How can I vent my tank without getting a gas smell?

[Mecom Racer]

I have a 21 gal. fuel cell that I have vented through a metal tube at the top with what I thought would be a high enough bend (8"-10" above the tank) to keep fuel from spilling out...

...but when cornering fast with anything more than a half tank, I get fuel dripping out of my vent tube that exits into my wheelwell. Plus it makes my garage smell like gasoling from venting into the atmosphere. Any way I can fix this or is this pretty normal?

Anyone have pics of their fuel tank venting solutions?

[Twin_Turbo]

the best way would be to do what the factory did, run a line to the front and hook it to a charcoal canister and then hook the charcoal canister to the intake vaccum and have a purge solenoid switch the line to open when the engine is running. If you're all about safety also install a vent line check valve.

[parsonsj]

I'm going to give this product a try.

It's a Marine fuel/air separator. It is designed to allow boat tanks to be filled without gasoline coming out of the vent. It also works with fuel agitation due to waves and such. If there is still a smell, then you can add the charcoal canister (btw, anybody got a source or pn for one?) to the output of the fuel/air separator.

Cost is about $80.

jp

[Mecom Racer]

Originally Posted by parsonsj

I'm going to give this product a try.

It's a Marine fuel/air separator. It is designed to allow boat tanks to be filled without gasoline coming out of the vent. It also works with fuel agitation due to waves and such. If there is still a smell, then you can add the charcoal canister (btw, anybody got a source or pn for one?) to the output of the fuel/air separator.

Cost is about $80.

jp

That thing looks like it would work only if it were mounted above the fuel tank so fuel could leak back down into the tank via gravity. My problem is that gaining access to that area inside my car would require some serious time and effort, even possibly destroying some of my carpet... bummer.

[parsonsj]

No doubt it is designed to be above the tank. I'm wondering how any vent line could work below the tank.

Carpet? Where is your tank located?

[Mecom Racer]

Originally Posted by parsonsj

No doubt it is designed to be above the tank. I'm wondering how any vent line could work below the tank.

Carpet? Where is your tank located?

It's behind the seats, under a panel which is under the carpet... I put a 3/16" metal vent line from where the red plug is to an 8" vertical loop under the filler neck, which then goes straight down into the rear wheelwell. Unfotunately I didn't take any pics after I put it in.

[parsonsj]

Is the 8" loop above the tank? If so, replace the loop with the separator, and run the output of the separator into the wheelwell. If a smell persists put a charcoal filter on the output line. Does that work?

jp

[Mecom Racer]

Originally Posted by parsonsj

Is the 8" loop above the tank? If so, replace the loop with the separator, and run the output of the separator into the wheelwell. If a smell persists put a charcoal filter on the output line. Does that work?

jp

Well, maybe 6" and that's the problem.. gaining access to this area again. The interior guy glued all the loop carpet down and it gets destroyed when you pull it up. I really can't access this area again. The smell isn't as much a bother as the fuel escaping on turns.

[parsonsj]

Ah. OK, now I get it. (note to self: ask interior guy about intentions re: glued down carpet). Plus you're in a '63 Vette. Nice car, btw.

So ... not much I can see to do. If the gas that escapes the tank via the vent line doesn't have a way to return to the tank, then eventually it will make its way to the outside. Twin Sting's idea of using the OEM technique of routing the gas/vapor to the intake manifold and burning it may be the only solution you got.

jp

[parsonsj]

Well ... only if 1 3/4 x 6 is huge. Normally your vent loop is bigger than that.

I'll have to dig up those part numbers for the canister on the other site. Wonder how big that thing is?

jp