Un-Canisterectomy

[kris]

Hi Everyone, happy holidays!.
I'm afraid I have to replace my charcoal canister and was wondering if anyone out there might have a better idea.  I originally removed it as I had a bulging tank issue and thought it might have been caused by built up pressure.  So far, so good, however, my garage is connected to my house with a door leading into the house and gas smell from the tank venting is getting unbearable.  Laying in bed at night I can smell it and it's gettin old!  It's not overflowing, just the fumes.  My water heater is also next to the garage however it is elevated off the ground but still...
Is there another way to connect it without it having to build up pressure?
By the way, after a good tune and Beetles latest map this thing is running soooooo smooth!

Thanks for any insight!

Kris

[Triple Jim]

If I had a gas water heater in a garage, I think I'd invest in a hydrocarbon monitor that would let me know if fuel fumes were getting to a high level.  Or maybe your water heater is electric.

[jackson]

I've had as many as three bikes that I owned (all in the garage at the same time) and all with canisters removed and I never smelled any gas fumes.  My wife has a VERY sensitive nose and she never smelled gas either.  I presently have a V7 Guzzi with the canister removed in my main garage and NO gas fumes.  If I were you, I would check all the gas lines, the gas cap seal (and underneath the tank), and the throttle body for any leaks before reattaching the canister.

[Cam3512]

I've heard you have nightmares if you smell gas while sleeping. Any truth to that?

If that water heater has a pilot light, you've got a garage bomb in the making.

[John in PA]

Dittos on the "fuel line check"  I've got 7 bikes in the same garage space, all "canistrated"         Nothing but healthy, manly vehicular perfume in the air.

Something is leaking.... 

[canuguzzi]

Look like you removed the canister to solve a problem that easy caused by it. Sometimes we tend to do things just because the herd said so. I am not saying there are no benefits to removing the canister,  I am saying that first, removing the canister is a violation if federal law and depending on what State you live in, maybe a violation if the law there as well and second, if there is that much of a difference then something is very wrong with the engineering and design of the emissions controls for the bike.

If the smell of gasoline is Sinbad it keeps you awake, there is something else going on and removing the canister isn't the solution, as you obviously discovered.

I suggest you out the bike back to it's original condition and find out what the problem is. In the meantime, either actively vent your garage or park it outside until the problem is fixed. Your health and safety isn't worth gas fumes from the tank. Health first, everything else after that.

If your bike is under warranty, make the dealer fix it, that amount if fumes or tank bulging isn't acceptable. Of course, removing the canister precludes warranty service until you put everything you took off, back on.

[pehayes]

You have a leak.  Find it and fix it.

I have several bikes with free breathing tanks and the fumes are never an issue.  Consider the seams in your tank.  Consider cracks in your fuel hoses.  Does it smell worse right after you use the bike and then go away after a day or so?  Does it continue to smell for days?  On old bikes, only gravity was an issue and that doesn't create very much fuel line pressure.  Modern bikes have a pump and regulator and the fuel lines carry substantially more pressure during operation.  Pressure likely doesn't go back to zero the moment you turn off the key.  The tiniest of cracks will ooze liquid fuel for quite some time. 

Based on the successful results of many other people, I would suggest you remove the tank and start inspecting hoses very carefully, especially where they bend and where they clamp.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[twhitaker]

I've heard you have nightmares if you smell gas while sleeping. Any truth to that?

Only if your mate holds the blanket over your head. 

[kris]

The bike had no problem other than the "bulging tank" issue.  It was replaced under warranty but I'd rather not have to go through it again.  A lot of what I'm smelling might be my imagination as I just had my girlfriend take a sniff and she can"t smell anything.  I lifted the tank and checked for any leaks but everything is bone dry. 
So far, no nightmares!   

I think just for peace of mind I might hunt down the check valve and remove it and reconnect the hoses "check valve free".  Any ideas on where it might be on a late model Norge?
Thanks,
Kris

[ohiorider]

Also consider that the canister is only used on US bikes.  The rest of the world doesn't require the can and associated plumbing.  I recall that manufacturers like BMW and Guzzi build 50 state bikes that conform to California regulations, instead of supplying bikes without charcoal canisters for 49, and a model with canister for California.  Probably drives up the cost a little, but may simplify other issues for the manufacturers.


                                           International Venting


                                                       USA Venting

[rbond]

So what is the benefit from removing the canister and what problems are solved from it's removal? I have a 2012 V7C.

[kris]

So what is the benefit from removing the canister and what problems are solved from it's removal? I have a 2012 V7C.

Again, my only issue was a bulging tank, possibly caused by pressure build up, not really sure.  Some say the bikes run better with the canister removed, can't say I've noticed a difference.  On the the Norge you get the benefit of a little more room under the seat, not sure about the V7.

[MLR]

I was under the impression that the bulging fuel tanks were caused by problems with ethanol. I still have the canister on mine & have never noticed any pressure release when I open the tank.

[Nic in Western NYS]

Your gf can't smell it.  Has anyone else smelled the gasoline smell?  Mind can play tricks...

[Wayne Orwig]

I typically keep the canisters on my bikes. I actually believe there is a difference in fumes in the garage between bikes that have the canister system (that is working properly) and a non-canister system.
BUT, it is very slight. I had two older bikes that did not come with canisters in the garage for a long time. The only time any fumes were EVER noticed, is when the tank was over filled and overflowed, OR there was a leak.
While I always suggest that people FIX their canister systems, not just rip them off. In your case, you surely have a leak (or you over filled the tank). 

[twhitaker]

So what is the benefit from removing the canister and what problems are solved from it's removal? I have a 2012 V7C.

Sometimes an overfilled tank will flow into the canister and soak the charcoal.

[bad Chad]

I don't have cans on either of my guzzi.  But the v65 after a run smells  up the garage far more of various petroleum than the injected Breva  .

[Kev m]

If I had a gas water heater in a garage, I think I'd invest in a hydrocarbon monitor that would let me know if fuel fumes were getting to a high level.  Or maybe your water heater is electric.

Not sure when this started, but modern gas water heaters have a hydrocarbon sensor integrated into the control unit. It cuts gas and shuts it down if detected. At least the ones we had installed in the garage a few weeks ago does.

[kris]

Thanks for the input from all of you.  I'm really convinced that this gas smell was, for the most part, just me being a little paranoid.  Since I've looked for leaks and found nothing and the tank has been mostly only half full for the past few days, I've really noticed that there's not much gas smell at all.  I asked my girlfriend and my next door neighbor and neither one of them could smell anything.  But, just for safety I'm closing the door that separates the water heater from the garage(it's a fire door that seals tightly).  The Norge is running so good right now that I don't want to make any changes that aren't necessary.

 

Kris