What is the purpose of this?
- Thread starter X19
- Start date
JNewm
True Classic
The braided hoses and plastic reservoir things? The workshop manual calls those plastic reservoirs "separators." I think it's designed to let air/vapor in and out of the tank safely without letting any liquid gas out. They run to a charcoal canister mounted on the back side of the engine bay, which filters and then vents to the atmosphere. At least that's my (mostly uninformed non-expert!) impression.
X19
True Classic
They are currently not in use. Some pre owner bypassed them. Dont see any use of them now
johnph
True Classic
Its part of the evaporative emissions control system. If you hook it up properly, your garaged car will not smell like vaporized gasoline after a hot run. These systems were required on cars sold in the USA starting in model year 1974. Similar systems are used is most first world countries.
Dr.Jeff
True Classic
Unless the rest of that vapor system is working properly it isn't too effective at eliminating the fumes. It is a rather complex system with a lot of components and attachments. Unfortunately I've never found one that was complete, in good condition, connected correctly, or working properly after all these years. One of the primary aspects is the charcoal canister, which technically should be replaced after time/use. But they aren't available. It's mostly personal preference what to do about it, unless you happen to live where strick inspections require everything emissions related to be stock and working. Although I doubt many inspectors will know the difference with this system.
LarryC
Curator of #10105275
I have my emissions controls hooked up and working fine. So it is possible. One thing I like about driving the X is the fact that no matter how hot, there is no fuel smell in the garage. I can't say that about some of my other vintage vehicles. It's a wionderfully effective system and well worth maintaining.
Attachments
kmead
Old enough to know better
The system is entirely passive so it has not negative effect on the performance of the car.
One of the few mandated systems from that time which were effective and didn’t make the car unpleasant to drive.
One could argue that our current high horsepower engines were enabled by emissions control requirements as it effectively moved cars from simple carbs to carefully managed fuel injection systems but that is another discussion.
One of the few mandated systems from that time which were effective and didn’t make the car unpleasant to drive.
One could argue that our current high horsepower engines were enabled by emissions control requirements as it effectively moved cars from simple carbs to carefully managed fuel injection systems but that is another discussion.
Jeff Stich
True Classic
That hot air supply hose is a key piece of how the evap/charcoal system works.
tvmaster
True Classic
I'll ask the stupid question - where's the charcoal cannister, and how would one know if it needs service?
dllubin
Don
I think that the hot air nipple on the cannister is close enough to the header that it gets enough hot air to operate. In any event, no smell of gas fumes.