Can anyone identify this hose? (1988 XJ6)
 

To paraphrase the situation I gave in my introduction:

I bought a 1988 about 2-3 years ago. I got 4 months running time out of it, and then it broke down when the intake manifold gasket blew. Since then, I've had a couple of mechanics try to fix it, though they either wanted more money than I had to give them, or else they were too busy. I decided to do it myself about a month ago.

Problem is, one of the mechanics (no longer in the area for me to ask) removed the hose that is shown in this picture, and I can't find where it goes. The local dealership is also lost. This is the second hose where I've had problems locating where it goes, and I've found where the first one goes. Any assistance in locating this second hose would be very much appreciated!

I do want to say that this car is the first car I've ever worked on, and I have so far found it to be almost a pleasure, between the repair manual and the vast amount of information available.

Check the AIR Pump to the air box. Looks exactly like an air hose to me.

Reminds me of a lower radiator hose.

Well, apart from the fact that the one in the picture is broken...I've searched my '88's engine bay and the only thing it comes close to resembling is a wiring harness shroud, but I doubt it would be that as it doesn't appear to have a split running along the entire length. The wire core suggests that it is air related.

I have a feeling the hose is not actually from the jag...maybe the mechanic threw it in to confuse you....

I'm 99% sure that's a generic radiator hose. It even looks as if there are marks where the hose clamps were on the end that is intact. They did put wire coils in radiator hoses because they could collapse under certain cold conditions.

Is it a heavy thick type rubber? or is it a thinner wall rigid rubber/plastic hose? Looking at your photo, in relation to the measuring stick, it appears to be about 1.5 inches in diameter. Your upper and lower radiator hoses should be easy to determine if they are where they should be. How about the water pipe under the Intake manifold, it looks to be about the right diameter. If they were working on the Intake Manifold, I would think it was something in that area they had to remove in order to work on the intake.

Thanks for all the responses! It's been busy at work, so I haven't had the time to check back.

It's some sort of cloth-feeling hose, fairly thin, so I think it'd have to be an air hose? I can fit the end over the small plug on my air filter box, but if that's where it goes, I can't seem to find what the other end connects to. Is it possible that it only connects on one end?

I have all of my radiator hoses on-- the mechanic only had to unplug one end of the upper radiator hose, so those are still in the right place.

I've looked through all the diagrams in the parts book (since I couldn't find it in the repair manual, I figured Jaguar would have a picture of it so that I could send them money, at least :P), and cannot seem to find the hose in there. I'm almost inclined to believe that it's some sort of optional "enhancement" put on by one of the previous owners (since some pictures of '88 engines seem to have that lower plug on the air filter box capped), or as Jagfix38 suggested, maybe it's simply a piece that doesn't go to this puzzle at all.

If you access to another 88 to 92 xj6 look to see if it has one and see where its attached

Its an air hose.
Part of the auto choke I think.

I say that because when I pulled the stock air box, that was hooked to the bottom.
When first starting the car, it sucks air through it.... but after the car is running for a minute or two, it stops.

I could run out and grab you a pic... but thts what it is... and air intake hose.

x's 2

Thanks for all the replies! It goes between the air box and the air pump, yes. Of course, apparently my air pump was also removed, which is why I couldn't figure out that it went there :D. This problem is solved, though, and I hope to report a running car this week. Thanks again!