what is this, found it behind the rear drivers wheel kinda tucked back in there where the fuel filler neck is, and the hoses once off do smell like fuel.
But what is it? and what does it do?

http://www.speedinc.ca/car/carapart/jan22/thingy.jpg

 

My guess is that it's the carbon canister. A part of the EVAP system.

 

That is your evaporative charcoal canister. It is used to catch any fumes from gasoline. It is part of your emmisions system.

 

EVAP canister.
it keeps fuel vapors from being dumped into the atmosphere, there are filtered through the charcoal canister and sucked into the throttle body by a vacuum line.

in simpler terms it keeps you from smelling gas

jesse

 

hmm thanks for the replies.

Guess theres really not much use saving it then?

 

QCK QUESTION how much does it weigh?

jesse

 

I have never handled one in a 4th gen, but in every other application I have worked on, about 2-3 lbs.

 

...looks like 3 or 4 pounds of weight that I don't need on my car. Any reason why I can't take it off and throw it away? I'm putting my car on a diet. Any secret/secrets to removing it? Thanks, Bill...

 

the downside is the gas smell, and not being able to pass emissions.

jesse

 

Ya I think it would be like 5 pounds MAX with all the lines, I bet you could shead that from jsut cleaning dirt out from places you dont think have dirt.
I couldnt believe how much dirt and dust was in various parts of the car while taking it apart.