There has been lots of banter re:fuel smell.It was added to my list some time ago and I finally got to it. Long story short I removed both evap valves(which apparently are no longer available)removed the clamps and fuel lines from both, but left the lines still hooked to the separator,used permatex to reset the valves in the tank,capped off the drivers side valve and then teed a line from the passenger side valve to the overflow line that runs from the fuel cap down through the floor.Voila!no smell,no back pressure and nothing destroyed.Dave M, I don't know how you ever removed that separator unless you removed the tank, there is zero room to work.So now, if I ever find new valve grommets I could actually reconnect the system.

eramosa said:

.Dave M, I don't know how you ever removed that separator unless you removed the tank, there is zero room to work.

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The separator is extracted from the inner rear wing via the aperture next to the tank. But first the bolts that clamp the separator to the inner wing are located in the hood compartment.
The separator will then come out without removal of the tank.
Interesting fix to a common problem that we all seem to be having, would be good to know why we do have this problem. As yet I haven't actually seen any obvious reasons on my car.

Good to hear that someone has found another way to by-pass the segregator without any permanent changes. Just to clarify, my changes are all reversible as the segregator remains in place and could be re-connected, but on my car that unit was definitely the source of the smell rather than the valve seals on top of the tank or other issues. So the chances of me wanting to plumb it back in are nil and I would have pulled it out if I'd figured how to do it. But as Dave M says, I still don't understand why the unit leaked vapour at various times...

Hi eramosa, how easy was it to remove the valves from the top of the tank? Barchettaparts.com have the valve seal replacements, they are also available from Italy for 30euro for 2 plus postage.
Do the valves pull out the top without any fixing?
SteveD

It was very easy to remove them and the smell would always be stronger after a fill up. The valves are actually cheap plastic what we call "poppet" valves which would last forever but it's the rubber grommets that hold them in place in the tank that deteriorate over time . The dried out rubber would allow fuel to seep around them especially when being sloshed about with a full tank.It doesn't take much fuel to create the strong smell and fact is it's a dangerous situation.

Well finally cured the fuel smell in the cab and boot. I to ran a pipe to outside the car to see what happened. The fuel smell persisted but not as strong, I think because the tank was never under pressure. When the top was down no smell at all and the B ran better ( not trying to stall when moving off when engine is hot and idling better ) Anyroad up I decided to take the tank out today, three quarters of an hour with the fuel separator I capped all outlets off apart from one and slightly pressurised it by blowing down the open pipe then capping it off. I then brushed soapy water around every joint and waited. Bubbles started appearing around the two vents on top under the rubber seal, all other joints were ok, even immersed the separator in the fluid to make sure, all was fine. A special tool is needed to remove these vents so I didn't bother. I sprayed the vents and seals with silicone spray and started moving them around like the good old plumber I am I knew if the seals weren't damaged ( looked in good nick) they would reseal. I then tested again and perfect, no leaks. After cleaning up the tank and the tank housing I replaced everything to the original. Took it for a test drive and not the slightest smell of fuel.
Unfortunately engine not ticking over as good and try to stall moving off in first when hot.
Any ideas on that one would be appreciated.
Hope this helps some B owners out there.
Many thanks Dave in sunny Poole.

Hi Dave, Nice one, glad to hear that the smell is gone. I see you pressure tested the separator/segregator as well, if I'd been able to extract mine rather than just seal it off then I'd have done that, just to see how it was letting fumes out on my car. Oh well. Can't help with the bad running I'm afraid, hopefully someone can...