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1984 VW Rabbit GTI EVAP and High Fuel Pressure Problem

My vehicle is a pre-OBD 1 1984 VW Rabbit GTI using E10 fuel. I've maintained it since it was new and am the original owner. I've been struggling with excessive fuel tank pressures, especially in the summer month temperatures.

I've changed the carbon canister twice in 170K miles. The problem became evident with 90's MTBE and later with E10. Will a second EVAP carbon canister installed solve the issue? And, will it violate the equipment rules for smog check? I trying to solve the problem with going the extra mile but need to keep the car smog legal.

Answer:

Adding a second evap canister will cause your VW Rabbit to fail the visual inspection portion of the smog check. We'd recommend dropping the fuel tank and inspecting the hoses/lines to and from the tank. Check the return line from the EVAP canister for pinching; or perhaps gunk build-up, not allowing vapor to return to the tank thus saturating the EVAP canister. If your VW Rabbit is equipped with a Fuel Expansion Tank, inspect this component as well. The expansion tank accommodates the expansion and contraction of fuel in the tank due to temperature and pressure changes. A properly functioning expansion tank should vent fuel tank vapors to the charcoal canister as needed. posted by SmogTips Support

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