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