Drilled Hole into Fuel Vapor Storage Case - Am I ok? (71 FJ40)

[chubby]

Hi,

I retartdedly drilled a hole into the "Fuel Vapor Storage Case" when trying to mount some speakers on the passenger side. There wasnt anything there on the driver's side so I didnt bother to second check.

Anycase, I've got the hole complete with metal shavings in the tank. Am I ok to go on my 100 mi commute tomorrow?

What does this thing do and can I get rid of it?

I have a 71 FJ40 with SBC 350.

Thanks!

 

[Rocky_LC]

You might smell some gas in the cab.

I THINK - it condenses and separates raw gas, and lets it drip into the tank. It also feeds vapors to the charcoal recovery cannister, and then reclaims the raw gas when the system sucks vapors back from the canister.

That's my opinion. I would think you could plug it with a sheet metal screw.

Rocky

 

[Ming89FJ62]

Plug the hole w/ a sheetmetal screw and use some RTV as a gasket.

Don't sweat it.

 

[Hobbs]

Plug the hole w/ a sheetmetal screw and use some RTV as a gasket.

Don't sweat it.

.....and send pic's of the explosion aftermath!


Just kidding. A hole in the vapor tank will leak a little fuel vapor, but a screw will seal it off. No worries.

 

[chubby]

Thanks for the replies. I feel better but I think what I may be most concerned about is the metal shavings that ended up in the tank somehow getting back into engine. I think I'm going to disconnect the two hoses and use paper clips to temporarily seal them until I can get proper caps for the lines. The smell of fumes cant possibly get any worse.

 

[Ming89FJ62]

Chances of chips getting into the tank are minimal and even if they do they would have to get past the "sock" strainer on the feed line from the tank and the inline fuel filter - not going to happen. Screw(s) w/ RTV seal and call it a lesson learned.

 

[Coolerman]

Post up pics of this thing. I have a 71 and it has none of the vapor recovery stuff.

If you have a fuel filter the metal shavings won't get to your carb.

If you were smelling fumes before you drilled the hole then something is not plumbed correctly to begin with...

 

[chubby]

It's this guy right here:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/135514-i-found-thing.html
Supposedly on 09/71+ it switched to the charcoal canister system which is why you may not have it.

And my story continues...
I went to the sheet metal screws and RTV as recommended. I drove to the gas station to get gas today and it wouldnt start up afterwards. Does the fuel system have to be air tight? I thought it was vented. I also noticed that this storage case is overflowing a little.
Any ideas?

 

[fj404life]

Dont smoke and drive.
Seriously...I think you need to go through your gas plumbing.
My 69 has no fuel smell in cab.

 

[DSRTRDR]

Does the fuel system have to be air tight? I thought it was vented. I also noticed that this storage case is overflowing a little.
Any ideas?

it is not vented that I know of

I don't have the back container like you do but the in-seat-back-of-middle-bench vapor return system



you should not smell fuel in the cab; or if you do for an extended time, your nephew will puke

also, something is wrong if you see gas dripping down from your cruiser while you are fueling up at the station (this will only happen if you simultaneously lack the rubber stoppers in the floor )

obviously, I have been there done that in my case, one of the lines gradually got dislodged by vibration

 

[slickrock]

If I have been driving for a while and pull my gas cap off and put it on and try to start with in a minute, I get a long start. It makes a bit of vacuum and the fuel gets sucked back out of the carb I guess. Let it ist for a few and pump the gas, it should start up.