Carbon Cannister

Some may consider this a silly question, but what the hell does the carbon canister actually do?

Sure it's to do with emissions and the fuel tank vents to it. A lot of people remove them as age they are some won't work as should

After 1990 you can't vent your tank in to atmosphere (emissions and stuff). So basically all vapour is sucked through carbon canister which from what I remember removes any moisture in to your intake mani. I has got diaphragm controlled valve there which closes when you're boosting. Sometimes on R it causes bad idle and hesitation when gone. Remove throw it away and just blank off those two hoses which are going to manifold. I actually use one for boost gauge other for ebc.