Did someone bypass my EGR!?!

[dmdodd]

Hey there,

The vaccuum tee between the intake manifold tube and the EGR line that runs to the evaporator canistor broke this evening, partly my fault, partly brittle 30-yr-old plastic

When I looked into the broken piece however, the cross piece is isolated from the teed-in tube (see pics).
I was under the impression that the tee would be hollow, to allow airflow through the tee!?! hmmmm
Did someone replace the tee with one that doesn't allow airflow to connect? if so, why?

Once again, thanks in advance!

~Dan

Notice how the tee, doesn't actually airflow through it!?!

 

[wishuwerehere82]

If you look from the end of the straight sections, there should be some very small holes drilled through to the other tubes. The holes are designed to allow a small amount of aiflow through at a time. If they're not there, maybe it's been epoxied shut.

 

[dmdodd]

I just removed the broken tee, and looking down the length of the main tube, it's completely clear of obstructions.
However the small teed-in tube (from the intake manifold) doesn't actually tee into this main tube (that runs from evap canister on driver's side to EGR valve).

Is this stock!?! That the plastic tee-piece doesn't actually allow the pipes to connect (as shown in the 2nd picture)? :confused


~Dan

 

[wishuwerehere82]

It could be a bubba fix.
One method to inhibit the EGR is to put a ball bearing in the line. Another is to epoxy the hole closed. Niether are visually detectable during inspection.

 

[minifridge1138]

Could be a bubba.

When I bought my car there was a ball bearing in the vacuum line to the distributor advance.

Good Luck!

 

[dmdodd]

How the heck does plugging the vacuum advance line to distributor with a ball bearing help!?!

Anyways. On closer inspection of the problem vacuum tee-piece, a friend noticed that it does in fact have a minute slit in the main tube (see the sooty area top left of the tee-intersection, second picture), so the tee is more of a restrictor, than a fully-closed piece.
This begs the question - is this restrictor stock, or should it have an unrestricted hole at the intersection??
Could someone check?
I need to get back on the road soon, and don't know if the tee-piece has to be this specific restrictor part, or a standard buy-from-any-hardware-shop-vacuum-tee-piece. :confused

~Dan

 

[Vette79]

I removed all that emissions stuff long ago. I'm not sure what impact there would be with just a standard tee but why don't you try it. I'm sure someone will chime in with a real world answer.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

It's supposed to be a restricted opening to the other section. It keeps the EGR motion slow and controlled, instead of just slamming open. You would notice a stumble and HP drop if it did.