Identify the Part

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Feb 17, 2004 | 12:44 PM

napfam5

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From: Cornwall N.Y

Identify the Part

I was wondering if someone could Identify an engine part that I don't recognize. I'm a proud new owner of a used 1994 Aerostar XL 3.0 with 145,000 miles (can't complain, it cost me a 100.00 bucks!). Recently I was checking out the engine with it's wonderful array of wires, tubes, hoses, and belts and came across a part that I can't recognize. I found this part by looking at the back of the engine through the engine cover located on the inside of the cab. Just slightly above the distributor cap off to the left is a part that has several hoses connected to it. And it's not the PCV valve. Unfortunately there are two area's on this part that looks as if there should be a tube or vacuum hose connected to them and the other two valves have hoses coming off this mysterious part and leading back to the front of the fire wall into another part next to the master cylinder. Can anyone tell me what this part is and if so should there be any hoses coming off of it and leading somewhere. Thanks????

Feb 17, 2004 | 01:30 PM

JTHill24

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From: Orland USA

You must be talking about the Vacuum Tree.........

Feb 17, 2004 | 02:15 PM

napfam5

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From: Cornwall N.Y

I guess it does kinda look like a tree in a way. If thats the case should each branch have a hose coming off of it and going somewhere. Thanks

Feb 17, 2004 | 03:40 PM

copper_90680

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From: Southern California

No, not every branch has to go somewhere. Some of them are plugged with a rubber vacuum plug.

Feb 18, 2004 | 12:28 AM

xlt4wd90

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From: SoCal

Sometimes if I let off on the starter too soon while trying to start the engine, it does not start, but backfires a little. This can blow off some of the lines and plugs from the vacuum tree. If I manage to start the engine again, it would run like it was on 2 cylinders, and the Check Engine light would come on. It's gotten to the point that I have now installed lines in place of the plugs; A single line will connect to two fittings on the tree, and an odd nu,ber of opennings are connected with TEE'd lines. When the engine backfires again, usually only one end of a line pops off, so I just reconnect it. When I had plugs, and they popped off, I usually have no chance of finding them.

Feb 18, 2004 | 07:26 AM

agelder

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From: Acworth, GA

Was there any fluid in the lines? Transmission Vacuum modulators go bad and will leak transmission fluid into the vacuum system (mine is), and this pretty much ruins vacuum lines (pop off really easily). If this is the case, A: replace the modulator (my weekend project hopefully) and B: Replace the vacuum lines. As a temp fix for those popping off, break out the small hose clamps.

Feb 18, 2004 | 09:12 AM

napfam5

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From: Cornwall N.Y

Yea, when I first found the vacuum tree it had a small amount of transmission fluid coming out of it and falling onto the back of the engine. And apparently this had been going on for awhile considering the amount of burnt fluid on the engine. Since then I plugged the two valves with hose clamps. Where would I find the transmission modulator?