Hi guys. My Bentley Manual just came in the mail and I figured before I attempt any bigger repairs on my car I should give the routine PCV maintenance a shot. I began by removing the 11mm brass fitting in the intake manifold and then removing the small hose on top of the manifold that connects to it.
This hose appears completely blocked and nearly impossible to clean. However I've also noticed that where this hose "plugs" back into the manifold, there is no conduit for airflow whatsoever, simply solid metal. What is the point of this? And why should I worry about this blocked hose if it leads to a ventless hole anyway??

 

Update: apparently there is a "vacuum assist hose" that is supposed to connect to the flame trap and then to the brass connector. This hose wasn't connected to my flame trap at all (this is an 89 B230F)
I am stumped and a bit concerned.

 

UPDATE AGAIN: it appears that a "previous owner" had broken the piece of the flame trap assembly that connects to the vacuum assist hose and stuffed the hose into a convenient hole in the manifold. Before I panic, is there some quirk of the 89 MY I'm unaware of that renders the assist hose useless and would warrant such a "modification"?
I apologize for this train wreck of epiphanies, I've been struggling for information for hours.

 

No reason to panic, just get the flame trap plastic piece and connect it to the hose you found. Sounds like the PCV system needs attention. Take out the oil separator and make sure it's not blocked, get a new one if it is. The Bentley manual should have a good explanation of this. A good PCV is quite necessary to keep seals from blowing and causing oil leaks.

 

Do you know where I can source a new hose from? I ordered the OE flame trap kit from IPD but it doesn't seem to include the vacuum assist hose, which also doesn't seem to appear anywhere on the site. Is this some kind of generic stock hose I can get at any auto parts supplier? Thanks

 

Very generic, any parts store should carry it.