Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Australia Forum

Technical => 116 Series (Alfetta Sedan/GT/GTV & Giulietta Sedan) => Topic started by: Bob Morey on October 06, 2009, 06:33:49 PM

Title: Mystery tank
Post by: Bob Morey on October 06, 2009, 06:33:49 PM
I have a '76 Alfetta GT which has a tank under the trim on the rear package shelf - see attached photo.  What is this tank for?

Thanks
Bob
Title: Re: Mystery tank
Post by: a sharp on October 06, 2009, 06:48:46 PM
Bob,
This is part of the fuel tank breather system, and from part of the emitions control required by ADR's at the time.
Title: Re: Mystery tank
Post by: alfagtv152 on October 06, 2009, 07:06:56 PM
Hi Bob,
As Anthony said it is part of the petrol tank vapour recovery system,there is a hose from the filler neck to the tank and then a little hose with one way valve attatched in a T that runs all the way through the car to that little pipe on top of the inlet manifold which connects to the cam cover where the air cleaner is supposed to draw it off into the carbs.
Cheers
Andrew
Title: Re: Mystery tank
Post by: Bob Morey on October 06, 2009, 08:37:04 PM
Thanks guys, the hose from the tank has been cut & sealed at what must be the one way valve.  Maybe this is why I sometimes smell fuel in the car.
It seems a complicated system.
Title: Re: Mystery tank
Post by: alfagtv152 on October 06, 2009, 09:29:15 PM
Hi Bob,
Some people just take the hose from the filler neck and run in a loop above the filler neck then back out the wheel arch area bottom with the filler overflow drain hose.Should not have any vapours in the car then.
Cheers
Andrew
Title: Re: Mystery tank
Post by: Bob Morey on October 07, 2009, 10:04:05 AM
I might re-route the plumbing that way Andrew.  The set up now is certainly not doing anything.

Bob
Title: Re: Mystery tank
Post by: kenh on October 07, 2009, 10:53:20 AM
I'd also like to thank you guys for the information. I have started pulling down my '76 GT and although I haven't pulled the back seat and parcel shelf off yet, I did notice the plastic pipe running down the passenger side and wondered what it was for.

cheers,

Ken
Title: Re: Mystery tank
Post by: Paul Newby on October 07, 2009, 11:32:02 AM
I still have my breather tank connected to the fuel tank on my Group S race car. Obviously I've disconnected the pipe to the inlet manifold.

I suspect that scurineers would take a dim view of a supplementary overflow hose... I don't get any vapours inside the car.
Title: Re: Mystery tank
Post by: alfagtv152 on October 07, 2009, 07:01:33 PM
Hi Paul,
Cams requirements under Schedule A say each fuel tank will be vented externally to the body work.The method I mentioned is the easiest way to do this.If you have disconnected it under the bonnet then you dont have any vapour recovery happening any way and your tank is vented at the engine bay if not in the car where ever the hose finnishes.Scrutineers are looking for compliance with Cams requirements not so much emissions control.I know which one I choose.
Cheers
Andrew
Title: Re: Mystery tank
Post by: Paul Newby on October 08, 2009, 10:02:51 AM
Andrew,
I have taken out the pipe that runs from the breather tank to the engine bay. But it is still connected to the petrol tank. I've never had any vapuor in side the car. Never had a scrutineering issue either. So it stays put...
Paul
Title: Re: Mystery tank
Post by: alfagtv152 on October 08, 2009, 06:58:39 PM
Hi Paul,
If the hose only goes from the filler neck to the vapour tank then it is not vented external to the body,it is in fact vented into the car.If your happy with that,at least you know.
Cheers
Andrew