Gasoline Vapors Filter?? 1971 124 Spider

[dparnas]

Just pulled this out of my engine bay for the 1st time, or otherwise, been in there about 39 years.

Says on the side Gasoline Vapors Filter. Looks like the brand is Savara type 5126 30. I did some Google searches and couldn't come up with anything. Couple of questions:

1) What would happen if I just left this out of the car? The output end is open anyway, so I can't imagine it was actually doing any filtering.
2) If I wanted to replace it, anyone have any idea where I would find replacement equipment?

[dparnas]

Just to be clear, this is not in line with the fuel system. The input for this comes from the carburator and I guess it has a charcoal filtration system in it. It is mounted in the engine compartment on the passenger side, between the radiator overflow tank and battery.

[Zmatt]

battery? Aren't those in the trunk?

[dparnas]

Older models, including 1971 had the battery under the hood.

[kmead]

This collects the light hydrocarbons that evaporate from the carburetor in activated carbon inside the canister. When the engine is running the car will pull air through the canister and recover the vapors. Generally it is also attached to a hose leading to the exhaust manifold to provide heated air in the large opening to assist in releasing the hydrocarbons from the carbon.

These have no negative effects from a performance standpoint beyond the small weight penalty. You don't have to use a Savarra one, most any carbon filter for other cars will work but just won't be OE. I would find another one

[Danno]

there's no PERFORMANCE penalty for using one, but what about the aesthetic penalty. The engine bay sure would look cleaner without it. is there a way to remove it without any ill effects?

[kmead]

The negative to removing it is the odor of gasoline will be more notable. Newer ones tend to be smaller, a replacement one will be cad plated and be a trifle more agreeable to see. In addition a new one will likely work better (or actually work) as well.

[baltobernie]

... Generally it is also attached to a hose leading to the exhaust manifold to provide heated air in the large opening to assist in releasing the hydrocarbons from the carbon.

In early Spiders, there are attachments only to carb, return fuel line, and manifold vacuum. There is an opening on the bottom of the canister for (ambient) air entry. The metal one my 73 was clogged, and I replaced it with a plastic one from a later Spider. Some of the aftermarket Weber carbs are vented to the atmosphere, so the engine compartment canister is useless. The system in the trunk controls the fuel tank vapors, and operates independently.

[dparnas]

Total of 3 ports on mine. 1 on the top, which appears to connect to the carb, 2 on the bottom, one of which connects to a metal tube that wraps around the back of the engine, so cannot see where it goes and then the other is just an open port. Does that make sense? After research and the lack of availability of direct replacement units, I decided to just clean mine up, paint and re-install. Will provide pics once done.

[NCArachnid]

I just removed mine from my '72. I plugged the lines that were connected to the carb. I was planning on leaving this off unless it is like the little tags on pillows that threaten death or dismemberment (or is that imprisonment?). Any good reasons to replace it?

[dparnas]

This is why I love forums like this. So many helpful people out there. I did some research on my local Fiat club user group and here is what I learned from Fiat trained mechanics. He does not recommend just removing it and plugging the lines, although does mention it as an option:

"It's the charcoal canister. Because your car is smog exempt, you can remove it. But just removing it will cause a fire hazard. And it does not affect the running of your car UNLESS it is completely saturated with fuel (which after a few hundred miles, if your system is functioning correctly, will be cleaned again.
I don't run a street car without one, but if you do delete it you will need to plug the line AND confirm that the breather system is functioning properly.

There are no new ones exactly like what you have, you might be able to find another used one. I did install a new one for a Fiat club member last year, but they are different & require some fabrication, 4442162 http://www.fiatplus.com/charcoal-cannis ... 79939.html"

[gallera]

I have a 1980 124 and had a "friend" put gasket sealer on the carb and shortly thereafter, my gasoline vapor filter started spewing gas all over the place. LOTS OF IT! I ordered a carb kit and let my car sit for a couple of days. I turned my car on and no gas! I took it for a spin and still no gas. I drove it about 10 miles and got some gas, not as much as before, but still gas. Any advise? All suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

[manoa matt]

The bottom connection is for the gas tank vent line, the middle connection is for the carb float bowl, the small top connection is for vacume. The vacume connection connects to "ported vacume" on the carb. Its the larger of the brass tubes at the base of the carb on the drivers side. Do not hook it to the intake manifold.

Without the charcoal canister you can expect to smell more gasoline vapors. There is no performance gain or loss from having or not having the canister.

[dbm3359]

Just pulled this out of my engine bay for the 1st time, or otherwise, been in there about 39 years.

Says on the side Gasoline Vapors Filter. Looks like the brand is Savara type 5126 30. I did some Google searches and couldn't come up with anything. Couple of questions:

1) What would happen if I just left this out of the car? The output end is open anyway, so I can't imagine it was actually doing any filtering.
2) If I wanted to replace it, anyone have any idea where I would find replacement equipment?

I am seeing the same thing and the line to the top of it is broken. I read on some the other comments something about that it could cause a fire. Did you find any response of what it is? or if it is possible to replace?

Thanks
I am in Oakland and with the same year

[baltobernie]

I would imagine that an intact vapor emissions system is mandatory in California. All of the posts on this thread are accurate. If your 1971 version has a broken line on the top nipple, you also have a vacuum leak in your carburetor, unless you or a PO plugged the line.

It's important to note that different filters were used on different Spider model years, and the attachment diagrams are different. My plastic filter, for example, draws vacuum from the center nipple. The top goes to the carb, the bottom to the fuel tank.

If your car was originally equipped with a vapor emission canister and you remove or defeat it, you must provide another source of "make-up" air to replace the fuel consumed by the engine. Otherwise, your car will starve of fuel, and your fuel tank may be crushed. The easy way to provide (illegal) ventilation is to drill a small hole in your gas filler cap.