Vacuum Hose Connection

ferod · Post by **ferod** » 21 Mar 2011, 19:28

1996 Volvo 850. Did not pass my smog inspection today because I am missing a vacuum hose. There are two flexible elbows coming out of the back of the airbox. I have a yellow colored vacuum line in the top elbow that connects to the throttle housing. However I am missing the vacuum line that connects to the lower elbow, and I have no idea what the other end of that line connects to. Could someone give me this information please. I will attempt to attach a photo. Thanks, Fellas.

Post by **vjaneczko** » 21 Mar 2011, 20:04

Did you fail because of a CEL or because the tester saw a hose was missing?

Post by **jtp** » 21 Mar 2011, 20:15

Mine attaches to the vacuum tree, which is above the throttle body.

ferod · Post by **ferod** » 21 Mar 2011, 20:17

I failed the visual inspection. The tester saw the missing hose and said it showed evidence of tampering, so automatic failure.

Post by **jtp** » 21 Mar 2011, 20:21

That's the stupidest thing I ever heard. Some tampering improves mpg, making the car better for the environment. They should reduce furlows by getting rid of tools that say things like that.

Post by **vjaneczko** » 21 Mar 2011, 20:48

ferod wrote:I failed the visual inspection. The tester saw the missing hose and said it showed evidence of tampering, so automatic failure.

OK, I'm laughing my friggin' arse off. Tampering?! How about a 15 year old car loses vacuum hoses once in a while!

Let me guess; he couldn't make it as a forest preserve officer and really wants to screw with the general population so he's doing this ...

Jam a hose in there, run it down under the battery, and plug it up. If you get the same guy and he asks where it goes, tell him it attaches to the cruise control. Since it's buried under the battery tray, he'd have to grab some tools and pull it out to verify - and is he really THAT smart?!

Post by **jblackburn** » 22 Mar 2011, 08:04

That is part of the airbox thermostat. Just run a vacuum line from there to the vacuum tree (there's probably a missing elbow or open connection there).

Once you get it back from the inspection, the airbox thermostat has probably failed anyway - most have at this age. Open that box up and jam something in the flap so it sticks only to the cold air side. Your net result if it was stuck in the hot air position before will be lots more power and better gas mileage.