Re: Tech Tip

[George & Cathleen Ax <axes@xxxxxxxxx>]

>The latest Bavarian Autosport (BAS) catalog (fall & winter 1998-1999)
>has an excellent tech tip on pg. 65 that gives a warning against topping
>off the fuel when filling the tank.  If your car has some of the
>symptoms below and you haven't been able to locate the cause, they
>recommend replacing the charcoal canister.
>
>"When you fill the fuel right up into the filler neck you are allowing
>fuel to enter the fuel vapor recovery system.  This will contaminate the
>charcoal vapor recovery canister with raw fuel and effectively clog the
>canister and, hence the tank vent system.  Symptoms include: premature
>fuel pump failure, hard starting when warm, loss of power after driving
>for a while and premature fuel pressure regulator failure."
>
>My 1984 E28 seemed to lose power after warm up and I hadn't been able to
>determine the problem after trying for over a year.  After reading the
>BAS tech tip, I immediately went out and simply disconnected the fuel
>vapor line from vapor recovery canister (right side engine compartment
>below the washer fluid reservoir) and Voila!  No more power loss after
>warm-up.  Now the car runs GREAT all the time, not just after cold
>starts.  The "butt dyno" effect is like putting in a performance chip
>but without the cost.
>
>Even if none of the symptoms above are apparent, it may be a good idea
>to test your system by disconnecting the fuel vent line at the charcoal
>canister, especially if your bimmer is over ten years old or has high
>miles.  I'll (eventually) buy a replacement canister from BAS ($34.95)
>as a way of saying thanks for the tip.  But for now, I'm just enjoying
>the ride.  If this info helps solve anyone else's problem, a thankful
>reply will be enough.
>
>        Bavarian Autosport
>        www.bavauto.com
>        1-800-535-2002
>
>D.A. Smith
>Indianapolis


There are two hoses into the canister, one routed to the engine intake and
the other presumably back towards the refueler.  Which did you disconnect?
Any concerns about gas vapors around the engine compartment?

George R. Ax, Jr.
BDM Federal, Inc.
Director, Sensors and Photonics
    .           ..
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 .    .       .    .    ... Design,Analysis,
.      .     .      .  .    Simulation,Testing
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