natenkiki2004
Blue Bomb!
- Joined
- November 3, 2013
- Messages
- 2,044
- Reaction score
- 80
- Location
- North Idaho
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1991 & 1994 Explorers
When I got my Exploder I had vacuum leaks that I found in the hoses and fixed them. Ordered new rubber boots from the local parts store and cut out holes that had been worn by rubbing. Fast forward a few months and the boots were cracking again and I found more holes in the plastic lines.
Annoyed, I set out to solve this with some silicone tubing. I went out and measured the various vacuum fittings and found the smallest one (air box) and got some silicone hose based on that fitting. I purchased 10 feet of 3/16" (5mm) ID silicone tubing and went to work:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/464376/vehicles/1991 Explorer/Pictures/IMG_20140613_173115.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/464376/vehicles/1991 Explorer/Pictures/IMG_20140613_173122.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/464376/vehicles/1991 Explorer/Pictures/IMG_20140613_173135.jpg
I like the look, the ease of working with it and it seems to be the right size for most all of the fittings, even stretching to fit the trans vacuum line. Unlike rubber, I don't feel like it's going to crack if I stretch it over a fitting.
My only gripe is that it doesn't feel quite tight enough on the air box thermostatic control valve. I think it will work ok but if you're thinking of trying this, 5/32" ID silicone hose might be worth a try. All the other fittings felt great, even the fuel pressure regulator.
Also, worth noting is that I had 2 left over vacuum ports on the manifold. I'll be using one later for a vacuum gauge but for now, I just cut a short section of hose and hooked them to each other so I don't have to use a cap (which often crack too soon).
All in all, $10 and a little bit of time. I'm very pleased and best of all, don't have to deal with the plastic lines again.
Annoyed, I set out to solve this with some silicone tubing. I went out and measured the various vacuum fittings and found the smallest one (air box) and got some silicone hose based on that fitting. I purchased 10 feet of 3/16" (5mm) ID silicone tubing and went to work:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/464376/vehicles/1991 Explorer/Pictures/IMG_20140613_173115.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/464376/vehicles/1991 Explorer/Pictures/IMG_20140613_173122.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/464376/vehicles/1991 Explorer/Pictures/IMG_20140613_173135.jpg
I like the look, the ease of working with it and it seems to be the right size for most all of the fittings, even stretching to fit the trans vacuum line. Unlike rubber, I don't feel like it's going to crack if I stretch it over a fitting.
My only gripe is that it doesn't feel quite tight enough on the air box thermostatic control valve. I think it will work ok but if you're thinking of trying this, 5/32" ID silicone hose might be worth a try. All the other fittings felt great, even the fuel pressure regulator.
Also, worth noting is that I had 2 left over vacuum ports on the manifold. I'll be using one later for a vacuum gauge but for now, I just cut a short section of hose and hooked them to each other so I don't have to use a cap (which often crack too soon).
All in all, $10 and a little bit of time. I'm very pleased and best of all, don't have to deal with the plastic lines again.