Air intake tube keeps coming off.

[mjlisz]

Hi,

I am a new 1990 C4 owner. I really like this car. It just has a few quirks though. One is that the tube between the throttle body and the air cleaner keeps slipping off at the connection to the air cleaner. My engine is probably ruined by now. What a deal! A $37,000 car (new in 1990) and they can't put a few bucks into a design that keeps this tube connected.

Can anyone tell me how to fix this?

Is a good aftermarket fix for this (K&N maybe?)

This is killing me.

Thanks - Mike

 

[rrubel]

Are you saying that the two clips that hold the tube against the filter box are missing? There should be two spring-like metal strips, one per side.
[RICHR]

 

[mjlisz]

Yikes! You mean there are suppose to be clips on each side? I only have one large clamp that goes around the tube. I will check into the clips. Thanks.

Mike

 

[rrubel]

The clamp is around the throttle-body end, right? If the 90's L98 is set up like the earlier ones, then the air-cleaner end should look like this picture . At one end of the flexible tube is the throttle body and clamp (not shown) and at the other end is the MAF (air flow sensor) which is also clamped to the tube (rightmost red circle). The MAF is attached to the air intake box with two clamps (leftmost red circle shows the left side; right side is identical). These are off of my 86.

Unless 90 is one of those years with a MAP instead of a MAF; not sure how that setup is installed. I'm sure someone will correct me if that's the case.

[RICHR]

 

[mjlisz]

Hi,

Thanks for responding. My car has a clamp similar to what is on the throttle body in your picture on both ends. Perhaps this year does not have the side clamps?

Mike

 

[Rabbit]

I believe, if memory serves me, that the aircleaner to duct has one adel clamp (oblong). My 90 also had the same problem. Cured it by wrapping the air cleaner end with black electrical tape.
It took quite a bit of tape, but didn't look to bad. The K&N is not related to your problem.

 

[Red 90 L98 Coupe]

90 models have the MAP sensor instead of the MAP sensor used from 85-89, this being the case the intake duct is secured with two clamps (one on either end of the intake duct).

The duct popping off is a common 90 problem. Overtightening the clamps will just split your airbox at the seam (trust me I know).

To fix the problem I used my dremel to grind a lip onto the airbox where the duct fits over it. If you like I can try take a pic of what I have done and post it here or e-mail it to you if it helps. Let me know.

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

Just put a 1/16¨ X 1/4¨sheetmetal screw through the duct into the housing on each side. This fix takes about 3 min. and cures the problem for ever.