Evening all, while replacing my evap purge valve I noticed that my engine air intake pipe has a notable crack into it which is probably leaking a fair amount of air out of it. I was wondering if I should just patch it with some duct tape (or other material?) or if it would be better to simply replace the thing. And if I should replace the pipe, it seems like any pipe would do, as it's a simple and inexpensive part to start with. Is there anything I should know about the replacement that's finicky or a brand I should go with?

Much appreciate any input!

 

When my accordion tube was cracked, I just duct taped it.

I eventually switch the tube with another one from someone who upgraded to CAI.

I'd just go with one off eBay or an OEM one if I were you.

 

Danke. May at least just duct tape for now. The car is at 174k miles, not gonna bother with cold air intake upgrade unless it really helps fuel mileage.

 

Which on that topic, about how much fuel mileage improvement do we see with the cold air intake?

 

Get the black duct tape. That stuff is stronger and camouflages best.

 

You can tape it for a quick fix, when you want to get a new one you can pick up a Dorman one online for under $20 & if I remember correctly I paid around $25 for a new oem one from Honda.

 

No, a CAI will not improve fuel economy in the slightest. Here are a few comments along those lines:

• Your car came from the factory with a CAI; adding an aftermarket unit will provide zero benefit in any way.
• Making changes upstream of the throttle body (meaning anything from no intake at all, any aftermaket unit, or mucking about with the factory unit) will do nothing for fuel economy because the weight of the intake charge is measured downstream of the throttle body. The computer will simply figure out how much air is coming in and adjust the injectors accordingly.
• Adding an aftermarket CAI will potentially expose you to the risk of water ingestion which can lead to hydrolock and the need for a new engine.

 

A new one is $30. Part #: 17228-RCA-A00.

Mine was dry rotting and beginning to crack, so I replaced it. Completely agree with horseshoez. An aftermarket intake won't do anything for this car. It's been proven. I know someone who hydro-locked their engine while running one on their TL. The only thing the intake will give you is more engine noise.

 

lol I am surprise the amount of people willing to go "Duct Tape" fix, oh well I just spend $30 and get a new one. CAI yield better MPG and/or more power? what year do we living in again 1970?

 

Sherman, set the Way-Back Machine for...., 1970.

 

I would gladly take $10k go back and buy a 72 brand new Road Runner lol.

 

Yeah, I'd love a 1969 Road Runner. I had a 1970 Challenger which was a lot of fun; drove that sucker 180,000 miles before it was stolen and stripped.

 

Much appreciate the input all. I've duct taped it for now but will get a new pipe shipped out to me to get it dealt with properly. I drive an 08, so that's not the proper product code it appears, as the 06-07 switchoff changed this as well it would seem.

Works for me on the CAI. There's such lower activity in the 3G forum nowadays that much of the information is 5-12 years old and while some is super thorough, some definitely isn't. Takes some wading for a person with very little mechanics background.


Thanks again!

 

During engine mount replacement the mechanic found my air intake accordion tube cracked in several places. (I'm sure age & cold weather were factors as well). It takes a week to have the $8 replacement shipped from China, so I needed to make due. Withdrawing the tube, I cleaned and sprayed Flex Seal over the cracks. This method takes more time than duct tape. LOL (I had another vehicle)
Instructions for a quality seal was to spray a thin base, wait 24 hours and repeat until sealed.
*FYI* It took me several days of spraying thicker coats before the cracks were sealed and flexed without opening.

I made the mistake of removing the spring clamp and now I can't fit it back onto the tube. Are there any ideas or tool hacks to get that spring back into the groove?

THANKS

 

had the same issue myself when installing a new, non-OE tube that came without the spring. I scrounged around for something conical that had a similar large-end diameter as the tube (I think it was one of those paint mix/measure cups) then used some electrical tape to secure it to the tube. it still took a few tries before i got it to slide down onto the tube without flying off across the garage. but this way you are stretching it out slowly and evenly until it's on.

 

After posting, in desperation, I reattached the spring ends and rolled it back onto the air tube. I Risked it and just stretched the spring over the opening with my hands to roll it on. I love your idea of first attaching a funnel though! I am going to repeat the process when the new one comes today.
I was able to compress the air tube onto the air filter box even with the spring in place, In hindsight, I should have take more care with how I used pressure. *see FAIL REPORT*

*FAIL REPORT* Expect more cracks at reinstall!
1. Sadly, my "Flex Seal" fix was a 50% success, while compressing the tube onto the air filter box, one of the two bellows cracks reappeared.
2. The vacuum port was so brittle that it split entirely when I tried to fit it over the tube. (26 degrees outside that day :cold: )
3. The carb end split when pressed into place.

 

Just get a new used one from a junkyard or ebay and call it a day.