#1  
Old 03-06-2023, 11:10 AM
TA-71 TA-71 is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 507
Default 70 Trans Am strong fuel odor after driving.

I have a new to me 70 Trans Am, RA3 4-speed. Trying to sort out some issues. First up is a VERY strong fuel odor after driving. Not as noticeable under the hood, seems to be from the rear of the car, gas tank area. I have checked the rubber lines under the passenger seat, they seem fine, no leaks.

Any suggestions before I drop the tank to check all the lines?

__________________
1971 Trans Am - Sold
1977 Can Am - Sold
2002 Trans Am Firehawk - Sold
2004 GTO - Sold
2006 GTO - Sold
1970 GTO - Sold
1972 Trans Am - Sold
1970 Trans Am - Current Project
  #2  
Old 03-06-2023, 11:19 AM
Formulabruce's Avatar
Formulabruce Formulabruce is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: North East of AMES PERFORMANCE, in the "SHIRE"
Posts: 9,363
Default

This have EEC? Seen those plastic "boxes" leak with modern fuel, and its warm enough there to vaporize it instantly.

__________________
"The Future Belongs to those who are STILL Willing to get their Hands Dirty" .. my Grandfather
  #3  
Old 03-06-2023, 11:43 AM
TA-71 TA-71 is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 507
Default

This was a California car, so yes it has the EEC. The canister under the hood has been disconnected, I guess I will need to figure this out as well.

__________________
1971 Trans Am - Sold
1977 Can Am - Sold
2002 Trans Am Firehawk - Sold
2004 GTO - Sold
2006 GTO - Sold
1970 GTO - Sold
1972 Trans Am - Sold
1970 Trans Am - Current Project
  #4  
Old 03-06-2023, 01:54 PM
mlewisariz mlewisariz is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Chino Valley,Az
Posts: 64
Default

All 5 hose connections can be seen and serviced without dropping the tank. Two are from the sending unit which is hard piped from the top to the two longer hoses on the upper front passenger side. Three other connections are short pieces connecting to chassis mounted hard lines. Best to have a lift for easier access.

__________________
1970 Trans Am RAIII 4/spd Blue/Blue Van Nuys built
1977 Can AM 400ci Sunroof car
1973 Grand Prix 400 A/T (Parting out)
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to mlewisariz For This Useful Post:
  #5  
Old 03-06-2023, 04:16 PM
Formulabruce's Avatar
Formulabruce Formulabruce is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: North East of AMES PERFORMANCE, in the "SHIRE"
Posts: 9,363
Default

The EEC is ABOVE the factory crossflow Muffler, and is the Piece I am talking about. It is 1970 Cailf car only. Also used a canister up front, but smell is out back.
I have a set up off a 1970 Formula if you need pics.
These were FACTORY installed in California built AND Norwood built Firebirds Sold in California.

Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	20230306_152818.jpg
Views:	322
Size:	54.0 KB
ID:	608451   Click image for larger version

Name:	20230306_152752.jpg
Views:	360
Size:	38.6 KB
ID:	608453  

__________________
"The Future Belongs to those who are STILL Willing to get their Hands Dirty" .. my Grandfather

Last edited by Formulabruce; 03-06-2023 at 04:39 PM.
  #6  
Old 03-06-2023, 05:09 PM
TA-71 TA-71 is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 507
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Formulabruce View Post
The EEC is ABOVE the factory crossflow Muffler, and is the Piece I am talking about. It is 1970 Cailf car only. Also used a canister up front, but smell is out back.
I have a set up off a 1970 Formula if you need pics.
These were FACTORY installed in California built AND Norwood built Firebirds Sold in California.

Can this be bypassed? Or is it something that is needed?

__________________
1971 Trans Am - Sold
1977 Can Am - Sold
2002 Trans Am Firehawk - Sold
2004 GTO - Sold
2006 GTO - Sold
1970 GTO - Sold
1972 Trans Am - Sold
1970 Trans Am - Current Project
  #7  
Old 03-06-2023, 05:25 PM
Formulajones's Avatar
Formulajones Formulajones is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 10,794
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by TA-71 View Post
This was a California car, so yes it has the EEC. The canister under the hood has been disconnected, I guess I will need to figure this out as well.
That's probably the start of the issue. Sounds like it's been monkeyed with. Not surprising to see that, as most people really don't understand how that system functions to vent the tank and quickly start removing parts and disconnecting hoses.

With it all hooked up and working properly, you won't have any gas smell.

My 70 Formula built and sold in California has all the stuff Formulabruce mentioned, hooked up and working.

Me personally, I'd go through the whole system checking lines and get everything hooked back up as it should be and go from there.

__________________
2019 Pontiac Heaven class winner

https://youtu.be/XqEydRRRwqE
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Formulajones For This Useful Post:
  #8  
Old 03-06-2023, 05:37 PM
TA-71 TA-71 is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 507
Default

Does anyone know if a replacement canister that mounts above the tank, is it available today? or something that would function in its place?

__________________
1971 Trans Am - Sold
1977 Can Am - Sold
2002 Trans Am Firehawk - Sold
2004 GTO - Sold
2006 GTO - Sold
1970 GTO - Sold
1972 Trans Am - Sold
1970 Trans Am - Current Project
  #9  
Old 03-06-2023, 05:47 PM
Formulajones's Avatar
Formulajones Formulajones is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 10,794
Default

If you're referring to the piece that Formulabruce pictured, I think they call that the separator assembly.

I don't recall seeing those sold new anywhere but I would think they would be. You can buy the charcoal cannisters new so I would think the separator would be available somewhere.

__________________
2019 Pontiac Heaven class winner

https://youtu.be/XqEydRRRwqE
  #10  
Old 03-06-2023, 05:48 PM
Formulabruce's Avatar
Formulabruce Formulabruce is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: North East of AMES PERFORMANCE, in the "SHIRE"
Posts: 9,363
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by TA-71 View Post
Does anyone know if a replacement canister that mounts above the tank, is it available today? or something that would function in its place?
The EEC set up ( separator) in my pics? No, not available aftermarket because of the '75 and older rule in calif? I think that's the cut off for must have all the emission.
I would sell what I have in the pic if needed and it has never seen any alcohol fuel. Obviously new high heat fuel lines are required. You should be able to get it going without too much trouble. Does your car have the EEC unit and the front canister still in the car?

__________________
"The Future Belongs to those who are STILL Willing to get their Hands Dirty" .. my Grandfather
  #11  
Old 03-06-2023, 07:37 PM
TA-71 TA-71 is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 507
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Formulabruce View Post
The EEC set up ( separator) in my pics? No, not available aftermarket because of the '75 and older rule in calif? I think that's the cut off for must have all the emission.
I would sell what I have in the pic if needed and it has never seen any alcohol fuel. Obviously new high heat fuel lines are required. You should be able to get it going without too much trouble. Does your car have the EEC unit and the front canister still in the car?
Yes it still has the EEC and the front canister, so I hope I can get this reconnected and working without too many issues.

Anyone have a diagram on how this all hooks up?

__________________
1971 Trans Am - Sold
1977 Can Am - Sold
2002 Trans Am Firehawk - Sold
2004 GTO - Sold
2006 GTO - Sold
1970 GTO - Sold
1972 Trans Am - Sold
1970 Trans Am - Current Project
  #12  
Old 03-07-2023, 04:40 PM
TA-71 TA-71 is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 507
Default

Looking for a diagram on how the EEC system is laid out.

__________________
1971 Trans Am - Sold
1977 Can Am - Sold
2002 Trans Am Firehawk - Sold
2004 GTO - Sold
2006 GTO - Sold
1970 GTO - Sold
1972 Trans Am - Sold
1970 Trans Am - Current Project
  #13  
Old 03-08-2023, 03:20 AM
Formulabruce's Avatar
Formulabruce Formulabruce is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: North East of AMES PERFORMANCE, in the "SHIRE"
Posts: 9,363
Default

I have that but cant get to it for a few days. May be in the 70 Firebird suplement manual.

__________________
"The Future Belongs to those who are STILL Willing to get their Hands Dirty" .. my Grandfather
The Following User Says Thank You to Formulabruce For This Useful Post:
  #14  
Old 03-10-2023, 11:38 AM
TA-71 TA-71 is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 507
Default

Can someone tell me the correct size fuel line hose and the hose size for the vapor lines?

__________________
1971 Trans Am - Sold
1977 Can Am - Sold
2002 Trans Am Firehawk - Sold
2004 GTO - Sold
2006 GTO - Sold
1970 GTO - Sold
1972 Trans Am - Sold
1970 Trans Am - Current Project
  #15  
Old 03-12-2023, 12:27 PM
giles's Avatar
giles giles is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: MI
Posts: 1,039
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by TA-71 View Post
Can this be bypassed? Or is it something that is needed?
This “vapor separator” is intended to keep liquid gasoline from making its way to the canister. Liquid fuel can deactivate the charcoal. Unfortunately the 70 only California-only separator was replaced by the standpipe set up behind the rear seat on all 71 and later 2nd gens. I suspect once you connect everything your fuel smell issue will be solved.

  #16  
Old 03-12-2023, 01:22 PM
Formulas Formulas is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,659
Default

Do you have a vented fuel cap ?

__________________
A man who falls for everything stands for nothing.
  #17  
Old 03-12-2023, 01:35 PM
johnta1's Avatar
johnta1 johnta1 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: now sunny Florida!
Posts: 21,237
Default

Send me an email and I can send you some pics from assembly manual.


johnta1@wallaceracing.com



__________________
John Wallace - johnta1
Pontiac Power RULES !!!
www.wallaceracing.com

Winner of Top Class at Pontiac Nationals, 2004 Cordova
Winner of Quick 16 At Ames 2004 Pontiac Tripower Nats

KRE's MR-1 - 1st 5 second Pontiac block ever!


"Every man has a right to his own opinion, but no man has a right to be wrong in his facts."

"People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid." – Socrates
The Following User Says Thank You to johnta1 For This Useful Post:
  #18  
Old 03-13-2023, 09:31 AM
TA-71 TA-71 is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 507
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Formulas View Post
Do you have a vented fuel cap ?
No it is non-vented

__________________
1971 Trans Am - Sold
1977 Can Am - Sold
2002 Trans Am Firehawk - Sold
2004 GTO - Sold
2006 GTO - Sold
1970 GTO - Sold
1972 Trans Am - Sold
1970 Trans Am - Current Project
  #19  
Old 03-13-2023, 09:34 AM
TA-71 TA-71 is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 507
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by johnta1 View Post
Send me an email and I can send you some pics from assembly manual.


johnta1@wallaceracing.com


Email sent

__________________
1971 Trans Am - Sold
1977 Can Am - Sold
2002 Trans Am Firehawk - Sold
2004 GTO - Sold
2006 GTO - Sold
1970 GTO - Sold
1972 Trans Am - Sold
1970 Trans Am - Current Project
  #20  
Old 03-13-2023, 10:59 AM
johnta1's Avatar
johnta1 johnta1 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: now sunny Florida!
Posts: 21,237
Default

My emails were getting bounced back.

Try this link:

1970 Vapor Separator



__________________
John Wallace - johnta1
Pontiac Power RULES !!!
www.wallaceracing.com

Winner of Top Class at Pontiac Nationals, 2004 Cordova
Winner of Quick 16 At Ames 2004 Pontiac Tripower Nats

KRE's MR-1 - 1st 5 second Pontiac block ever!


"Every man has a right to his own opinion, but no man has a right to be wrong in his facts."

"People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid." – Socrates
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:03 AM.

 

About Us

The PY Online Forums is the largest online gathering of Pontiac enthusiasts anywhere in the world. Founded in 1991, it was also the first online forum for people to gather and talk about their Pontiacs. Since then, it has become the mecca of Pontiac technical data and knowledge that no other place can surpass.

 




Copyright © 2017