Help Identifying Under Hood Components Requested
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
The First Picture: The charcoal canister has air ports on the top that are usually covered with blue plugs that pop off and let air into or out of the canister if there is a pressure buildup. The blue plugs are missing on the top suggesting the system isn't working properly.
Fresh air for the system is brought into the canister through the bottom through the charcoal filter. This is how the fuel tanks are vented when the engine is running.
Gas fumes are stored in the canister from the tanks when the engine isn't running, because only fresh air can go through the charcoal. The fumes are blocked by it.
The second picture as described earlier by others are: The First two are Thermactor Solenoids, TAB and TAD. The third one is either the MAP, and the fourth is for the EGR valve, or visa versa.
Fresh air for the system is brought into the canister through the bottom through the charcoal filter. This is how the fuel tanks are vented when the engine is running.
Gas fumes are stored in the canister from the tanks when the engine isn't running, because only fresh air can go through the charcoal. The fumes are blocked by it.
The second picture as described earlier by others are: The First two are Thermactor Solenoids, TAB and TAD. The third one is either the MAP, and the fourth is for the EGR valve, or visa versa.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Des Moines, IA
Thanks for the reply 81 f150 Explorer!
I sort of thought that the holes in the charcoal canister ought to have something in them, I just didn't know what that something was!
Since the canister doesn't have any activated charcoal in it and since the truck seems to be running just fine as is, would I be shooting myself in the foot if I just left this component alone, or should I buy a couple of rubber plugs to stopper it up?
Thanks!
Frank
I sort of thought that the holes in the charcoal canister ought to have something in them, I just didn't know what that something was!
Since the canister doesn't have any activated charcoal in it and since the truck seems to be running just fine as is, would I be shooting myself in the foot if I just left this component alone, or should I buy a couple of rubber plugs to stopper it up?Thanks!
Frank
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,997
Likes: 2,743
From: Virginia
I would not plug it. Like he said in his post, it's how the fuel tanks breath. You might get a little gas smell if it's not working correctly. Other than that, it won't give you any problems.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 9
From: Acworth, GA
Thanks for the reply 81 f150 Explorer!
I sort of thought that the holes in the charcoal canister ought to have something in them, I just didn't know what that something was! Since the canister doesn't have any activated charcoal in it and since the truck seems to be running just fine as is, would I be shooting myself in the foot if I just left this component alone, or should I buy a couple of rubber plugs to stopper it up?
Thanks!
Frank
I sort of thought that the holes in the charcoal canister ought to have something in them, I just didn't know what that something was!
Since the canister doesn't have any activated charcoal in it and since the truck seems to be running just fine as is, would I be shooting myself in the foot if I just left this component alone, or should I buy a couple of rubber plugs to stopper it up?Thanks!
Frank
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
It would be better if you did fix it. Just get a good used one out of the wrecking yard. The charcoal in the canister hardly ever goes bad unless its soaked with unburned fuel or caked with dirt.
As I said before, the fuel tanks and fuel system vents through the canister, and keeps fuel vapor from escaping when the engine is off.
One good thing about trapping the evaporating fuel vapor, is that it will keep more fuel in your tank instead of it evaporating to the atmosphere.
As I said before, the fuel tanks and fuel system vents through the canister, and keeps fuel vapor from escaping when the engine is off.
One good thing about trapping the evaporating fuel vapor, is that it will keep more fuel in your tank instead of it evaporating to the atmosphere.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 22
From: Florence, SC
My charcoal canister looks identical to the original poster's, except mine doesn't have the two ports that his has vacuum lines going to. Mine only has the two holes in the top of it. One of the holes has a blue cap over it, like 81-F-150-Explorer stated. The other hole has an "F" fitting, where one line has the fuel tank vent and the other has a vacuum hose with a canister purge valve inline, that has three additional connections.
I wonder why they are different?
I don't see how air can come through the bottom of the canister. Am I missing something? My OEM Ford canister doesn't appear to have a hole anywhere for air to come through the bottom of it?
I wonder why they are different?
Originally Posted by 81-F-150-Explorer
Fresh air for the system is brought into the canister through the bottom through the charcoal filter.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,244
Likes: 40
My charcoal canister looks identical to the original poster's, except mine doesn't have the two ports that his has vacuum lines going to. Mine only has the two holes in the top of it. One of the holes has a blue cap over it, like 81-F-150-Explorer stated. The other hole has an "F" fitting, where one line has the fuel tank vent and the other has a vacuum hose with a canister purge valve inline, that has three additional connections.
I wonder why they are different?
I wonder why they are different?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
Different engines, different type charcoal canister.
The original posters purge valve is most likely connected to the canister directly, like the newer models. His also has basicly two canisters into one, possibly for dual tanks. Some vehicles combine it into one canister or they have two seperate canisters.
My charcoal canister has slits in the bottom where it will suck in fresh air when needed for venting. The fuel vapor is trapped in the canister and wont pass through the charcoal, wheras the fresh air will.
Again this difference is possibly due to design changes. However they do basicly the same job. As long as you get a replacement one that matches, it should be fine.
The original posters purge valve is most likely connected to the canister directly, like the newer models. His also has basicly two canisters into one, possibly for dual tanks. Some vehicles combine it into one canister or they have two seperate canisters.
My charcoal canister has slits in the bottom where it will suck in fresh air when needed for venting. The fuel vapor is trapped in the canister and wont pass through the charcoal, wheras the fresh air will.
Again this difference is possibly due to design changes. However they do basicly the same job. As long as you get a replacement one that matches, it should be fine.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: Delta Jct Alaska
It would be better if you did fix it. Just get a good used one out of the wrecking yard. The charcoal in the canister hardly ever goes bad unless its soaked with unburned fuel or caked with dirt.
As I said before, the fuel tanks and fuel system vents through the canister, and keeps fuel vapor from escaping when the engine is off.
One good thing about trapping the evaporating fuel vapor, is that it will keep more fuel in your tank instead of it evaporating to the atmosphere.
As I said before, the fuel tanks and fuel system vents through the canister, and keeps fuel vapor from escaping when the engine is off.
One good thing about trapping the evaporating fuel vapor, is that it will keep more fuel in your tank instead of it evaporating to the atmosphere.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
EXPI2006
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
7
May 21, 2012 09:31 PM
Benijeep
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
11
Jan 17, 2012 01:11 PM
firstrider
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
10
Apr 13, 2011 01:06 PM
