Removing the gas tank vent

[Hoosierman]

Just picking some brains here...

In attempting to put in a new gas tank on my '84, I seem to be having a difficult time removing the vent valve from its line-- by "vent valve" I mean the plastic cylinder that pops into the gas tank with aid of a seal. I'm trying to disconnect it from the vapor line but it's on their mighty tough. I tried soaking it with soapy water but to no avail. I want to try to avoid cutting the line.

Thanks.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Those hoses are really stretched over the fitting and has a fairly big barb.

Seems to me when I pulled my tank I just popped the valve out of the grommet.

 

[Hoosierman]

Well, I have an extra vent that's brand new since it was only a few bucks. Figured I would just go ahead and replace it while I was in there but since the old one looks fine, I just popped it back in with a little help from a flathead to encourage the seal to go inside the tank.

I used to work for a gas tank manufacturer and I learned a LOT of tricks while working there. Even Honda was okay with use flatheads and a hammer to get the locking ring into the encapsulated ring when we didn't have the special socket tool. But of all the tricks I learned, never once did I learn how to remove a vent line from a barbed component. I figure there are probably three large barbs, and typically a factor installs those lines with aid from a machine and soltrol lubrication.

Thanks all the same.