Charcoal Canister

[dele30]

I was just wondering if I would be able to use the stock e30 charcoal canister with the 93 m50 that I'm using. I really don't have any understanding on the fuel system with this swap. I have the 3 lines that run from the tank. Would it work if I ran the one line that pumps fuel to the front of the fuel rail, then leave the one line that runs to the canister, then the other outlet of the canister to the throttle body. then the last line to the back of the fuel rail.

[Mako18]

Thats how I did mine. I am pretty sure the purpose for the charcoal canister is to safely dispose of the very flamable and unstable fuel vapor in the tank its constantly building pressure sloshing around and sitting in the heat. Obviously you can't just vent the fuel vapor because it would be a major fire hazard or bomb. The m50 won't change how the charcoal canister functions the only line that should change is the location of the vac source, I don't remember where the m20 hooked up but the vac nipple on the throttle body sounds correct.

[asubimmer]

^^lol you don't NEED the canister. Its for emissions. My car has run fine for 2 years w/out the canister.

[dele30]

I understand that its main purpose is emissions but the way i want to set it up will work correct?

[jrdeamicis]

From the nipple on the throttle body to the charcoal can, one line from the charcoal line goes to the gas tank. On the E36 there is a drain on the bottom. I don't know how the E30 one is.

[dele30]

no drain on the bottom of the e30 canister, so I shouldn't worry right, the way I have it should work.

[jrdeamicis]

Mounting the E36 charcoal canister is a pain in the ass (if you want it to look nice)

I'm sure it would be fine. In CA I need to mount the E36 one to make it pass a SMOG certification.

[dele30]

where does the drain go on the bottom of the e36 canister?

[jrdeamicis]

Just out, I don't remember on my M3 what it did. But its not very important. Its just a slip on hose if it has one.

[dele30]

cool, I appreciate help

[Mako18]

Yes its for emissions and yes your car can run with out it. Hilarious!! Should it? NO. Does it take up much room? NO. Is it hard to hook up? NO. Can I think of any reason why it would be worth it to not run a charcoal canister that takes harmful and dangerous fuel vapor out of the atmosphere? Lets think about this for a moment. hmmmmmmm .....HELL NO!

Here you learned something today.....

Gasoline evaporates quite easily. In the past, these evaporative emissions were vented into the atmosphere. 20% of all HC emissions from the automobile are from the gas tank. In 1970 legislation was passed, prohibiting venting of gas tank fumes into the atmosphere. An evaporative control system was developed to eliminate this source of pollution. The function of the fuel evaporative control system is to trap and store evaporative emissions from the gas tank and carburetor. A charcoal canister is used to trap the fuel vapors. The fuel vapors adhere to the charcoal, until the engine is started, and engine vacuum can be used to draw the vapors into the engine, so that they can be burned along with the fuel/air mixture. This system requires the use of a sealed gas tank filler cap. This cap is so important to the operation of the system, that a test of the cap is now being integrated into many state emission inspection programs. Pre-1970 cars released fuel vapors into the atmosphere through the use of a vented gas cap. Today with the use of sealed caps, redesigned gas tanks are used. The tank has to have the space for the vapors to collect so that they can then be vented to the charcoal canister. A purge valve is used to control the vapor flow into the engine. The purge valve is operated by engine vacuum. One common problem with this system is that the purge valve goes bad and engine vacuum draws fuel directly into the intake system. This enriches the fuel mixture and will foul the spark plugs. Most charcoal canisters have a filter that should be replaced periodically. This system should be checked when fuel mileage drops.

[jrdeamicis]

But it looks ugly in my engine bay. :p


Its tough because I have to run mine in the same location. I would just put it on the other side if I could.

[Mako18]

Mine is mounted on the frame rail real low by the fuel lines. What about yours? BTW I am using a e30 can.

[jrdeamicis]

It has to be where the e36 one was. So right next to the intake boot. And it has to be vertical due to the nature of it.

[bostonbmw]

what purge valve do you use??