This is a vacuum connector in the engine bay. It broke and I replaced it by connecting the vacuum hoses with a piece of rubber tubing. I was wondering if this was strictly a connector or if had any function like regulating the vacuum at all. Essentially, will the rubber tubing do or do I need to replace this part? Thanks.

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Looks like the primary discharge valve of the hypo transfunctioner, attached to the bypass actuator assembly for the dampening bushing.
NAH.... Just kidding... I have no idea!

i wonder if it could be some kind of check valve... dont know a damn thing about the vacuum system but figured i would give it a go...

Looks like it has some function other than just to look pretty. I would look at the emissions diagram sticker under the hood for some clue. If it is part of the emissions system then it should be shown on the diagram. Can you glue the old one back together?

Mike

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1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

It doen't have a true function other than connecting the hoses together, so technically you are OK with what you did, just use a piece of vacuum hose, as long as it seals tight you are OK. I assume MB thought this was a better way to join the 2 hoses together. Usually you can use I believe it's a 6mm open end wrench to pry the vacuum lines apart if you need to disconnect the hoses. This is a similar design to what they use on the PSE pump and so forth (this is a control module though), this just looks different because it's kind of out there "floating" joining this line together.
Gilly

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Thanks, Gilly. I now rest assured. Actually I was wondering what tool would be used to disconnect this vacuum connector and those smaller ones. Open ended wrench is all? Interesting. I thought maybe you guys have a special tool.

By the way, Gilly, if you read this thread again, I've had an ongoing question about the pedal, bowden cable, and manifold adjustments.

Those three adjustments I've noticed really affect the way the car drives.
I've had some really good results which I lost by trying to fine tune too much but throttle response, shift feel, and launch smoothness are affected by adjusting them (No surprise, I guess, considering what they're connected to).

What's the procedure for adjusting them? I'll start a new thread to avoid confusion, if you'd like. Maybe some of the other people would benefit also. Again, thanks.