Unplugged cable from air filter housing to ???

[benwood]

Hello all,

Time I joined, my Explorer is getting old, a '91 sport, since it needs more coaxing nowadays, but not a lot (just 92k miles)

Today I was replacing the air cleaner and when I was removing the shroud over the Mass Air Flow sensor cable, I noticed a loose cable coming out of the back of the air filter housing. The cable's still attached to the air filter housing -- it's the other end that appears to have come out of a boot and after an hour of trying to find where it went, I gave up and took a couple photos hoping somebody else could steer me to the right area. The cable is the driver side of the two out the back -- the right one (on engine, left in my photo) is a vacuum hose, and the left one (right in my photo) is stiffish, black, and appears to be an electrical or heat conducting cable based on the exposed end that shows wound aluminum wire. Any ideas? I test drove with the cable not connected on the "other" end, and after a few miles, everything still seemed normal. I suspect this has some use though Thanks for any help!!

Here's a couple pics, first the cable end:

And now the photo that shows the cable, with handy arrows. Note that I have the cable "on top" but I believe it wound around underneath the radiator hoses towards the front of the engine and somewhere near the bottom of the battery perhaps? It could also have wound back to the firewall, based on length...

 

[Mud Bug 94]

its jus a vaccum hose that i beleive goes to the intake...someone just plugged it with a nail or some aluminum rod. leave it on and zip tie it to something. if you want to take it off, plug the hole it came out of.

 

[Maniak]

Those 2 hoses are used for ther thermactor system ( believe thats what its called). It used to direct air from around the exhaust manifold to the intake to help warm up the engine faster.

One of those two lines goes to the intake (to get vacuum), the other line goes down near the exhaust manifold (but on the intake system) to a valve/door. When the air is cold the piece that both lines are connected to (where the air cleaner is) allows the vacuum from the engine to reach the valve/door to direct heat from the heat riser (tube that goes from around the exhaust manifold to the air intake) to the engine.

~Mark

 

[Critter92X]

I just walked out and looked at my 92' and that hose goes underneath the battery tray.I was going to take a picture of where it went but I couldn't see what it hooked to.

 

[benwood]

Well, I thought my Haynes manual was deficient, because in one or two places, it says those are vacuum lines, but with that aluminum crap in one, it seemed to be housing a huge wire (ground?). The hose itself is somewhat stiff, but I think just because it's old. I've no idea who plugged the thing then -- it may have been that way for years. Does anybody think it's much of an issue? It *would* reach under the battery -- it can reach the radiator, just. The hose bends imply it went down about to where the battery would be, and if the battery is blocking the view, I can see why I could not find anything obvious.

I've always replaced my own batteries, so I'm puzzled about which mechanic was in there and plugged it.... the other vacuum hose in my photo is intact, btw.

Those 2 hoses are used for ther thermactor system ( believe thats what its called). It used to direct air from around the exhaust manifold to the intake to help warm up the engine faster.

One of those two lines goes to the intake (to get vacuum), the other line goes down near the exhaust manifold (but on the intake system) to a valve/door. When the air is cold the piece that both lines are connected to (where the air cleaner is) allows the vacuum from the engine to reach the valve/door to direct heat from the heat riser (tube that goes from around the exhaust manifold to the air intake) to the engine.

~Mark

 

[DeRocha]

Maniak is on the money... the vacuum hoses attach to the bi-metal valve on the air box. Once hose comes from the engine and has vacuum, while the other hose goes to a valve in the lower air box intake located behind the bumper. This system allows the engine to warm up slightly faster and help slightly with emissions (when the engine is cold)..

Anyway it is common to block the vacuum side with a metal rod, or screw when upgrading to an open air filter... Blocking the vacuum justs prevents the lower intake valve form opening and closing (and as already mentioned provides no benefits once the engine is warmed up).

BTW engine vacuum is used sort of like electricity to power and actuate various engine components. But If you have too many vacuum leaks then you may not have enough vacuum for certain components to work correctly...

 

[benwood]

Thanks all!! I wonder if that hose was plugged due to an early recall that had to do with battery acid affecting cables/hoses nearby (foggy memory... it was in '92 I think). Sounds like the thing to do is secure it and stop thinking about it!

--Ben

 

[Tloc21]

Hello all,

Time I joined, my Explorer is getting old, a '91 sport, since it needs more coaxing nowadays, but not a lot (just 92k miles)

Today I was replacing the air cleaner and when I was removing the shroud over the Mass Air Flow sensor cable, I noticed a loose cable coming out of the back of the air filter housing. The cable's still attached to the air filter housing -- it's the other end that appears to have come out of a boot and after an hour of trying to find where it went, I gave up and took a couple photos hoping somebody else could steer me to the right area. The cable is the driver side of the two out the back -- the right one (on engine, left in my photo) is a vacuum hose, and the left one (right in my photo) is stiffish, black, and appears to be an electrical or heat conducting cable based on the exposed end that shows wound aluminum wire. Any ideas? I test drove with the cable not connected on the "other" end, and after a few miles, everything still seemed normal. I suspect this has some use though Thanks for any help!!

Here's a couple pics, first the cable end:

And now the photo that shows the cable, with handy arrows. Note that I have the cable "on top" but I believe it wound around underneath the radiator hoses towards the front of the engine and somewhere near the bottom of the battery perhaps? It could also have wound back to the firewall, based on length...

I’m trying to figure that out to the left one on mine is unplugged

 

[ChildIdenticant]

I’m trying to figure that out to the left one on mine is unplugged

Welcome to explorerforum @Tloc21, this is an old thread, best to start your own in future. For your issue, see this thread for photos.