I just don't know what the big thing in the rear bumper of my 97 blazer is and what it does/there for. It is on the driver's side directly under the fuel filler door. It is about 12" long 5" tall and 3-4" wide. It is plastic and has fuel hoses going to and from it, two small and one about an inch in diameter. It is mounted at the very bottom of the quarter panel and is basically hidden behind the driver's side plastic rear bumper cover.

Sorry if this sounds confusing. I just didn't have a chance to take a picture of it yet. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

It is the Evaporative Emission System charcoal canister. It is used to capture fuel vapors that expand out of the tank while the truck is off. While the engine is running, periodically the canister gets purged into the engine, removing previously trapped fuel vapor.

 

so is there any way I can get rid of it? will it do any harm? Also, I don't recall seeing this sort of thing on other cars I've worked on.

Thanks swartlkk very much for the helpful info!

 

Gotta ask what is the motivation for removal? The evap system would not work properly without it.

 

Yah in most states it would fail smog test without it if I recall. It doesnt weigh hardly anything, and is only an issues when it leaks really.

 

Just don't see a point in it, if most cars don't have it, why does this one have to have it? What kind of problems might arise if I remove it?

 

Actually, most cars do have it. You just don't see it.

 

Yah like the same identical unit is on like all gm trucks, vans, and suvs. They are easiest to see on the vans. Cars are so crammed its most likely hidden somewhere like everything else in cars.