(I haven't done much engine work before, and what little I have done was 15 years ago, so please be patient with my limited engine knowledge and terminology...)

I noticed last night that I have a disconnected (somewhat broken looking) vacuum tube adapter on the back of my valve cover, and I'm a little puzzled as to what it should have been connected to. I checked the other valve cover, and saw that the tube on the driver's side connects to the lower portion of the intake manifold. But the passenger side of the intake manifold doesn't have a corresponding location for the valve cover tube to connect.

I also noticed that the CAI (installed before I bought the truck) has a large blue vacuum tube coming out of the air tunnel. I assume that the CAI tube should connect to the valve cover vacuum tube, given their proximity and the fact that it would seem odd for the air intake tunnel to suck in unfiltered air (which is currently what's happening, since it's located after the filter and isn't connected to anything). I started to connect them, but since the blue tube is a bit large for the valve cover adapter, I second guessed myself, and figured I'd run it by you guys first. Should I connect the tubes? If so, I assume I should get a screw-strap to keep the connection air-tight?

I've attached pictures for reference - thanks for your help!

 

That is where it goes. It is called the crank case vent (CCV). With it the way it is now, you're sucking unfiltered air into the intake manifold as well as that valve cover (and the block). Hook it up and hose clamp it.

 

Thanks! I kinda figured that was what I should do, but since I don't have a lot of experience, it's pretty easy to second-guess myself. I assume that since the engine is still running okay, that it probably hasn't caused any significant issues?

 

Hopefully there wasn't much dust in the engine bay while it was unhooked. How long was it like that? I doubt it would cause immediate damage but if dust got in there then it isn't good for the engines internals in the long run.

 

I bought the truck a couple months back, and have had a couple different mechanics under the hood in the meantime. I'm not sure if it was like that before I bought it, or if one of the mechanics accidentally disconnected it while messing around with the A/C.

That said, I'd probably assume the worst - that dust has gotten in the internals. Is there anything I can do to help clean the dust out before it causes a problem? (Oil change, etc?)

Thanks!

 

The oil filter should have picked it up by now if any got in the block and any that got into the intake will have blown out of the exhaust valves. I don't think there's a desert in Lawrence, KS so you should be fine.

 

Nope - Eastern Kansas. It's windy, but not generally too dusty. I guess I'll just connect the tubes and hope for the best then.

Thanks again!

 

Changing the oil certainly wouldn't hurt, and would be cheap insurance.....

 

Yeah, you're probably right. The previous owner said he had just had it tuned up, but I didn't see the receipt, so this is probably one of those "better safe than sorry" cases...