I was just under my car trying to plug my tire until they get my tire in and noticed a part loose and I have no clue what it is. I've been hearing an intermittent knock sound that I thought might be the exhaust, but knowing it wasn't the exhaust and this I believe is it. It is by the right rear wheel on the back side and mounts to a bracket and it has two hoses attached to it. I'm thinking it's an emissions part, but do not know and haven't found out what it is. The bolt that held it to the bracket has broken and will be a warranty repair, but WTF is it? Here is a picture from the factory manual with it pictured in the red box, but not referenced to it:


[IMG]local://upfiles/193/AE1C87D5490A40CB96457C5F4979E7D7.jpg[/IMG]

 

looks like a brake boost pump but im not 100% sure.

 

it is actually the natural vaccuum leak detection assembly. it's part of thge emissions system and is hooked up through the refueling hose and gas tank. it basically helps you get gas in and controls all the vapors from refueling. the pcm controls the pump(which is why there is a wiring harness hooked to it) and at the top of it there is a filter. everything else about it is physics and technical crap. you can look it up in the on-board refueling vapor recovery system in the manual.

 

Yup he's right, its just the NVLD

 

I thought that it might be the NVLD, but they never show it and the only reference to it is disconnecting lines to it and they mention the EVAP canister which is up front by the steer wheel. I was thrown by the fact that they never show the NVLD except in a routing diagram, they only show the EVAP canister in detail. There is only a single bolt that holds it to it's bracket and mine has been broken for some time as I have thought the intermittent rattle was the exhaust, but I put on the exhaust and I knew there was no way it was the exhaust making the noise. When they finally get my tire in, they will have to fix the NVLD's broken bolt as well.

I love the stock tires, except in snow, but they seem to pick up any and every sharp object. I've already had two tires plugged and one replaced with this being another replaced due to a nail too close to the sidewall to be repaired.

 

wow i was way off on that one. lol

 

I got a flat twice in one month on the same stock tire (different punctures)... They grip more than the road....

 

Thats interesting, I have a rattle fromthat area as well and for the life of me could not figure WTF was going on, I'll check it out hopefully that is it. Anyone else come across this problem?

 

yup, its some kinda emissions detection sensor or somethin, all i know is that its expensive to replace if you back over something and break it as i did on my 01
who knew neons werent desinged for offroading?

 

They arent??? Are you sure? I think that mine is special then