AtvJim

Anyone ever disassemble the carbon canister? I have a new filter which goes inside, I just cannot get the thing open.

Thoughts?
Jim

PredatorZ

I have been planning on tearing one apart and replacing the charcoal inside with activated carbon for fish tank filters. I replaced the one on my 280zx with one from a 300zx z31, it had an extra purge tap/ nipple that I have open at the moment.

The filter I believe you are talking about is a small fiber circle, kind of like the material a gas furnace filters are made of, it slips into the bottom of the canister.
The FSM also goes over troubleshooting one, mine must have been clogged or something I was getting terrible gas fumes after I shut the car off, changed the canister and the smell went away. I had been trying to figure out what was causing the smell for months. Was nice to finally figure it out.

AtvJim

I will look at the FSM and see if it explains how to get the canister apart. Yes, I have the circular filter for the canister and it is like a furnace filter. I just need to figure how to get that canister apart.

PredatorZ

You don't take it apart, it just slides under the plastic strips on the bottom, the canister is not designed to be taken apart, the top is servicable, you can replace a diaphragm if it cracked, but as far as I can find, no way to open it up, unless you do it destructively, which was my plan, so I could empty out old charcoal and replace it. This one has the filter removed, it would fit where I have my finger, that plastic bar will hold it in, it tucks up under the rim, there is a recessed area about 1/4th inch tucks in, its really easy to replace

AtvJim

My 1985 300zx has a sealed bottom. It is different from the one you pictured.