Evaporative Emission Control

[rfkellner@snet.net (Rick Kellner)]

    Since my synthetic oil dilemma was solved today I though I would float
another question out there.  If this one is solved I am sure I can come up
with a few more before the end of the day, in fact, I have a distributor
question I will save for another day.
    Here goes, how critical to the efficient operation of the engine is this
system?  I know there is a breather valve at the fuel filler pipe that lets
vapors fill a tank in the front fender through a hose.  Another hose goes to
the charcoal filter.  Finally, the vapors are sucked into the manifold from
the filter through another valve.  If any of these valves fail is it similar
to a vacuum leak?  Does the charcoal filter ever fail or become saturated?
Has anyone had a fender bender and trashed these components and left them
off?