I have read that you shouldn't blank off the pipe when removing the carbon canister.
Having inspected where the pipe goes and the fuel expansion tank system I blanked mine off and have suffered no ill affects.
I am about to do the same on my sons' 318iS; in fact I am removing the pipe all the way to the expansion tank because the metal pipe is corroded and am planning to blank it at the expansion tank.
Can anybody please tell me why this is not recommended?
Thanks,
Jon.
Blanking carbon canister pipe.
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 49359
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
If your car runs for a distance without sucking the fuel tank sides in with the only vent blocked off, then there is a leak somewhere. This might just be the seal on the filler cap, or it could be rust on the tank or filler neck.
Thanks for the reply, sorry for late response.
I have taken some time to work out exactly how the whole fuel filler/breather/expansion system works.
I noticed on OEM that the early M40 cars, say 1988, don't have a carbon canister but the piping is installed from the expansion tank to the engine compartment. On the engine compartment end of the pipe, instead of a carbon canister, there is installed a part called an "end piece", 16 13 1 177 514. I ordered the part, expecting a one way valve of some sort. Upon delivery it was found to be purely a tapered piece of tube, totally hollow with no restriction in it at all.
I would have thought that if the car rolled fuel would leak out of this end piece unless it was positioned low enough so that in the event of a roll, it would then be higher than the fuel tank and expansion tank so no fuel could spill.
Any thoughts?
Jon.
I have taken some time to work out exactly how the whole fuel filler/breather/expansion system works.
I noticed on OEM that the early M40 cars, say 1988, don't have a carbon canister but the piping is installed from the expansion tank to the engine compartment. On the engine compartment end of the pipe, instead of a carbon canister, there is installed a part called an "end piece", 16 13 1 177 514. I ordered the part, expecting a one way valve of some sort. Upon delivery it was found to be purely a tapered piece of tube, totally hollow with no restriction in it at all.
I would have thought that if the car rolled fuel would leak out of this end piece unless it was positioned low enough so that in the event of a roll, it would then be higher than the fuel tank and expansion tank so no fuel could spill.
Any thoughts?
Jon.
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 49359
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
It's not exactly a one way valve in the vapour collection tank - it's more of an anti spill valve which closes if the car is inverted, and, before the introduction of all the emissions stuff, around about '87, the vent pipe did end at the rear of the car, around the rear subframe. After '87, E30's were at a minimum, emissions equipment ready, and part of this was the introduction of the vent pipe extended to the front of the car, in readiness for a closed circuit tank vent. system.
When the associated carbon canister and solenoid valve were not fitted, as on most UK models between '87 and mid '91, the rubber hose that would have been connected to the canister, was indeed tucked into the front turret structure and just left open.
All E30s have one of these arrangements, and in the UK at least, there is no regulatory reason why the later version cannot be converted back to the earlier, even if a carbon canister and valve is fitted.
When the associated carbon canister and solenoid valve were not fitted, as on most UK models between '87 and mid '91, the rubber hose that would have been connected to the canister, was indeed tucked into the front turret structure and just left open.
All E30s have one of these arrangements, and in the UK at least, there is no regulatory reason why the later version cannot be converted back to the earlier, even if a carbon canister and valve is fitted.