Canisterectomy

[Latemarch]

After all the fire reports, some associated with the strong smell of gas.
And after coming back from a 100 mi. ride and parking the Spyder and then walking back into the garage an hour later to the very strong smell of gas. I was worried.
I concluded that there were only two sources of gas vapors.
Either a bad gas cap of a bad evap canister.
Since my gas cap was working well I figured the evap canister had to go.

The canister is easily removed by clipping the zip tie and lifting slightly and pulling it away from the bracket. Clip the Oetiker clamps that hold the hoses to the canister and remove canister.

Vent hose from the gas tank was then clamped to an inline fuel filter and 24" of 1/4" fuel line clamped to the other end and run down, forward and out the inboard splash pan hole behind the radiator. The fuel filter is to prevent the sucking up of dust or junk into the tank when the tank cools.

The purge line that leads into the purge solinoid was plugged with a bolt and clamped.

If you needed to undo this for an emissions inspection it could be done in about 10min as nothing permanent has been done that can't be undone.

 

[Lamonster]

That eliminates one potential problem. :thumbup:

 

[effgjamis]

After all the fire reports, some associated with the strong smell of gas.
And after coming back from a 100 mi. ride and parking the Spyder and then walking back into the garage an hour later to the very strong smell of gas. I was worried.
I concluded that there were only two sources of gas vapors.
Either a bad gas cap of a bad evap canister.
Since my gas cap was working well I figured the evap canister had to go.

The canister is easily removed by clipping the zip tie and lifting slightly and pulling it away from the bracket. Clip the Oetiker clamps that hold the hoses to the canister and remove canister.

Vent hose from the gas tank was then clamped to an inline fuel filter and 24" of 1/4" fuel line clamped to the other end and run down, forward and out the inboard splash pan hole behind the radiator. The fuel filter is to prevent the sucking up of dust or junk into the tank when the tank cools.

The purge line that leads into the purge solinoid was plugged with a bolt and clamped.

If you needed to undo this for an emissions inspection it could be done in about 10min as nothing permanent has been done that can't be undone.

After another ride or two, how about a report as to the smell, still there or gone?
thanks

 

[Latemarch]

After another ride or two, how about a report as to the smell, still there or gone?
thanks

Unlike some Spyder owners, mine had never had the gas smell before. This was a first time for me.

The canister reeks and is sitting outside! The Spyder doesn't anymore.
Will be riding either later today or tomorrow......depends on how work goes.

 

[Firefly]

After all the fire reports, some associated with the strong smell of gas.
And after coming back from a 100 mi. ride and parking the Spyder and then walking back into the garage an hour later to the very strong smell of gas. I was worried.
I concluded that there were only two sources of gas vapors.
Either a bad gas cap of a bad evap canister.
Since my gas cap was working well I figured the evap canister had to go.

The canister is easily removed by clipping the zip tie and lifting slightly and pulling it away from the bracket. Clip the Oetiker clamps that hold the hoses to the canister and remove canister.

Vent hose from the gas tank was then clamped to an inline fuel filter and 24" of 1/4" fuel line clamped to the other end and run down, forward and out the inboard splash pan hole behind the radiator. The fuel filter is to prevent the sucking up of dust or junk into the tank when the tank cools.

The purge line that leads into the purge solinoid was plugged with a bolt and clamped.

If you needed to undo this for an emissions inspection it could be done in about 10min as nothing permanent has been done that can't be undone.

I'm liking this idea---- but I'm confused---- what did you do with the line that comes from the engine? Sounds like you plugged it? Isn't that a vent line also? Is that what you are calling a Purge Line--- if so--- what does it do? I thought it was an overflow??

 

[Latemarch]

I'm liking this idea---- but I'm confused---- what did you do with the line that comes from the engine? Sounds like you plugged it? Isn't that a vent line also? Is that what you are calling a Purge Line--- if so--- what does it do? I thought it was an overflow??

The line from the engine arrives at a solinoid and from there plugs into the canister. I removed it from the canister and plugged it, leaving the solinoid where I found it. That's the bolt head you see there hanging down in the middle of the picture.

The solinoid is, I think, called a purge solinoid. It activates when you start the engine and allows the vacume from the throttle bodies (that's where the engine line goes to) to draw out accumulated gas fumes from the canister so that it's ready to suck up new fumes when you turn the engine off.

 

[Firefly]

The line from the engine arrives at a solinoid and from there plugs into the canister. I removed it from the canister and plugged it, leaving the solinoid where I found it. That's the bolt head you see there hanging down in the middle of the picture.

The solinoid is, I think, called a purge solinoid. It activates when you start the engine and allows the vacume from the throttle bodies (that's where the engine line goes to) to draw out accumulated gas fumes from the canister so that it's ready to suck up new fumes when you turn the engine off.

Interesting. So the solenoid is activated during startup and shutdown? Wonder if the solenoid could have a problem --- sparking and igniting the fumes. I want to confirm the purpose of that plugged line--- anyone know more about these?

I'm liking your idea as the gas smell is annoying. Please post back your findings after you ride some more.

Nice job!

 

[Some Guy]

Nice job!

:agree:

 

[BillGargan]

No gas smells on my Spyder . . .

But, in the event that I ever do, is the issue that this canister is busted and leaking. What is causing the fumes to show up.

Sounds like an explosion hazard to me!

 

[Pilo]

Hey Latemarch, I got the same nasty gas odor. I am trying to fix or replace my gas cap (it cannot be tightened enough, as it starts ratcheting without completely sealing the opening), and may be I'll also remove the canister.

Please let us know if your fumes problem has been solved, and how your Spyder behaves in terms of tuning and gas consumption without the can.

My new SE5 consumes way too much gas, and I suspect that it sloshes out and / or evaporates thru the gas cap. Will also modify tire pressure and see if it improves.

Saludos from an Argentinean in Venezuela

The line from the engine arrives at a solinoid and from there plugs into the canister. I removed it from the canister and plugged it, leaving the solinoid where I found it. That's the bolt head you see there hanging down in the middle of the picture.

The solinoid is, I think, called a purge solinoid. It activates when you start the engine and allows the vacume from the throttle bodies (that's where the engine line goes to) to draw out accumulated gas fumes from the canister so that it's ready to suck up new fumes when you turn the engine off.

Unlike some Spyder owners, mine had never had the gas smell before. This was a first time for me.

The canister reeks and is sitting outside! The Spyder doesn't anymore.
Will be riding either later today or tomorrow......depends on how work goes.

 

[Dragonrider]

Doing a cannisterectomy is common on BMW's too. On my $$22K LT, if you overfill the tank, the gas goes into the cannister - then the start-up vacuum collapses the gas tank. Since the Spyder's tank is metal, I don't see that as a problem, but venting sure is.

We have those stupid filler collars here, and I'll bet a beer that they cause a squrit of gas into the cannister on every fill up.

 

[Latemarch]

After my ride today. I noticed.....








Nothing.
No change in performance.
No error codes.
And best of all..........No smell.

 

[SpyderRyder810]

After my ride today. I noticed.....

Nothing.
No change in performance.
No error codes.
And best of all..........No smell.

Thank you for the update...we're seriously considering this option.

 

[M2Wild]

And put Lamont's new oil catch can where the canister used to be.

 

[Firefly]

The more I think about this - the more I really like the idea---- time to go buy some parts and do it!

:thumbup:

 

[BajaRon]

I really like this concept. Though I've had no issues and a very rare, faint smell of fuel (and I pump my tank as full as it will go, every time) I am going to do this or something very similar.

Great idea! :2thumbs:

 

[Firefly]

I'm torn between doing this and being safe and not-smelly--- and keeping it stock in case I ever had a fire. Seems BRP is trying to blame user-mods for these fires.

Then again- I've done so many mods--- if the evap can causes a fire-- they might try to blame one of my mods--- like the garage door opener---:shocked:

Does anyone know what the service life of the evap can is?

 

[BajaRon]

I'm torn between doing this and being safe and not-smelly--- and keeping it stock in case I ever had a fire. Seems BRP is trying to blame user-mods for these fires.

Then again- I've done so many mods--- if the evap can causes a fire-- they might try to blame one of my mods--- like the garage door opener---:shocked:

Does anyone know what the service life of the evap can is?

Service life of an evap can is essentially forever. There isn't anything to really wear out and I don't know anyone that has ever replaced one other than for physical damage.

 

[M2Wild]

Service life of an evap can is essentially forever. There isn't anything to really wear out and I don't know anyone that has ever replaced one other than for physical damage.

One time I over filled my RX300 and it started to drip gas under the car. I thought the tank was rusted thru but it turned out that the evap can was full because I over filled the tank. I spend a $100 bucks for them to tell me that I need to spend $700 more for them to replace my evap can (because I could fail emission and once the can is filled with gas its no longer useful). I just laughed at them and walked out of there.

 

[Latemarch]

Service life of an evap can is essentially forever. There isn't anything to really wear out and I don't know anyone that has ever replaced one other than for physical damage.

This is true. Though once you get liquid gas in the canister it ceases to function as designed. Theoretically as you continue to pull air thru the canister via the purge valve and into the throttle body it should eventually clear the liquid and return to function. Unfortunately since we refill our tanks on a frequent basis new liquid tends to get in there and keeping it from functioning.

My canister sat out in the sun for a day getting good and hot and it no longer smells much of gas. I'm guessing that I've probably evaporated the liquid out of it and if I put it back in it would probably function untill the next splash of liquid.

One other thought, I don't think that evap canisters are required in every country. Are there any Spyder owners that don't have a canister that came with the Sypder? If so how is the tank vented?