Should the charcoal canister located in front (driver side) be cleaned?
How often do you check/clean it?

I had a look at the filter located at the end near the vent (round cloth) and it is very dirty. Should that filter be replaced or not? Simply rinsed with water?

What about the lines /hoses that connect to the canister, how can they be tested to make sure they are not kinked or clogged?

Thanks for your tips on how to disconnect the hose to make sure there is no obstructions and whether the canister needs to be cleaned.
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'89 244DL M47 158K miles

There is a procedure to test the unit. Believe I saw this in the Bosh fuel injection book by Benteley. They used a vacuum pump. Only replace if tests fail.
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1990 240 Sdn 277K, 1990 240 Wgn M47II 157K

What about testing the hoses?
Can I just remove them and blow through them?

The filter at the bottom of the canister does not need to be cleaned ever?

Thanks Yama.
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'89 244DL M47 158K miles

If the hoses where leaking it would amount to a vacuum leak. These hoses don't tend to clog like the PCV ones. The canister holds gas vapors and then feeds them back to intake to be burned. Never heard of cleaning the unit and I've never touched mine. If you suspect a problem I think you would need a vacuum pump/gauge to test the check valves that are part of the unit. Remeber seeing this somewhere recently.
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1990 240 Sdn 277K, 1990 240 Wgn M47II 157K

you don't clean the cannister, you replace it when there's a problem. unless you are overrun with gas fumes, leave it alone. good luck, chuck.

What about the 2 hoses that connect to the throttle body. Leave them alone as well? Or can I test them to see if they are unobstructed?
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'89 244DL M47 158K miles