Check your check valves

Steve Wood · 02-23-2008, 02:59 PM

Messing with one of my cars while ago and I noticed the hose from the check valve to the charcoal cannister looked rotten. For some reason, I pulled the check valve off and blew into it....it was bad...guess I have been blowing some boost into the gas tank when I stepped on it.

Old as these cars are, it might be a good idea to check the checkvalves while you are replacing and zip tieing hoses....I might not be the only one with a screwed up check valve (s) Usually you notice the one the goes to the egr, vacuum reservoir ball and AC controls because the AC controls quite working when boost comes on.

Just a thought.

Ttype83 · 02-23-2008, 03:02 PM

My AC stops when I'm in boost, thought it was suppose too

Crap more stuff to check

Orlando_87GN · 02-23-2008, 03:04 PM

The ECM turns the compressor off at 4000rpm. If you vents however are going from dash to floor durning WOT, you have a bad check valve.

EGR, what is that?

Top Speed · 02-23-2008, 03:09 PM

I had to replace all my check valves.

Steve Wood · 02-23-2008, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ttype83

My AC stops when I'm in boost, thought it was suppose too

Crap more stuff to check

The ecm turns the compressor off at 4.0 volts tps...as Mike said, if the air quits then you know you probably have a check valve problem.

Steve Wood · 02-23-2008, 03:43 PM

The same check valve serves the egr, vacuum ball, and AC....does not matter if you have egr, or not....you need the check valve.

TommyX · 02-23-2008, 06:57 PM

Just out of curiousity, is the charcoal canister something we really need? Can we remove it and plug the lines? Sorry if it's a stupid question, i just never questioned what it actually does. Other than being in the way of the k&n filter does it really serve any meaningful purpose?

gbsean · 02-23-2008, 07:56 PM

isn't it part of the venting system for the gas tank ????

Steve Wood · 02-23-2008, 08:08 PM

removes gas vapor from the tank when the engine is off and then recycles it thru the engine when it is running.....it does not hurt anything and helps keep things clean

Our tanks are not vented like old cars so the relief when pressurized will be thru the canister.

gbsean · 02-23-2008, 08:25 PM

I know with respirators that the charcoal has a life.....it can only absorb so much and then it is done......should they be changed???

Steve Wood · 02-23-2008, 08:30 PM

good question...some imports suggest 30,000 miles, but, I know ours were good for at least 50,000 because of the guarantee for emissions components.

Unlike respirators, the canister is sucked clean by engine vacuum so I would guess unless it has been flooded severely, it will last a very long time.

Steve Wood · 02-23-2008, 08:35 PM

just looked in the book...apparently there is a filter in the bottom that should be changed if it gets dirty or plugged....learn something every day!

gbsean · 02-23-2008, 08:40 PM

yes I know about the sponge filter.....it filters the air going into the canister....is it truly charcoal in the canister....even with the vapours the charcaol can only absorb so much....unless it absorbs to the point of making it a liquid....much like sponge.....no real chemical reaction...like with paint fumes....interesting that no one has really covered this...

Steve Wood · 02-23-2008, 08:45 PM

go look at your book...cd, or whatever

says air is drawn in thru the bottom of the cannister, mixes with the vapors, and the mixture is purged into the intake when the engine is above vacuum. Therefore, the charcoal does not retain the vapor.

Which brings us to the point that if the ecm controlled purge valve is bad, you will have a screwed up idle (overly lean).

Steve Wood · 02-23-2008, 08:46 PM

and, yes, it is activated charcoal

02-23-2008, 02:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
Steve Wood An American American Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: East of Eden, Texas Posts: 37,175	Check your check valves Messing with one of my cars while ago and I noticed the hose from the check valve to the charcoal cannister looked rotten. For some reason, I pulled the check valve off and blew into it....it was bad...guess I have been blowing some boost into the gas tank when I stepped on it. Old as these cars are, it might be a good idea to check the checkvalves while you are replacing and zip tieing hoses....I might not be the only one with a screwed up check valve (s) Usually you notice the one the goes to the egr, vacuum reservoir ball and AC controls because the AC controls quite working when boost comes on. Just a thought. __________________ ------------------ 'A government that is big enough to give you everything you want, is also big enough to take away everything you have.' - Thomas Jefferson I think one should worry more when people are lining up to get out of a country rather than into it. If they're sneaking in, we must be doing something right. The Chronicles of Zap, from the early 21st century www.vortexbuicks-etc.com

02-23-2008, 03:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ttype83 Resident Slut Join Date: May 2001 Location: Newnan,Ga Posts: 5,302	My AC stops when I'm in boost, thought it was suppose too Crap more stuff to check __________________ Jim Seaton 83 T type Limited CarbedHotAir Slug ET 14.342 @ 94.67mph 14 psi boost, 2.080 60' Comp Cams will never get another dime of my money 86 White moon roof T-type, Stock IC & Turbo, Razor Alky, 50lb inj, Hotwire & fuel pump, tt chip, 2800 stall pats TC, R.Merritt plug wires & Trans, parts by Grumpy and his 3" single shot exhuast (No goals) Wifes toys:2004 Ram 1500 Quadcab Solar Yellow(HEMI) 2006 HD 1200C Sporty 1990 Camaro V6 (Daughter's beater) 1980 C3 Vette ...another project DSR member #6

02-23-2008, 03:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
Orlando_87GN Resident Idiot Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Orlando, FL USA Posts: 10,458	The ECM turns the compressor off at 4000rpm. If you vents however are going from dash to floor durning WOT, you have a bad check valve. EGR, what is that? __________________ Check Out MikesStuff4Sale.com to view my used parts! ------------------------------------------------ 1987 Buick Grand National Budget 4.1, 204/214 cam, TA-49 Turbo, Stockish Heads, V4, MSD50's, TH DP, JayJackson 62mm TB, Translator plus Extender powered. 3680# with pilot ------------------------------------------------ 1993 Mazda RX-7 4.1 Buick Powered 11.20 @ 128mph (2.4 60')!

02-23-2008, 03:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
Top Speed Don't Tread On Me Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: the ATL Posts: 2,576	I had to replace all my check valves. __________________ -Chris '86 Pro-Touring T-Type

02-23-2008, 03:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
Steve Wood An American American Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: East of Eden, Texas Posts: 37,175	The same check valve serves the egr, vacuum ball, and AC....does not matter if you have egr, or not....you need the check valve. __________________ ------------------ 'A government that is big enough to give you everything you want, is also big enough to take away everything you have.' - Thomas Jefferson I think one should worry more when people are lining up to get out of a country rather than into it. If they're sneaking in, we must be doing something right. The Chronicles of Zap, from the early 21st century www.vortexbuicks-etc.com

02-23-2008, 06:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
TommyX The quiet one Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 440	Just out of curiousity, is the charcoal canister something we really need? Can we remove it and plug the lines? Sorry if it's a stupid question, i just never questioned what it actually does. Other than being in the way of the k&n filter does it really serve any meaningful purpose? __________________ JCC #4 11.33 @ 120.00 etown 11.25 @ 121.61 cecil

02-23-2008, 07:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
gbsean 1 of 64,000,000 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Flanders, N.J. Posts: 10,656	isn't it part of the venting system for the gas tank ???? __________________ 11.599 @ 119.91 eat that Ferret Joe and JoeNational Tuning in Progress Sean Ryder Buick Performance Group Vice-Chairman www.buickperformancegroup.com see thread for Engine Specs http://www.turbobuicks.com/forums/wa...tml#post680751 happy now Rich

02-23-2008, 08:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
Steve Wood An American American Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: East of Eden, Texas Posts: 37,175	removes gas vapor from the tank when the engine is off and then recycles it thru the engine when it is running.....it does not hurt anything and helps keep things clean Our tanks are not vented like old cars so the relief when pressurized will be thru the canister. __________________ ------------------ 'A government that is big enough to give you everything you want, is also big enough to take away everything you have.' - Thomas Jefferson I think one should worry more when people are lining up to get out of a country rather than into it. If they're sneaking in, we must be doing something right. The Chronicles of Zap, from the early 21st century www.vortexbuicks-etc.com Last edited by Steve Wood : 02-23-2008 at 08:25 PM.

02-23-2008, 08:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
gbsean 1 of 64,000,000 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Flanders, N.J. Posts: 10,656	I know with respirators that the charcoal has a life.....it can only absorb so much and then it is done......should they be changed??? __________________ 11.599 @ 119.91 eat that Ferret Joe and JoeNational Tuning in Progress Sean Ryder Buick Performance Group Vice-Chairman www.buickperformancegroup.com see thread for Engine Specs http://www.turbobuicks.com/forums/wa...tml#post680751 happy now Rich

02-23-2008, 08:30 PM	#11 (permalink)
Steve Wood An American American Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: East of Eden, Texas Posts: 37,175	good question...some imports suggest 30,000 miles, but, I know ours were good for at least 50,000 because of the guarantee for emissions components. Unlike respirators, the canister is sucked clean by engine vacuum so I would guess unless it has been flooded severely, it will last a very long time. __________________ ------------------ 'A government that is big enough to give you everything you want, is also big enough to take away everything you have.' - Thomas Jefferson I think one should worry more when people are lining up to get out of a country rather than into it. If they're sneaking in, we must be doing something right. The Chronicles of Zap, from the early 21st century www.vortexbuicks-etc.com

02-23-2008, 08:35 PM	#12 (permalink)
Steve Wood An American American Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: East of Eden, Texas Posts: 37,175	just looked in the book...apparently there is a filter in the bottom that should be changed if it gets dirty or plugged....learn something every day! __________________ ------------------ 'A government that is big enough to give you everything you want, is also big enough to take away everything you have.' - Thomas Jefferson I think one should worry more when people are lining up to get out of a country rather than into it. If they're sneaking in, we must be doing something right. The Chronicles of Zap, from the early 21st century www.vortexbuicks-etc.com

02-23-2008, 08:40 PM	#13 (permalink)
gbsean 1 of 64,000,000 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Flanders, N.J. Posts: 10,656	yes I know about the sponge filter.....it filters the air going into the canister....is it truly charcoal in the canister....even with the vapours the charcaol can only absorb so much....unless it absorbs to the point of making it a liquid....much like sponge.....no real chemical reaction...like with paint fumes....interesting that no one has really covered this... __________________ 11.599 @ 119.91 eat that Ferret Joe and JoeNational Tuning in Progress Sean Ryder Buick Performance Group Vice-Chairman www.buickperformancegroup.com see thread for Engine Specs http://www.turbobuicks.com/forums/wa...tml#post680751 happy now Rich

02-23-2008, 08:45 PM	#14 (permalink)
Steve Wood An American American Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: East of Eden, Texas Posts: 37,175	go look at your book...cd, or whatever says air is drawn in thru the bottom of the cannister, mixes with the vapors, and the mixture is purged into the intake when the engine is above vacuum. Therefore, the charcoal does not retain the vapor. Which brings us to the point that if the ecm controlled purge valve is bad, you will have a screwed up idle (overly lean). __________________ ------------------ 'A government that is big enough to give you everything you want, is also big enough to take away everything you have.' - Thomas Jefferson I think one should worry more when people are lining up to get out of a country rather than into it. If they're sneaking in, we must be doing something right. The Chronicles of Zap, from the early 21st century www.vortexbuicks-etc.com

02-23-2008, 08:46 PM	#15 (permalink)
Steve Wood An American American Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: East of Eden, Texas Posts: 37,175	and, yes, it is activated charcoal

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