Charcoal Canister

[SilverFive]

90 525i

What does the charcoal canister do? Where is it?

This car will not pass emissions so it's time to take her in.....had a talk with an M5 (E34) owner who likes to race...he seems to think it's not my air flow meter or catalytic converter. He says check the fuel pressure gauge, make sure no hoses are leaking, maybe even the charcoal canister? huh?


The other day, I put in 93 octane gas and it stutter started, the check engine light keeps coming on whenever I'm idling...uggh. I'm confused, but I sure as heck don't want to go thru failing again.....

 

[sm32589g]

the charcoal canister is above the gas tank, i beleive it captures the fumes so that the gas doesnt escape into the atmosphere and stays in your tank.

 

[arditarighi]

The other possibility, if you have hesitations/stuttering and rough idling, is actually the idle valve itself or small leak (they crack after about 6-8 years) on its connecting rubber hoses.

The idle valve costs about $100 and the hoses should not be more than $50 in parts and easy to replace. I would start inspecting them for cracks first.

Let us know what you find.
Rgrds,
/A

 

[epj3]

the charcoal canister is above the gas tank, i beleive it captures the fumes so that the gas doesnt escape into the atmosphere and stays in your tank.

Actually it's in the engine compartment, probably under the airbox.

 

[SilverFive]

I'll order one today and let you know the results. It only worsens the hotter it gets and the more traffic there is.

 

[SilverFive]

Well, it turned out to be a "MAJOR" tune-up that was needed. Which is what I told the jerks in January when I spent close to $1700....

With new sparks, wires, rotor, cap, O2 sensor, and some a/c work....wow!...it actually feels like a car again.....thanks for the advice all!