Driving up to a Bluegrass gig last weekend, I had a couple of
miles on some particularly bad washboard roads. Hopping out
of my dusty 94 855 at the destination, I notice a odd round
thing hanging down in front of the drivers side wheel well.
At the time I wasnt sure what it was, but it was clearly broken,
and hanging from a few hoses.

Getting home with the manual in hand, I have identified it as
the Charcoal Canister, at least whats left of it, which isnt
much (just the portion with the tubes connected).

I seriously doubt that this thing was damaged on the trip across
the Contenintal Divide, not having noticed any strange breaking
plastic noises, nor seeing any debris on the way out.

Rather, I suspect that it may have been damaged before I bought the
car a year ago, and tucked up into the wheel well where it went
unnoticed until being shaken down by bouncy road conditions.

So my questions are:

What does this Canister do?

Is it bad to drive the car with the Canister in such a state?

Can I buy the part and replace it myself (havent managed to
located it at any online stores just yet).

thanks for any advice!

-jas



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96 850 Sedan & 94 850 Wagon

Replace it. If you find a cannister(try used parts?) you can easily put it in yourself. It sits perched on a little ledge up underneath and uses a large zip tie to attach it to the metal bracket. The bottom lip fits into the little ledge bit and then get a long big zip tie. I found one like 10(?) inches long and had to cut it to make it skinnier to fit in the little holes in the bracket, it goes thru the holes in the bracket, attach the tubes, set it on the ledge and tighten the zip like a belt around a belly,- thats it. Once tightend it stays.

Your charcoal canister is part of the pollution control system. It traps gas fumes from the gas lines and fuel tank and while the car is running, feeds it to the engine. You could probably find a replacement at a pick and pull, or spend about $250 at a dealer(guess). If you want to pass inspection in AZ, best get it fixed soon.
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95 850, 88 245