Relocation and Upgrade of the Charcoal Canister

[Healey3000]

Hi,

I’m eyeing the location of the stock charcoal canister as a good spot for my EFI ECU.  I will, of course, add a heatshield to protect it from the exhaust manifold.  I do want to retain the EVAP capability so the thought is to mount a canister in the trunk.

The attached picture is of a canister from a mid 2002’s Mazda 6.  There are a few of this ilk floating around, from Nissans to Volvos and even some Fords.  Given the form-factor, I was considering mounting it under the parcel shelf, alongside the expansion tank.  That way, I can retain the blue line to the engine bay.

Plumbing-wise, I would run a flex hose from the upper nipple of the expansion tank into the “Tank” input of the canister.  A second line from the “Purge” port on the canister would run to a solenoid valve and from there to the blue line.  At the engine, the blue line would plumb into the intake manifold, downstream of the throttle.

The ECU will control the Purge solenoid to bring the vapors in.  I may add a short run of hose from the “Ambient” port on the canister to a spot where it can breathe outside the car.

Any flaws with this approach?  Thanks for your input.

Edited November 16, 2018 by Healey3000

[Mike87]

I made a charcoal canister out of PVC pipe with fittings in the ends and put it under the back seat. Seems to work pretty well. This is in addition to the vapor separator tank under the parcel shelf in the trunk. I had a Nissan one under the hood for a while but removed it for the custom one under the back seat.

 

Pretty sure that the one in your picture will work just fine.

[Stevenc22]

My canister is gone and the pipe vents into the wheel well. Never had a odor problem.

[Healey3000]

8 hours ago, Mike87 said:

I made a charcoal canister out of PVC pipe with fittings in the ends and put it under the back seat. Seems to work pretty well. This is in addition to the vapor separator tank under the parcel shelf in the trunk. I had a Nissan one under the hood for a while but removed it for the custom one under the back seat.

 

Pretty sure that the one in your picture will work just fine.

Hi,

 

Have you plumbed it into the intake manifold?  Does the stock e30 ECU control a purge valve?

 

Thanks for the confirmation; I was thinking of placing it under the rear seat but that would mean cutting the blue tubing.

[Mike87]

ECU does not control any purge valve. That was way before that capability. I think it is plumbed into the intake, but maybe just the airbox. It has been in there a long time. Cannot remember how I made it work.

[jimk]

13 hours ago, Healey3000 said:

Does the stock e30 ECU control a purge valve?

It did on the 89 E30ix I had.  Valve was located below the throttle body and vented to the intake.  I was going to set one up on the S14 but didn't get a canister  So the valve with wire lea is waiting for the canister to appear.  Your canister selection looks appealing.

For control, see sheet 1360-7 here:

http://wedophones.com/Manuals/BMW/1989 BMW 325ix Electrical Troubleshooting Manual.pdf