Need help fast!!!

[Bizarre]

There is a black canister sitting between the AC thing and the radiator.
What is it and where does the tube coming out of the bottom plug in?

Changing my oil and noticed this thing came loose and was dangling.

[NikFu S.]

Between the condensor and the radiator? What AC thing?

What do you mean canister? What's it made of? Color? Shape? Connected to something?

[Bizarre]

Black Plastic Cylinder. 2 small hoses out of the top. 1 out of the bottom.
It rests between the condensor and the radiator.

[NikFu S.]

I can't say I've ever seen something like that in that place. I'd go check my car, but someone is wrenching it on the other side of the highway atm.

Can you see where the hoses are connecting, if to anything? Are they air hoses or do they seem to carry liquids? Is your tranny line hooked up the the radiator? I ask this because if everything else seems to be right, I wouldn't worry too much about it right now.

[Bizarre]

This cannister sits beside the condensor and has lines from it. Part of the AC system I assume. I lifted the car up but can find no place for this third hose coming out of the bottom.

[NikFu S.]

Does your AC work?

[Nomake Wan]

You mean the vapor canister for the fuel system? The black thing in this picture.

[Ricochet]

all it does is slide into place on a metal guide.. just put it back in.

btw does that thing ever need emptied or whatever? what the hell is it for?

[NikFu S.]

That's what I thought at first, but it's not near the condensor. Maybe he thinks the silver thing is the condensor? I know I used to think it was.

If it's that cannister, there are no hoses on the bottom.

--
BTW, whoever's car that is, that's a lot of rusty bolts. Sheesh.

[immortal_suby]

That's the charcoal canister. It is connected to the fuel system. There is a hose coming out the bottom. The hose out the bottom just plugs into the frame rail underneath it.

generic description from the internet:

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.

and another that explains the purpose

EVAPORATIVE CONTROLS

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.

[Bizarre]

Frame rail underneath. Got it. Thanks.

Sorry about misnomer on the Ac condensor. I meant the silver cylinder with the bubble window.

[NikFu S.]

One more thing, in Nomake Wan's picture what is that off-white connection on one of the hoses to that cannister?
I've never seen that.

[immortal_suby]

Originally Posted by NikFu S.

One more thing, in Nomake Wan's picture what is that off-white connection on one of the hoses to that cannister?
I've never seen that.

one way valve. it has a small spring and plug inside. The factory only put those on the fast svx's

[Nomake Wan]

Originally Posted by NikFu S.

BTW, whoever's car that is, that's a lot of rusty bolts. Sheesh.

That would be my car...

The off-white thing looks like some kind of flow control device to me.

[NikFu S.]

Originally Posted by immortal_suby

one way valve. it has a small spring and plug inside. The factory only put those on the fast svx's

No kidding? My car has like 4 or 5 of them.