or maybe if this can refer to earlier years....I was fiddling around with my car earlier and I noticed a plastic flexible tube running from the back of my air box to a metal coating on my header. It wasn't connected to the airbox, just the header. What the hell is it? My car runs fine and it looks like it being disconnected hurts nothing.
It's a stovepipe to preheat the aircharge when it's cold. It won't hurt to be without it, but you may notice it's gone when winter comes.
It is the same as the tube that used to go from the metal shroud around the exhaust to the air cleaner inlet on carbed cars, and does the same thing. When cold, there is a vacuum powered door that opens and lets the engine pull air that has been heated by the exhaust, so that it warms up faster. I'd keep it, it does not cost any power, and may be reqd for visual emissions compliance. Also, make sure the vacuum line is connected to the motor, or, plugged so that you don't get a vacuum leak from the system.
there isnt any point in plugging it. its connected to a metal shroud that has 3 bolts that literally just sit ontop of the exhaust manifold. there is nothing to do with the vacum if you disconnect the long metallic tube. Most of the time they end up just rotting away. Now if you disconnect that little black vacum line on top of the intake ( the filter box to be exact ) then you will have a leak and then you will have problems. the tube from the manifold to the intake isnt really neccessary, and if you were to replace the manifold with like a ranger manifold it has to go anyways, so dont worry about it, if it looks bad get rid of it. If you really want it, go to autozone with the tube IN HAND so you can visually compare to see what you want for a new hose. called a preheater hose btw, at autozone
Just to be safe, when I first bought my car I looked at the air box and there was only one cord connected to the clips on the top of it. My dad then pulled out a rubber tube that was loose around the airbox and stuck it on the other clip. Is that supposed to be attached? I was just making sure in case I had the wrong thing on there.
Every state is different but it's required here in Texas. I had some issues passing inspection when I pulled mine off for a CAI kit. You can rig something up if you have to have if for a visual...as for cold starts, I never had an issues without mine but I also live in Texas.
