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What's this pipe?

Discussion in '308/328' started by GT4andMore, Mar 15, 2021.

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  1. GT4andMore

    GT4andMore Karting

    Oct 23, 2020
    66
    Full Name:
    Graham
    #1 GT4andMore, Mar 15, 2021
    While chasing down a coolant leak - finally traced to where the heater hose joins the back cylinder head - I have been getting to know the underside of my engine.

    The car is a Euro spec 308GT4. There is a small pipe on the rear of the flywheel bell housing - see photo below.

    Can anyone tell me what it is for. More importantly should it have a hose connected to it. Another of my discoveries is the lack of an inspection plate on the top of the bell housing so I am wondering what other parts, plates or pipes might have gone missing over the years.

    Thanks in advance for any advice.

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  2. sp1der

    sp1der F1 Rookie

    Jan 10, 2009
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    Simon Ashley
    #2 sp1der, Mar 15, 2021
    Gearbox breather, it normally has a little poppet on the top but a lot of cars had a mod to secure a loop of tube to it so essentially only vapours escaped and not oil
     
  3. GT4andMore

    GT4andMore Karting

    Oct 23, 2020
    66
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    Graham
    #3 GT4andMore, Mar 15, 2021
    Perfect - thanks so much. Armed with that information I can see a bunch of threads on the subject and a recommendation to add a short section of pipe - which I will now do. I was more worried about muck getting in than oil leaking out however this makes sense on both counts.

    Thanks for a super helpful reply.
     
  4. ProvaMo

    ProvaMo Formula Junior

    Jun 29, 2004
    351
    Mid West
    Full Name:
    Paul John
    #4 ProvaMo, Mar 15, 2021
    I like the car to be original, so I removed the aftermarket long piece of hose and bought a replacement breather cap from the UK SuperFormance people, p/n 13411990 and named "Drop Gears Oil Breather Cap"
     
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  5. GT4andMore

    GT4andMore Karting

    Oct 23, 2020
    66
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    Graham
    #5 GT4andMore, Mar 16, 2021
    Thanks - that's useful to know. Given the cost I'll try both. I also like originality but reliability and function take priority.
    Appreciate the advice.
    Thanks
     
  6. Fryerrari

    Fryerrari Rookie

    Dec 18, 2019
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    Andrew Frye
    #6 Fryerrari, Mar 16, 2021
    Mine just has the breather cap and leaks oil. Anyone know the procedure to remove the breather cap, what to insert, etc? Not sure if I take the little cap off if there is a nipple to attach a section of hose.
     
  7. sp1der

    sp1der F1 Rookie

    Jan 10, 2009
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    #7 sp1der, Mar 16, 2021
    Will take a picture of mine to show how you mod
     
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  8. Fryerrari

    Fryerrari Rookie

    Dec 18, 2019
    4
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    Andrew Frye
    #8 Fryerrari, Mar 16, 2021
    Thanks, mine looks like this. Don't know if I have to take the whole think out and stick a pipe/hose in there or if I'm able to attach a hose to it.

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  9. sp1der

    sp1der F1 Rookie

    Jan 10, 2009
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    #9 sp1der, Mar 16, 2021
  10. ProvaMo

    ProvaMo Formula Junior

    Jun 29, 2004
    351
    Mid West
    Full Name:
    Paul John
    #10 ProvaMo, Mar 18, 2021
    Two pictures here of what I believe is correct. The older looking pic is my original GTS Carb, the newer one is my GTB Carb with a new standpipe and SuperFormance "Drop Gears Oil Breather Cap". I removed the aftermarket long hose. My logic is, if the transaxle isn't overfilled by a leaking center sump separator seals (shift shaft) between oil and axle sumps, then standpipe breather does it's intended job...
    Paul
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  11. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
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    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
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    Steve Magnusson
    #11 Steve Magnusson, Mar 18, 2021
    Last edited: Mar 18, 2021
    Early 308GT4/GTB just had the short vent valve, item 13:
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    Later 308GT4/GTB/GTS added the extension pipe, item 24, to raise vent valve, item 13, up:
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    In the pic in post #1, the vent valve is missing its metal cap piece. In the pic in your post #10 and the pics in post #8, the metal cap piece is still present. This cap piece would typically be removed to attach a flexible hose to run up higher (and then loop down).
     
  12. GT4andMore

    GT4andMore Karting

    Oct 23, 2020
    66
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    Graham
    #12 GT4andMore, Mar 19, 2021
    Fantastic - just love the detail.
    Much appreciated.
     
  13. ProvaMo

    ProvaMo Formula Junior

    Jun 29, 2004
    351
    Mid West
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    Paul John
    #13 ProvaMo, Mar 19, 2021
    Thanks Steve, good to learn... I've had a few 308's, but didn't realize the early versions didn't have the standpipe. v/r Paul
     
  14. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Nov 29, 2001
    13,567
    San Carlos, CA
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    Mitchell Le
    #14 yelcab, Mar 21, 2021
    I connected that fitting to a small hose, which is connected to a small plastic gas filter, and tied off to the frame. No more oil leaks.
     

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