Ancient carbon canister on a 530i?

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canada karl
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Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 3:50 pm

Ancient carbon canister on a 530i?

Post by canada karl »

I doubt if it's ever been replaced. Does an old carbon canister cause any engine breathing or drivability problems. I suppose the charcoal inside is pretty much ineffective for filtering by now but other than that does it plug up and prevent gas vapor from being dumped? is it worth it to get a new one?
1976 530i. BMW 59 Triumph TR3A(rolling resto). 67 Triumph TR4A(salvageable). 86 900S Winter car
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Mike W.
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Location: Sonoma County

Post by Mike W. »

I've neither heard of one going bad or changed one out. The operation is supposed to be the charcoal absorbs the fuel vapor, then the intake pulls it off. Over and over. Supposedly it can be killed by overfilling the tank so fluid expansion reaches the canister and it becomes saturated. But I've never heard of it happening.
Mike W.



02 525ita. Wife's, aka grocery getter
02 530i. New to the fleet, 3 pedals.
03 QX4, AKA the Datsun. Finally got the 4WD vacationmoble to stop smoking.
07 Xterra. Still on the DL, a purchase from hell.
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