Vacuum hoses

[AusTex 72Wag]

Just what are they and how importantly do they figure into everything? I replaced my oil breather cap today and also got a new PVC hose (the one that connects it to the air cleaner) and I could almost swear that the Wag runs better. My imagination? My need to believe that it would be a smoother acceleration? Or is this for real?

[joe]

What are they?...well gee...they're vacuum hoses. smile.gif They carry vacuum. smile.gif
Depending on what year rig you have they run most of your smog stuff, EGR, air cleaner etc, distributor vacuum advance, your power brake booster, heater controls, transfer case, front axle disconnect...
Yup, I'd say they're fairly important. :D

[AusTex 72Wag]

Okay, okay... I'll look it up in Chilton's!

My old PVC hose that ran from the oil breather to the air cleaner was cracked at both ends, so I was never sure what good it was doing, if any at all. Now that I have the newer, snugger-fitting hose it feels like I have more power.

I'll pull out both Chilton's and Haynes and write an essay on the importance of vacuum hoses, okay? LOL

[PlumCrazyChris]

Cool, I'm glad it helped.

I don't think a new breather cap would make much difference, unless the old one was plugged.

The PVC hose going to the air filter housing wouldn't make much difference if the old one was leaking (just discharge to the atmosphere), but if it was plugged as well, then I could see it making a difference. I suppose that could change the vacuum level within the motor some.

What it might do, is relieve pressure in your block and not encourage oil leaks....maybe.

I guess I would just be pleased to have it running better.

[Jambo1]

Tex, I bought about 8 ft of vac hose and replaced all that I could get to. If you have a vac leak your motor will idle bad. Spray some WD40 on your vac line connections while the motor is running to see if your idlle goes up, if it does you got a leak there. I would replace all of it if you can, it's a fairly inexpensive job for how much it helps. It made a world of difference in my wag. Good luck. :D

[ambrose]

this is for a 79 with a 360, but may give you some tips ....

http://jeeps.croakingfrogfarm.com/technical.htm

have fun .... <g>

ambrose

[AusTex 72Wag]

You are all true gentlemen (unless you tell me otherwise!)

The old cap had a bent stem, but I doubt it was creased bad enough to cause a blockage. In fact, it probably wasn't offering any type of vacuum at all. As I posted earlier, both ends were flared and cracked, too. So that's why I wondered why the sudden increase in performance. I do believe that the rest of the vacuum hoses were replaced by my good friends at JEEP MASTERS, South Austin's Jeep Experts (shameless plug; more info on Jeep Masters at my Wag's website).