Charcoal Canister: Need to add back in?

[photochaser]

The '99 Valk T I just got smalls of gas, bad. It's not the tank cap seal. So maybe the charcoal canister is missing...

I looked around and under the bike. Low and behold a bunch of tubes going nowhere and a bracket that once had something attached. I need two things from you folks:

1. Has anybody else found that removing this canister causes strong gas smell? If not, where else should I look? If so, where can I get a new one? The spot on the bike is underside between the engine and the rear wheel.

2. Please confirm that these photos are of the bracket where the original canister went.






Thanks!
Jeff

[gordonv]

From what I remember of my Cali IS, that looks like the canister mount.

As for the rest, don't know.

I would look over the service manual and the parts fiche for the non-Cali model tube locations, and follow them back, see what was done.

Convert it to the non-Cali model.

[photochaser]

That sounds like a good idea. I mean, all those non-CA Valks out there can't all smell like gas. So if I can figure out how those are plumbed and duplicate it, I should be good.

Do people remove their canisters because they clog and cause a vacuum in the gas tank? Or is there some other reason they remove them?

[Valkorado]

The canister is removed during a full desmog.  Check intake runner o-rings. 

EDIT:
Also could be fuel rail o-rings.  Some good info. here:
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,51902.0.html

[photochaser]

Valkorado, I'm pretty new to this. Where/what are the intake runner o-rings?

[gordonv]

Look over your engine. A Desmog is the removal of most of the vacuum lines.

There should be a link in the ShopTalk area.

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/desmog.htm  (sorry, was supposed to be a link, not my pic)

Hopefully will explain more.

[Jess from VA]

Most gas smells turn out to be a worn/old/crushed gas cap gasket.  You can get a skinny wide Oring and stick it over the underside of the cap, or cut some inner tube and sister it on top of what's on there.  If you drop little bitty screws in the tank, you'll be sorry. 

I doubt your smell is from a removed smog canister.  Did gas ever run to/through it?

[photochaser]

I don't know if gas ever ran through the canister. I think I'm the third owner with a Honda dealership between the guy I bought it from and someone before him.

I'll try the gas cap again.

[Ramie]

When I first got my I/S I noticed a gas smell every time I stopped at a light, it ended up that all the intake boots and air box boots where loose just had to tighten down all 18 of them.

[Ricky-D]

Don't be so quick to discount the gas cap sealing. 99% of the time, it is the gas cap seal that's the cause of the gas smell.

***

[photochaser]

I picked up some gasket material and put it in place (Have not secured it there yet... best adhesive?)

I'm asking Ramie to guide me a bit on what he tightened.

It does seem to be coming from more than one place. But then, smells are like that. So I'm going after everything at once that doesn't cost much.

[BigM]

Most likely the gas cap seal. I had the same smell.

[Valkorado]

I picked up some gasket material and put it in place (Have not secured it there yet... best adhesive?)

I'm asking Ramie to guide me a bit on what he tightened.

It does seem to be coming from more than one place. But then, smells are like that. So I'm going after everything at once that doesn't cost much.

Check out the engine in your avatar.  See the black bands (basically just hose clamps) on each runner?  Those need to be tightened snug with a screwdriver.  There are a couple more just above the bands also, so six on each side that you can easily get to.  You'll need to remove the tank to get to the other six screws.

[photochaser]

The gasket material has certainly knocked down the smell! I'm not 100% certain this is the only source, but it absolutely was contributing.

What is a good adhesive for attaching the gasket material to the original gasket?

[photochaser]

Thanks Valkorado! Funny that my avatar serves as the guide. 

[da prez]

Knowing what I have learned from this board   ,I would start fresh. With parts missing , I would   do a complete   description smog. Do not trust the work of others and never a dealership .  It looks like a decent smog attempt .  
  Bite the bullet and   start   fresh. Take your time   and  do   a complete de smog by the book. You will have fewer problems down the road.

             da.prez
   I hate an I pad with spell check.

[photochaser]

Well, it's official. The smell is gone. I put a gasket on the existing gasket and tightened the lower intake clams.

Thanks to all for your help!!!