Fuel Vapor Canister
Traditionally, the storage systems and the vapor recovery of an automotive vehicle comprise a vapor canister which is remotely mounted, and is operatively connected via distinct valves and lines within the fuel tank. Generally, vapor canisters come in the shape of a small box and usually have a number of spots for hoses in the front and bottom. Vapor canisters can be implemented to reduce carbon emission and ensure a higher efficiency of fuel. Anything involving carbon emissions immediately brings to mind an extremely worrying issue: Climate Change and Global Warming. It has been a hot topic for a while now and certainly should be, considering the effect it has been having worldwide.
Let’s have a bit of background. The burning of fossil fuels have resulted in the emission of a great deal of gases, the primary one being carbon dioxide. This is bad, not just because the amount of fuels left for future is markedly decreasing but also because these emissions are having a terrible and potentially deadly effect on the atmosphere. Excess carbon dioxide, which is not reabsorbed by plants, tends to stay in the atmosphere and trap the warmth gained from sunlight, not allowing it to dissipate. Over the years, the buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has caused the earth’s temperature to rise by almost 2 degrees Fahrenheit.
Now, most of the fossil fuels we burn are used in cars. When our vehicles use gas or oil, they produce emissions of carbon dioxide. This problem was recognized and around 1970, all US cars have had vapor canisters installed to minimize emissions. With the consequences of climate change now abundantly clear, we now know that making sure our car’s vapor canister is in good working order is tremendously important.
Vapor canisters are designed to reduce emissions and increase fuel efficiency. These canisters block the emissions, which consist of hydrocarbon vapor, and send them back to the engine to be burned properly. The canister itself is usually a rectangular box, and inside this box are carbon pellets, or charcoal. The carbon traps the gases (which form even when the vehicle isn’t running) and stores them. When the vehicle is started up again, the gases are sent back to the engine and burned for fuel.
The canister also reduces the amount of fumes produced while the engine is in use. Fumes seep into the inside of the car, and passengers have to contend with the unpleasant smell of fuel which can be intolerable on long journeys. Also, having fuel vapor collect under the hood of a car can be quite dangerous. The vapor can be set on fire, which, needless to say, is extremely dangerous and therefore shouldn’t be tampered with under any circumstances.
On unpaved roads, the vapor canister can prevent dust and dirt from getting inside the engine. This prevents unnecessary wear and tear on the engine, which in turn is easier on the car owner’s budgeting concerns.
The vapor canister needs to be regularly replaced. It can get clogged up with debris, and also the carbon inside can become saturated, no longer being able to trap fuel vapor. In most cases the car will appear to be working fine, even without the vapor canister, but nevertheless it is a good idea to replace it. After all, it protects your engines, reduces emissions, reduces the amount of fuel needed and improves the performance of your vehicle.
There are plenty of manufacturers who can provide the right kind of canister for your car. It is harder to find canister models compatible with older cars, but it is well worth it to take the trouble.
