GM 96060177 Canister

To begin with, evaporative emissions control system is designed to draw fuel vapors from the gas tank and fuel system, store them in a charcoal canister, and route them to the intake manifold when the engine is running. In case of a problem with this system, it could be detected immediately due to strong fuel odor within the engine. If there are smells of gasoline, you should check the charcoal canister under the master cylinder located at the engine compartment. The driver's side firewall in the engine compartment houses the charcoal canister. Check for damage and wear on all hoses as well as on canister; it's important.

This is a system that is intended to collect and retain fuel that which vaporizes from the fuel tank, carburetor and intake manifold in order to minimize hydrocarbon emissions in the atmosphere. For the EVAP system, it employs a charcoal canister and fuel tank connected by emission control hoses and a thermo switch. During non-operation of the engine, fuel vapors that are produced in the fuel tank and carburetor are stored in the canister, while during the operation of the engine, the intake air flow purges the canister and consequently these vapors are combusted. A bi-metal thermo switch manages the canister purge, it is closed when the coolant temperature is low to avoid vacuum to the purge control valve; it is opened when the operating temperature is attained to allow vapor to pass through the intake manifold. Poor idle, stalling, and other driveability problems may be due to a bad purge valve or a damaged canister or hoses. Any form of fuel wastage or smell of fuel may mean fuel leakages from the fuel hose or the cylinder, therefore checking on the fuel pipes for weaknesses, specifically, kinks, or cracks and fixing them if there is a need. The canister must be examined for signs of punctures and cracks, and consequently if it is leaking then the canister and the hoses must be replaced. This requires professional help to further exhaust tests. For the charcoal canister replacement, one need to disconnect the negative battery cable, number and disconnect the vacuum hoses, remove the mounting bolts, and pull out the canister from the car, while installation is made in the reverse order.