Fuel vent pipe - 2000TC

W

Willy Eckerslyke

Well-Known Member
I could do some advice please.
My 1972 2000TC started smelling of petrol after filling the tank. Initially it only lingered for a short while but has suddenly got a lot worse. I removed the trim panel from the boot allowing access to the tank and am sure the smell is coming from the right hand side - i.e. opposite the filler. There's a vent pipe clipped across the top of the tank then disappearing from sight down the front of the tank at the far right. By undoing the rubber connection beside the filler pipe, I can blow down this pipe and hear air coming out unrestricted somewhere in this hidden area on the right. It sounds as if the pipe is completely open there.
(The same test on my identical project car does not sound like this at all - more restricted and no loud hiss.)
To access that corner I'd have to remove the tank. But before I do so, can anyone tell me where the pipe is supposed to go? If it just loops round, can I reroute a new pipe without having to remove the tank? Or does it go into the tank in that far corner?

Grateful for any help, as usual. :)
 
Sorted.
Turns out that the pipe passes down through the floor of the car. From the underside, you see about 3" of it protruding near the tank connectors.
Some idiot had burnt a hole in it while welding the outside of the wheelarch a couple of years ago. :oops: Talk about a narrow escape! :eek:
After welding, I'd blasted Dinitrol wax around the area so can only assume that had temporarily blocked the hole in the pipe until recently.

I salvaged a replacement pipe from my spares car and managed to fit it by feeding it upwards from under the car, then pulling it through into the boot. Done in minutes without needing to remove the tank, which was a relief.
 
I think it is meant to loop upwards ( as an anti-syphon measure ) in the left rear pillar, and then run vertically downwards to emerge at the front edge of the left rear wing
 
christopher storey said:
I think it is meant to loop upwards ( as an anti-syphon measure ) in the left rear pillar, and then run vertically downwards to emerge at the front edge of the left rear wing
Click to expand...
That's why I was confused, all the diagrams I can find show it routed that way. Perhaps that's what it does on earlier cars. On these (all 3 of my Series 2, 2000TCs) it loops upwards as you say behind the left pillar, but then runs across the top of the tank to drop vertically to emerge on the right.

Testrider's photo of his 3500 is the same (it's the open ended pipe):
DSCN4817.jpg

From this topic:
viewtopic.php?t=8987

While it was undone, I tried blowing through the pipe in the other direction - i.e. towards the loop. This quickly built up pressure which was released when I flipped the fuel cap open. So I'm happy that there are no leaks in that section of vent pipe.
 
ooh, that's horribly near the potentially red hot brake disc . Don't like that routing. Mine BTW probably confirms your thoughts as it is a late S1, so maybe it was altered for the S2
 
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