QuestionRecently, I hit a curb pretty hard and a part fell off my vehicle. I asked around and found out that is an Emissions Vapor Canister. My car is running fine and I haven't noticed any problems. What does this item do and what will happen if I don't get it fixed soon? Thanks for your help and I apologize for being so unknowleadgeable in the mechanical area.
AnswerHello Jen,
I wish I knew what type of vehicle you are talking about. Next time, add some of that info, OK?
The vapor canister is a container full of charcoal, and it absorbs vapors from the fuel tank, and depending on the vehicle, vapors from the carburetor, and other fuel handling items.
Then, after the engine has warmed up, and is running down the road, the computer, or some other item designed to control it, will open a valve and draw air through that canister, drawing those evaporation fumes into the engine, and burning them with the air/fuel mixture.
The purpose is to eliminate those fumes from being released into the atmosphere.
Some possible problems with not replacing it are...those evaporation fumes will be vented out under the vehicle, and you may smell strong gasoline fumes. Very slight possibility it could catch on fire, but not real likely.
Also, when the ECM,(computer) tells the valve to open and purge that canister, it will be sucking unfiltered air into the engine. On good clean paved roads, not too much dirt would be drawn in, but if you drive on dirt roads, you should at least find and plug that hose.
Depending on your vehicle, the absence of that canister can be detected by the computer when it performs a purge command, or a system self-test, and it may store an emissions code, and turn a light on in the instrument cluster.
I have two questions...
How HARD did you hit that curb?? I have never seen a vapor canister knocked off, shy of a wreck,
and why didn't you stop and pick up your parts?
You can probably locate a vapor canister, and any missing hoses and brackets for it at a salvage yard.
Good luck,
Van
