What is this fuel pipe for, and why does it not go anywhere?

[MrOtter]

Hi guys n gals,

To do some welding on the passenger inner sill on my touring, I had to remove the metal fuel pipe that runs along just behind it. That is, the one that runs separate to the other three lines that run together along the underside of the car from the back to the front.

It was really rusty and ended up snapping off at the tank end when I tried to un-do the jubilee clip at that end (no problem, I was going to replace the whole pipe anyway). However, after I'd unclipped the pipe all the way along and worked my way to the engine bay, I found that the small section of rubber hose on the end of the steel pipe was just floating round in the engine bay, not connected to anything.

I traced the line all the way back and I can see that it runs over the top of the fuel tank and in to the top of the plastic overflow/vent tank thingy that's in the top of the rear driver's wheel arch. I don't really understand how that whole overflow/vent system works though, which doesn't help...

Can anyone tell me where this pipe is meant to connect to in the engine bay please and what it actually does? or why it was just floating round doing nothing? The car seemed to be running fine before I took it all apart...

Cheers

[gromgsxr]

tank breather i fink, with the cat cars i believe it connects up to a carbon can.

[parkin10]

goes to the carbon evaporation canister - not fitted in the uk
I left it off mine and then used the pipe clips for my lpg fuel pipe instead

[Brianmoooore]

goes to the carbon evaporation canister - not fitted in the uk

It's fitted on all post '08/92 E30s, and on any other facelift E30 originally bought by a tree hugger.
It can be removed and disposed of though without upsetting the MOT man.
The pipe can be removed as far as the rear beam without any ill effects. Just leave the rubber hose on the end and tuck it up so that iot won't get blocked.