LRA 24 gallon aux tank removal

[prharper]

Today was the big day to tackle the takedown of my LRA auxiliary tank. For the past few years I've been getting a random P2420 code. Sometimes I can go 6 months or more before it comes back. On my last roadtrip in March, I was going down I-95 and hit a large bump and my dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree and the message to go visit the dealer. Coincidence? Pulled the codes and got just about all the EVAP codes below:

I've been dealing with resets about every 3-4 days since, PITA. In another EVAP thread on this forum, I posted some photos from my borescope that showed some potential damage to the wiring harness going to the charcoal canister. I've been stocking up on EVAP related parts for the past year knowing I would at some point need to drop the LRA and potentially replace the CC.

Note: I upgraded the breather filter behind the rear passenger wheel well a few years ago and never saw the OEM CC filter in the middle of above photo. Figured maybe it was hidden somewhere else. When I dropped the tank, I confirmed that the installer did not re-use it. Also have heard that LRA doesn't recommend it anymore either. I didn't install it today.

A few days ago, I soaked the bolts and nuts on the tank with Kroil.
A few weeks ago I modified my new wiring harness, the section that I could see was damaged with the borescope. Added stainless steel loom to the section that goes from CC wire harness to the new harness, part 82163-60500 for 2018 LC. Got more practice de-pinning Toyota connectors.

Cont.

 

[prharper]

Dropping the tank wasn't too bad. The biggest challenge for me was getting the rearmost resonator rubber hanger off. The LRA mounting brace and Slee rear bumper didn't leave much room in the corner to get tools on it. After nearly an hour, I decided to tear off the bottom section that connects to the resonator. The other rubber hanger was much easier.

After dropping the tank, I took a lunch break and went to the local dealer to buy a new rubber hanger. Toyota dealer was no help, didn't have in stock, said they could have it on Tuesday. They wanted $30 for it too.

Went to two other chain auto parts stores and they didn't have much. Got a universal one with two holes. Our trucks have 2 support posts (2 holes) on top and one on the bottom for the exhaust #4.
I'm not quite ready to go for the resonator delete yet but it may end up happening.

The other one #3, was much easier.

I got the tank mounted back up this evening. Still need to take ratchet strap off exhaust and try and get it back on the two hangers in the AM.

More to come on the next thread.

 

[prharper]

Here are some photos of the tank after dropping and some witness marks where things have been rubbing.

Section on left is where the HVAC lines were rubbing. To the right center is where CC harness was rubbing.

More rubbing on the left below.

Wiring harness rub to the CC.

The most recent LRA install directions say that you need to unwrap that section with the blue tape above to get more of an extension on that section of the harness. This was not done by my installer.

Below is the damaged portion of the original harness. (I wrapped this in stainless steel loom on my new harness).

Cont.

 

[prharper]

New charcoal canister weight

Original CC weight:

~ 20 more ounces.
new CC mounted.

Mounting the tank back up was not that bad. I used a transmission jack to get it in place. Then took @TeCKis300 tip on using cord/rope on the different sections to adjust each corner as needed to get into place.

I used 4 of these below to adjust height of each corner to get bolted in place. My son is home from college and I had him on standby in case I needed extra hands but these did the trick for me - solo.

Back to the tank and witness marks. I used
Neoprene Rubber Strips [10 foot lengths] 60A Medium Hardness × 1
1/8" .125" Inches / 4" Inches wide x 10' Feet long
from Rubber Sheet Rolls Strips Neoprene Rubber Sheet Warehouse - https://rubbersheetwarehouse.com
(saw this posted on another thread, I think Eric S. at Ed Martin uses on their installs)

Put strips on the two front mounting tabs with the U bolts. They sit between the frame and LRA mounts, should give a little more clearance. Also added section on the tank where it was rubbing on the HVAC lines and another section on the left of the tank.
Sorry didn't get pictures of this before I mounted it back up.

Put new M10 nuts x 6 on the 3 hangers. Added some dialectic grease to the 2 wires that go to the tank sender. Added some thick red grease on the round sender plate and screws on top of the tank to prevent corrosion. Touched up the tank with POR 15 where the welds showed rust.

Tomorrow, I will get the plumbing re-connected to the aux tank. Button everything back up.

One important note. I inspected the original wiring harness that was damaged. I did not see any breaks in the wires which surprised me given the mangled cable protector sleeve. This is going to make things interesting when I get the truck running and see if the EVAP DTC's are gone.... Stay tuned.

BTW - I personally think the 12 gallon LRA is more difficult to install based on other threads I've seen @Romer and @TeCKis300
This wasn't too bad and thanks to the other forum members that went down this path before and shared their feedback. Much appreciated!