mystery fuel tank piece

[StescoG66]

A bit of a mystery to me this one. Can anyone tell me what the L shaped piece of plastic that goes at the back of the fuel tank is and what purpose it serves? Is it really needed and should I put it back?
Its piece number 11 on this screenshot

[Oggie]

Its a spacer that stops the front of the tank from hitting the floor/bodywork if I remember correctly and also has a hole to hold the breather tube upright to prevent vacuum should the pipe get kinked.

[dickyb]

Not the best photo but this may help:

[junior]

Any chance of panning back a bit on that picture as I do not have this piece on my car and so am quite intrigued but cannot figure it out.

[Crank]

This has got me baffled as well. I have never seen this part before !

[KevJTD]

It sits on the back lip of the tank seam from memory doesn't it?
You can just make out the edge of the tank strap hinge on the left of picture.

[StescoG66]

Not the best photo but this may help:

The attachment HPIM9757.jpg is no longer available

Thank you for this dickyb. Thats a good help - appreciate it. Can I ask - what is the pipe pictured there? I only ask as I was trying to work out where the vent pipe locates. What is the little piece that is on the end of part number 18 in the picture - the one numbered 2 with the wee scissors next to it? it is absent on my car, but is it necessary?

[junior]

This is getting more complex. Does bolt number 5 really go through the pipe ?

That looks like a crazy way of fitting it. Did that system survive for long ?

[KevJTD]

Part 18 is a one way valve designed to let air into the tank as the fuel gets used but not let fuel or vapors out, the pipe after it is just a cut to size piece usually tucked out of the way in the box section so it doesn't draw damp air in.
The bolt 5 fits through the side bracket that supports the long metal/plastic (dependant on age of car) into the captive nut affixed to the car, not through the actual fuel filler pipe as it may look to do!

[StescoG66]

Thank you Kev for your help. I thought that it may just tuck in to the box section that runs behind the tank but just wanted to be sure. Of more interest is the cut to size piece on the end of the breather - I no longer have it so is it just a generic material or specific dealer only part? Will I get by without it?
The schematic makes it look complicated but in reality it is - 4 pipes. filler, breather, fuel out , fuel return.

[KevJTD]

Thank you Kev for your help. I thought that it may just tuck in to the box section that runs behind the tank but just wanted to be sure. Of more interest is the cut to size piece on the end of the breather - I no longer have it so is it just a generic material or specific dealer only part? Will I get by without it?
The schematic makes it look complicated but in reality it is - 4 pipes. filler, breather, fuel out , fuel return.

Just an ordinary piece of fuel pipe will do mate, can't recall if it's 6mm or 8mm, just enough to tuck away out of the spray is enough.