On my 2002 Dakota 4.7L there is a black tube that runs across the engine right in front of the throttle body. That tube has what appears to be neoprene insulation around it. Mine and several I saw on YouTube videos have totally disintegrating insulation. Is the insulation important and is it a specific OEM part or a generic pipe insulation? Had this under general discussion as my first post. I figured that was incorrect place, Sorry.

 

Where does it come from, and where does it go? Can you post a pic?

 

It's a bit dark out there now but I saved a screen shot from a YouTube video that shows it. On the left you see the guy has a rag stuffed in the throttle body and the black tube with the deteriorated insulation is directly in front of it running from one side of the engine to the other. I'll look tomorrow in the daylight to see where it starts and where it goes. I assume they insulated it for a reason.

 

not sure what it is, insulation might be protecting it from the extreme temperature variances of the HVAC system.

 

Is that a coolant pipe??