anything else is there obstructing them...you need to be very carefull!
Kent,
For the vapor canister, we removed it to blow some air through the line, and it is loosing charcoal from the bottom opening, which unfortunately is at an angle and I can't see if it's supposed to have a foam also. Some of the charcoal came off from the line from the tank too.
I may follow your lead and empty it from the top, so I should be able so see the inside, but if I'll get frustrated I'll cut it. Nowadays you can fix back just anything with ducktape!

[Kent124]

On my car there is a 1-way valve on the vent line under the car near the trunk.

If the purpose of using the "VERY LOW PRESSURE compressed air" is to test that valve I would simply remove the valve and test it by blowing through it.

If you are making sure the hard line is clear I would remove the valve then shoot air back from the canister.

In the event your fuel/vent hoses are old, mine were the originals from 1979, I would simply replace them all.

[Kent124]

I don't recall any foam in the bottom of the canister. My canister has two connections on the bottom in a sort of Tee. The one nearest the firewall wasn't needed since I'm running a DFEV so I simply capped it off. The bottom one nearest the headlights I still have hooked up to the gas tank vent.

[geecee]

Thanks y'all. I think I'll keep messing with it, but I do have a question...what would happen if I bypass it?
I mean, what if I just remove it alltogether and connect the line coming from the gas tank (via the separator and the 2way valve) directly to the engine?

[AVMECH]

not trying to hyjack threat, but also want to know about bypassign it. The nipple on the top of the canister broke off and the line from there to the intake manifold is off. Can I just take off the line from the manifold and cap it?

[gudtimer41]

If you're trying to get the old charcoal out from the top, why not just vacuum it out and dump the new charcoal in? Sure would save a lot of work.

[Tuggertim]

I working in the same issues with my fuel system. What type of charcoal is used? Where can you get it?
Thanks,

Tim

[RRoller123]

It has been written that you can use aquarium charcoal from the pet store.