What should go here?

[AndyT]

After going in for a service a few months ago my car has developed a sucking noise. It's coming from a small nozzle on the back right hand side of the plenum. I think a pipe has come off but can't see where it is. The nozzle has a small blue pipe on it in the pictures. Can someone please tell me what should be on this nozzle. Thanks

[Enright]

Does your car have a dump valve?

[Sy V]

You appear to have the heater matric vacuum pipe attach and the normally blanked off one too.
My experience with these apertures is that if any are left open (when there should be something attached) it tends to have a detrimental effect on tickover and the smoothness thereof.

[RayD]

Andy,

On a standard car one of the three inlets is blanked off.

Ray

[Sy V]

Nice shot Ray.
Remember that the appearance of the pipe attached to the heater aperture can vary to reflect the presence or lack of the original plastic right-angled appendage.

[Monty]

Andy,

I`ve just had a look at mine and were you see that bit off blue hose in your picture on mine it`s black hose which goes down behinde the engine but i`m not sure were it goes. Maybe to the oil pressure sender Is your pressure gauge working correctly?

[Sy V]

Is the car boosting properly?

[dapinky]

I thought i was right with where it goes, but it isn't easy to see with the engine in the car, so i wanted to wait until i'd looked at my spare engine so as not to confuse you!

Basically, one fitting goes to the heater control system - that one appears okay in your picture.
One is blanked off - mine goes to the dump valve, but as standard, it is blanked off.

The third (the problem one on yours) goes to the secondary throttle vacuum reservoir.

Armed with that information, you (unfortunately) are little better off unless you have arms the thickness of a pencil, and 3 elbows on each!

Alternatively, a mirror and a torch (or boroscope) will allow you to have a look.

Now that I've totaly depressed you, there is a way to do it

The item you are looking to connect a pipe to is number 22 in the picture.

It is awkward to get to, but once you locate it, it is held in with a spring clip (like the sort of thing you might hang your spade up with in the shed???), so it will pop out, if you need to.

There are two vacuum pipes on the reservoir - one to the plenum (but not in your case), and a short one to the secondary throttle actuator.

The pipe you need is about 10" long, so if yours is much less than that, it is possibly broken, as opposed to just pulled off. In that case, i would suggest getting a length of 3mm silicone vacuum hose from your local car shop (it is usually sold by the meter) or on e-bay.

I replaced all mine with the engine out, and that was awkward enough - good luck!

[RayD]

Is it possible the blue one should just be a blank?

I thought he might have the same as mine but on different inlets.

Or will it depend on Neil's question about the dump valve?

From left to right on mine...

1. Heater
2. Blank
3. Secondary throttle vacuum reservoir (Ref Dave)

On Andy’s
1. Secondary throttle vacuum reservoir (Ref Dave)
2. Heater
3. Blank

Ray

[AndyT]

Thanks for all your help guys. I'll try and get it on some ramps tomorrow after I've had two new front tyres fitted!!!

[dapinky]

Andy,

I've just remembered that you sent me a PM asking for some pictures - I'd completely forgotten until i was outside sorting out the gear shift on the spare engine

It's not much of an excuse, but i'd deleted the PM and had nowt else to remind me.

Anyway, I've taken 3 pics which might help you locate the pipe routing.

It is probably obvious, but the red arrows are to highlight the pipe concerned!

[AndyT]

Dave,

Thanks for the pics.

I'll have another go at trying to find the pipe

Cheers

Andy

[RayD]

I've taken 3 pics which might help you locate the pipe routing.

Dave,

While you have the opportunity could you post a full size picture of the back of the engine? I’m sure it’ll come in handy one day.

Thanks
Ray