Charcoal Canister Really needed ??

[stepsider]

Is the Canister really needed ?? I think I understand the use of the Canister. I think it was a smog thing,(California) As long as the gas tank tank is vented I don't see a problem. I have a 71 C10. No canister when I got the truck. Truck runs good.

[Custom/Ten]

Not necessary,but sure are nice to have! I wouldn't unhook a working one but since mine was busted I just unhooked it and vented the tank until I get a new one.

[Mmorgan32]

No smog is needed on a 72 so not necessary

[Sklptrljay]

If i'm not mistaken, I believe part of the use of the charcoal canister was to reduce the smell of gas vapors in the cab. So, not needed, and I'm all for getting rid of the old smog stuff....but that might be one reason to keep it if someone was inclined to.

[SS Tim]

There is really no good reason to disable a evap system. Its prime purpose is to reduce fuel evaporation vapors when parked. It does this by capturing otherwise vented fumes and burning them when the vehicle is in operation. Since a good vented cap that doesn't leak is hard to find and your system is in place fix it and keep it. The few lines involved and replacing the filter are a small price to pay. It should be on all 70 California CK/10s, 71-72 CK/10s, Blazers and CK10-20 Suburbans anywhere as well.

Given todays fuels are a witch's brew of volatiles, our trucks are driven much less than they were intended and garages are by and large much tighter sealed, fuel vapor reduction and conntainment is a win all the way around.

Look at it this way would you leave the cap off of a gas can (or loose) with gas in it?

[tcrist]

While it is true that our trucks go not need to have a smog check they are still required to have all of the "STANDARD" smog equipment on them that they came with from the factory. Removing or disabling any smog equipment is not legal.

If the Police want, they can confiscate your vehicle if the smog equipment has been removed or disabled. Not that they ever would 99.9% of the time, but they could if they wanted to.

[MagmaJct]

I suppose it all depends.

Do you only care about the law?

Or do you care to do the right thing?

I suppose it's up to you, but we all gotta breathe.

Regards,
Mike

[In The Ten Ring]

My dad unhooked the charcoal canister back in the 1970's, falsely believing it hurt performance. I intend to hook it back up again. I hope to get the bracket off tonight and start derusting that.

[Steeveedee]

I'm 100% with Tim. There is also a filter in the bottom of the vapor canister. I'll bet that bad boy needs to be replaced. This system did not alter performance in any way, BTW; it simply collected vapors from the fuel tank and allowed them to be drawn into the air inlet when the vehicle was running.