I have a 1989 328 and I recently noticed something that makes me wonder. On the left side of the red intake box which sits on top of the engine is a threaded connector....but it is not connected to anything. It is on the left side of the unit, closer to the front of the car, as opposed to the back. There are no loose or unconnected hoses anywhere else that I can find, so I am not sure if it should be connected or not. Anyone know what the deal is? thanks
It's not a stupid question. When you say "threaded connector on the left side of the intake box", do you mean a nipple threaded into the plenum? Or are you referring to something seperate from the plenum, but on the left side of it? Now these may seem like stupid questions. There are 2 nipples (a large diameter and a small diameter) threaded into the left side of the plenum.
Still not sure. Look down off the left side of the engine and you should see a black cylindrical object in an almost vertical position. There are nipples for a small hose and a large hose. That's the oil vapor seperator; are there hoses connected to both nipples?
Your profile doesn't say whether this is a US model. The parts catalog lists three connections on the left side of the plenum box. The aftmost is the connection to the vacuum sensor in the computer (why they put it inside the computer box is a mystery), the middle is the vacuum line to the power brake servo, and the forward most is "119466 Nipple for blow-by and A.C. - Not for US". Where most 328s get the vacuum for the air injection cutoff from the underside of the throttle body, the 1988 Swiss and Austrian models connected to the plenum box, as far as I can make out from the spare parts catalog.
Do you guys have a problem with the aft vacuum line chafing against the top of the oil filter? I didn't want to cut the line to shorten it, so I just wrapped it with some high quality electrical tape where it touches the filter.
dave - the piece that appears to be missing on mine is the thicker of the black hoses which comes out of the left side of your plenum...do you know what that is for? to the best of my knowledge, I have never had one there. I have owned the car for over a year and it has been serviced regularly by an independent mechanic as well as having a tech inspection done by WWOC but no one has mentioned this to me yet Confused...
That's the vacuum line for the power brake servo ... for vehicles without ABS. Your's must have ABS (convex rims).
Mine does have ABS, it is an '89 with convex wheels. thanks for all the help - this board is really great
As DGS suggested, it would be very helpful if you filled out your profile. Knowing you live in North America and have an 1989 model can make things much easier to identify.
It isn't an issue on mine. You can play with the routing by the side wall (where the check valve is) to route it so it doesn't hang directly over the filter.