Carbon canister - correct part?

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

I asked this question on a Škoda forum but I’m not getting any replies, so I’ll try here!

It’s probably a common part on multiple VAG engines…

I’m replacing the N80 valve and carbon canister on my 2012 (pre-facelift) 3.6 VR6 Superb, in the hope of curing an occasional P0441 Incorrect Purge Flow fault code. Swapping the filler cap hasn’t worked.

The carbon canister I’ve just received (link below) has an extra downward-pointing vent pipe about an inch or so long in one corner, which is not present on the one currently fitted. Is this simply a modification introduced on newer revisions of the part, or have I got the wrong thing? Does anything attach to it, or does it just remain open?

https://www.skoda-parts.com/spare-part/1k0201801e-...

[paul_c123]

The way to properly find out would be to look at a parts diagram and look at the notes accompanying the superseded part listing. At a guess, it probably says to blank off the extra fitting.

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

I should have clarified - the extra plastic tube doesn’t look like a fitting that’s designed to have a hose attached to it. It doesn’t have a barbed shape (unlike the inlet fitting on the top, which is barbed). The tube is completely smooth and straight-sided, so even with a hose clamp I struggle to imagine a hose fitting onto it securely.

Has anyone fitted a carbon canister to a VR6, or own a VAG car whose carbon canister has this tube? Can you confirm my strong suspicion that nothing is meant to be fitted to it?

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

So I’ve finally got around to doing the job.

It turns out that the OEM carbon canister has an invisible hole in that corner that I couldn’t see until the canister was removed.

They’ve obviously decided that the hole would benefit from the protection of a tube, perhaps to reduce the risk of dirt or water ingress.

[Bill]

Very timely thread for me, I've just got a new N80 valve from GSF...

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Bill said:

Very timely thread for me, I've just got a new N80 valve from GSF...

I was amused to note that the third-party N80 valve I bought was an identical Valeo part, but with the Audi rings and VW logo scratched off. Same part from the same factory, but a quarter of the price.

I had to watch a YouTube video to figure out how to disconnect the electrical connector (having tried and failed using a screwdriver). It’s remarkably similar to undoing a bra, in the sense that you have to squeeze the two ends together to reduce the tension, then you can use your thumb to release the little catch and it’ll slide out. I dare say with practice you could indeed do it whilst pissed, with one hand, without looking, and in the dark!

The hoses were very tight on the fittings and seemed stuck in place. I found a blast from a heat gun helped, then twist them to break them free. I used a little squirt of silicone spray to make them slide back on nicely.

I took an instant dislike to the OEM hose clamps, so I used Jubilee clips when refitting. This was fine, up to the point where I dropped my screwdriver and it clattered right down to the undertray. Fortunately Mrs Oxgreen has skinnier arms than me and could just get to it.

If you’re replacing the N80 valve it might be worth doing the carbon canister at the same time, because I’ve read that an old canister can release powder that contaminates the N80 downstream. Likewise, the third-party canister is much cheaper than the “genuine” part. I bet an aquarium filter would do the same job.

Despite my general incompetence it was a straightforward job, and the car still runs the same. Time will tell whether the intermittent fault code returns.

[Bill]

Given how well things are going so far I'll stick with the valve...


(Was going near GSF so I ordered the valve. Took off the old one which was straightforward apart from the outlet pipe which is hard plastic with no clip. That was a bugger! Skinned a knuckle when it went. Then realised I'd got the wrong valve. Then looked on the website again and spotted the obvious "this doesn't fit your car" banner. It's over an hour round trip but fortunately the nice man gave me a refund despite the open packaging. Although he didn't have the right one. So I got home and put it back together (hard pipe again a bugger despite getting it hot enough to burn my thumb). Thankfully I had my wife's car to do the running around in so I have the correct part number and have ordered it off the interweb.)

And breath!

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

You sound like the same kind of home mechanic as me!

I take “this part doesn’t fit your car” as a challenge rather than a warning…

[Bill]

The bracket was at 90° compared to the correct one. I considered a Dremel and a cable tie but then saw the plug was different too.