I have an 87 Cherokee, theres a "dryer vent looking hose" that connects from the Air Cleaner box to the driver side of the engine. Mine is in pretty bad shape and was planning to go to parts store and see what they can match me up with. I was hoping to find a part number for the original but cant seem to find anything. Does nayone know what this is caalled or a part number?

 

well I found the part number but looks to be discontinued. Has anyone used aftermarket vent hose for this and secure with hose clamps?

 

Newer models don't have a hot air intake for engine warm-up. But you may have your answer in your description. Check out the hardware store, and you might find something. The dryer vent is way too big, of course, but you might find something like a water heater exhaust vent.

 

I bought a metal flex pipe at a local VW store. The Bug uses the same type of hose. Really anything that fits and is long enough will do (as long as it's not plastic).

It's used to "pre heat" air going into the air box by drawing air heated by the exhaust manifold to help the engine warm up faster in order to reduce emissions. There's a vacuum "switch" inside the top cover. When cold, it sends vacuum to the diverter servo in the front of the air box to block off the "cold air" and send the "heated air" into the box. Once the switch warms up (due to engine heat), it cuts off the vacuum and the diverted opens to allow fresh air in.

The "switch". One end (the elbow) is the vacuum source from the vacuum harness junction block. The other goes to the servo.




The servo in front of the box. You can see the metal tube.


Honestly, unless you're subject to crazy smog testing (as I am in CA), you don't really need it. (as long as the vacuum source is plugged.)

 

very good information, fortunately i dont have any smog testing where I am, but what about the open space on the side of the engine, does that need to be plugged also? Think ill keep poking around till i find something that works. What size did you use? 2" or 2 1/4" and did you attach with hose clamps?

 

Nope. Don't need to plug anything. You can just leave the empty space and open ports. I don't recall what size it was. You may be able to see a bit of a gap on the front one as the hose I got was a bit larger. No clamps. The stiffness on the tube keeps it in place.

In my case I needed it to pass smog. My old one was some kind of fabric wrapped around a spring shaped wire (to hold it open. The fabric finally rotted away. Funny, it always passed smog with that wrecked hose. When I replaced my cracked manifold, I ditched the hose. Sure enough, I failed the next time because it was missing and considered an "emissions component" (wasn't the only thing failed). I recalled the Beetle used something similar and I had a VW "speed shop" up the street (no longer there). As I said, it was a bit larger in diameter but fit close enough for government work.