Forgive my ignorance here. There are 2 small air hoses that appear to be coming from the passenger-side firewall. One goes to the top of the throttle-body and the other goes to a T-shaped connector where it meets two other hoses. Well, the one coming from the firewall to the "T" has snapped off at the connector and I hear air leaking from the T joint. The car appears to run very well in spite of this, and there are no check engine lights or any fault codes. What exactly does that hose do? and how critical is it that I get it fixed? thanks.

 

First the part-load breather runs off the drivers side cam cover.

I am taking a wild guess at this one, but I think one of the two black hard nylon lines you are referring to to goes to the pressure regulator on the rear of the right fuel rail, which controls the pressure in the fuel rails. It is drawing vacuum from the intake manifold. I am not sure about where the other T line goes, but I do know that anytime you have a vacuum leak you are going to be running a lean air fuel mixture.

If you're question is, Can I drive for awhile before getting it fixed? Probably.
But if you are asking because I get no lights, can I ignore the leak? NO.

Why can't you fix the leak yourself? The plastic T's are like 50 cents, and air hose is a dollar a foot or less?

 

Maybe I could do it myself if I could remove the T without breaking the other parts of it. They are probably all extremely brittle. Do they sell those T's at any auto parts store?

 

The black plastic line fits into a larger rubber hose which in-turn is joins the T. You can purchase both the T and the rubber hose at any auto parts store. Spray some WD40 on the joints and twist the rubber hoses slightly. Then pull the T with the three (3) rubber hoses and take the complete assy to the store so they can match the correct sizes.

Now is the time to learn about automotive vacuum lines and teach yourself some good preventive maintenance. Air leaks are common, and easy to fix. Chances are if one hose or plastic T connector that is broken or brittle, there are going to be more. You have a choice of learning how to fix these little thing problems yourself; or get nickle and dimed to death by your local dealer or mechanic.

I would first clear the area and give myself some room to work by pulling back, or removing, the plastic air intake at the throttle body. The intake housing is attached to the TB by two (2) 8mm bolts. Note the rubber oring/washer sealing the two needs to be correctly positioned when reconnected.

 

Thank you. I took your advice. Only problem is that they only had a y-connector that fit the tubing (Typical of Advanced auto-parts, always severly out of stock on many items). I took off the air intake as you suggested and that did make it a lot easier. Everything fits together really well and there's perhaps just a bit more (bending/flexing) tension on the rubber hoses than it had with a T-connector. Should I be concerned about that? Also, at idle, I still hear what sounds like air moving (or getting sucked-in). Is that an indicator of another leak from somewhere else? or is that normal?

 

Y or T no matter as long as the line is not stressed. I assume you mean the hard black plastic line is stressed.

I would drive this, but pick up another T and next time you have the chance swap it out.

Yes, if you hear air getting sucked in, like a whistle, that is an air leak. Sometimes very easy to locate, other times not. Sometimes just jiggling a line can give you a hint. Give it a try.

 

Actually the two rubber hoses are bent a tad. They should at a perfect 90 degree angle to each other and now they are more like a 45 degree angle. I suppose there's also more tension on the T-connector which might cause it to fracture prematurely over time.

I wouldn't describe it as a whistle. More like, air flowing. Sounds more like an air leak than anything else. I checked all the hoses I could visualize and they all seemed to be tight and in good condition. Again, the car performs perfectly, same as it did 13 yrs ago (I can't believe I've had it that long).

 

Can you find it in the photo?

 

Find what? The air source? Not sure where to find those components in the diagram....

 

Is this the hose? Just want to know what we are talking about.

 

Nope. It's just in front of the passenger-side firewall beneath the air intake tube.

 

How about this?

 

Help if it hit upload!

 

on the most lower left part...yes

 

Can't offer any insight, but just interested.
Gus are these diagrams off of your All Data subscription?

 

OK The hose is a Vacuum hose # 12 NCA 3239AA2 and the T fitting is # 11 C 15844 (part numbers)
Now that we know what it is we can find out what it does. I think! It is attached to the fuel return pipe assembly that leads me to believe it is part of the emissions “air and fuel delivery system” but will check.

 

See if this is closer to what you have.

 

No not that lucky. Parts Page. Just trying to find out what he is looking at.