It has nothing to do with the egr system...the egr tube is a 5/8 or so solid flare and goes right into the underside of the intake manifold. That tube there takes DRY radiant heat (not exhaust gas) into the filter box to keep things warm and dry...

 

Heat riser tube. Assists idle and operation in cold weather startups wherein humidity can flash freeze due to wind chill thru the throttle body, interior icing up can lead to poor operation of the devices and mechanisms along the intake tract. As suggested earlier trim it back and re-attach. Or wrap it with duct tape or you can get some new tube at local auto parts supply (ex napa). If you are not in cold climate it will not then affect your normal operation.
I wonder if it would pass discrepancy of vehicle safety inspection in some locals if the inspectors noticed it damaged or missing?

 

X2 with hankthetank. My understanding of that tube is that there is a vacuum motor (or switch) on the front of your air box which can switch the flow of air coming in to be from that tube, rather than from the open hole in the front of the air box. To the best of my knowledge the vacuum switch is temperature related, and is switched to the alternate tube intake under cold conditions. This tube is used to let warmer air into the engine, thus warming the engine faster. I would say that it is definitely not a priority to have repaired (more something if its nagging you and you are bored one day), however someone please correct me if my information is not valid.
Cheers!
Evan

 

The problem is, since it very slightly helps the emissions output when it's running before the engine is hot, many places may fail you on inspection due to bypassed emission systems or whatever.
If there is enough slack I say cut it and reattach, if not then clean it and patch it with aluminum duct tape. Tape won't stick to dirt and the tube at the same time.

 

im a state inspector. it will pass with it removed.

 

Laws differ state to state. As a matter of fact, here in Texas it's county to county. For example, I used to live in Bosque County and it required no emissions testing. However, where I live now it's a big deal. I even had to fight to get my C10 inspected because they told me it needed cats.

A 1980 C10 that didn't come stock with them, hell didn't even have a smog pump. Then they failed me because I had a chrome air breather and not the original with the built in heat valve and heat riser tubing. Ended up having my dad get it inspected in bosque where he is.

On a side note for others reading the law in my area is, if it didn't come from factory with it, you don't have to add it. I just got stuck with an *** trying to get money out of me, he conveniently had the supplies to sell me a cat system.

 

cat systems for Virginia, non emission regulation areas. Just tap on them and make sure its not hollowed out. Thats it.

And you can read up on the inspection codes for every and any state (google search its all public information). Different inspectors are stricter about different things. Me, as long as it is safe (by code), I pass.

also about the 1980 C10. I have one also, a 1979 C15 GMC. Factory installed on all federal and calif. emissions trucks. He had every right, and hey, he saved you from a VERY expensive fine. (if your caught by the state bear). Some one took it off im sure. But yes if it grandfather clause in you can't inspect it. Read the laws about the SPECIFIC years it was mandatory.

 

My 77 CJ with a header failed because it was missing this. I even had the belt driven air pump and air injection manifold welded into the header! I had to dig up the stock air cleaner and get a replacement heat riser tube from AZ/Advance/etc, then just stuff it in the header pipes. I only ran that setup one day/year...inspection day

 

Different states look for different things more closely than others. Also every inspector follows code in a different way. For me, if its safe, its good. I however do not tolerate cats missing, or egr systems disabled.