Liquid vapor separator

[Welder]

I'm having pressure issues in the crankcase. For example the new oil cap I installed is still letting a small amount of oil pass onto the cam covers . Also it is trying to push the dipstick out of the block ( I now have that strapped down) . I'm going to change out all the hoses and install a new flame arrestor. My question is, has any one removed the liquid vapor separator from the crankcase and cleaned it. What do you clean it with and does it have a gasket Thanks from NY

[fiatfactory]

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[divace73]

is that flame arrestor thing in all of the fiat twincam models, mine didn't have one???

[fiatfactory]

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[divace73]

Thanks Steve, never having one (mine is a fuel injected spider) do I need one? In technical terms, how is it suppose to work ?

[fiatfactory]

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[Welder]

Thanks Steve C for the quick reply. Does the intake manifold have to be removed to get that vapor separator bolt out

[divace73]

It's purpose is to arrest any flame that may be caused by a back fire or similar, and prevent the flame from travelling down into the crankcase and igniting the fumes in there... the engineer who designed the motor included it for a reason, so probably wise to make sure it has one IMO.

SteveC

Where does it nomally go, I cant think of where it would fit on a FI car?

[bradartigue]

It's purpose is to arrest any flame that may be caused by a back fire or similar, and prevent the flame from travelling down into the crankcase and igniting the fumes in there... the engineer who designed the motor included it for a reason, so probably wise to make sure it has one IMO.

SteveC

Where does it nomally go, I cant think of where it would fit on a FI car?

Same place - inside the hose.

On the FI car the crankcase vapor hose runs from before the throttle plate to the separator. Inside the hose on the end nearest the throttle is the "flame trap" - 4159642 - see page 71 of Microfilm 22b.pdf on my website (http://www.artigue.com/124microfilm/)

[divace73]

many thanks, not ever seeing one, I thought it was much bigger in size, I'll have to look in that hose....and I just ordered a hole heap of stuff from Csaba and that wasn't in it

[TimpanogosSlim]

yeah taking off the intake manifold first makes it much easier.

On my '77, i had to replace the wee elbow hose, and since i had the head off i went ahead and removed the separator.

It was full of sludge. I scraped out most of it with a screwdriver and then washed it with carburetor cleaner.

But my problem was under hard acceleration i would get oil coughed up into the air cleaner.

[sgkent]

shop foreman assigned a job to me to replace valve guides and do a valve job on a 132. (same engine as 124). I checked compression and all was fine, plug colors were normal and I said "Why? Everything looks fine other than all the oil everywhere. What is his complaint?" The answer was to call the client who said, "I just want it done if you don't want to do it I'll go elsewhere." So I did a class one valve job, took it over to a friends machine shop, replaced the guides and did 3 angles on the seats. pressed in new seals and set the shims to perfect clearances. Next day it is back in my stall when I come in - complaint "the new seals are leaking," I don't think so but whatever, pull the pulleys off drill the seals and pull them. Pop in new ones. Next morning it is back again. Complaint "still leaks oil." I call the guy. "Look, you are the one who was belligerent and pushy about the valve job. There is nothing wrong with my work. What is the real problem?" After a few minutes of listening to him babble he says, "I figured that is why it was so oily lately." Said to him, "ever take it to a real Fiat shop for service? They are supposed to clean the flame trap in the hose when they do a major tune up." He says, "Ah no. I always do my own oil. Didn't think that was important. What will it cost me?" So I told him, "15 minutes of your time so it doesn't happen again. When can you come down and I'll show you how for next time."

Really easy to do. Pull the hose, grab the trap with needle nose and pull it out. Put it in some solvent, is a good time to clean or replace the hose too. Put back and good until the next major tune up.