'95 Accord Vacuum hose question (pics)

[Palut]

My '95 Accord has a 4 cylinder VTEC engine. The engine code is F22B1. This is the whole engine bay to give you an idea of what it looks like:

Zooming in, here is the engine, I circled the part I have a question about:

Here are two close-ups of this little hose:

As you can see, there is a lot of nasty gunk built up on the hose. It goes through and connects to the air intake, and I'm not sure if its routed through that other tube directly beneath it. They are physically connected. The buildup didn't used to be so bad, I actually cleaned a smaller amount of junk off it 15k miles ago.

Looking my my repair manuals, I can only find this thing being referred to as "vacuum hose". I can't figure out if it's part of the EGR system, or what. Does any of you guys have any idea what this hose does, and how I can get it to stop nastifying itself?

 

[brianl703]

It's part of the PCV system. There should be a breather filter on the other end of it where it connects to the airbox. EDIT: it looks like it doesn't connect to the air filter box but to the intake duct instead. This is another common configuration, with no breather filter.

Basically it's function is to allow excess oily fumes from the crankcase, which overwhelm the PCV valve, to be sucked into the air intake.

You might want to check the PCV valve for proper operation if this hose is continually getting gunked up. EDIT: The hose itself may be leaking too, in which case the rubber portion of it should be replaced.

 

[The_Jeff]

What BrianL said. Oily vapor does normally wind up in the system during wide-open-throttle since there's no vacuum to pull it the other way through the PCV system. This is the "fresh air hose" that normally has air going into the valve cover-- that fresh air then mixes with oily vapor and gets sucked through the PCV valve and combusted.

When you replace this with a section of emissions or fuel rated hose (not ordinary vacuum hose) blow through the plastic part of the pipe into your intake and make sure it's clear. BTW, nice clean motor for 10 years old.

 

[ZR2RANDO]

"The hose itself may be leaking too, in which case the rubber portion of it should be replaced"

I second that motion, could be some small cracks/deterioration right there where the clamp/attachment to valve cover is and the oily fumes are making their oily way out. Probably should at least remove the hose and inspect the attach point..who knows there could also be cracks there too.(and verify no blockages so there is good breathing..then use a new section of hose to go back on..doesn't take much oil to make a mess huh?

 

[Palut]

quote:

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Originally posted by eljefino:
BTW, nice clean motor for 10 years old.

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Thanks a lot! Even though its old and only has 147 hp, this car is my baby. Mainly because I can't afford another one!

quote:

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Originally posted by ZR2RANDO:
doesn't take much oil to make a mess huh?

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It definitely doesn't! I hadn't really inspected this until today. I discovered that this hose has been blowing oily grit all down the passenger side of the engine, and the entire outside of the transmission is covered in oily grime! I had noticed the grime during oil changes, but it wasn't that bad before.

I'm really hoping that this is where I've been losing oil. I've been losing it at about 1/2-1 qt/1000 miles for the last 10k-15k miles. Even if this is just part of it, I'll be happy! I can see where this oil could easily get onto the exhaust pipe, and cause the burning smell I've been experiencing.

Thanks a lot for your help guys. And thanks for being so fast! I'm going to start looking for a replacement hose today, and will make sure that all those tubes are clear. I'll be sure to provide an update a few thousand miles after I get it fixed to let you know if it worked. Thanks again!

 

[seotaji]

I have the same car, but I don't have that extra hose.

Is it part of the california emissions pack?

I'm experiencing oil loss at the same rate you are, but I don't see any place where it could have gone, except being burnt b/c of leaking rings/seals.

 

[wavinwayne]

What kind of oil & filter are you running in your Honda? Oh yeah, nice clean engine, except for that one little oily spot.

If I were you, I would get a replacement hose from the Honda dealer. It shouldn't be too expensive, but I guess you never know with dealers.

 

[Palut]

quote:

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Originally posted by seotaji:
I have the same car, but I don't have that extra hose.

Is it part of the california emissions pack?

I'm experiencing oil loss at the same rate you are, but I don't see any place where it could have gone, except being burnt b/c of leaking rings/seals.

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Do you have the V-TEC model? I don't believe that its part of the California emissions pack. According to Carfax, the car lived its whole life in Oregon before I got it. But it could be. I went to the Honda dealer today, and their computer said that it was part of the PCV breather system. Just like you guys said!

quote:

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Originally posted by wavinwayne:

What kind of oil & filter are you running in your Honda? Oh yeah, nice clean engine, except for that one little oily spot.

If I were you, I would get a replacement hose from the Honda dealer. It shouldn't be too expensive, but I guess you never know with dealers.

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I ran Chevron 10w30 with ARX, and the consumption started. That's when I first noticed the buildup on this hose. Since then I've run Rotella-T 5W-40, Redline 10w30, and now Mobil 1 10w30. Purolator Premium Plus filters before, now a free Bosch Premium from Schuck's.

The hose was only $4.12 after tax, but will take a week or so to get here, as they didn't have one in stock.

 

[seotaji]

quote:

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Do you have the V-TEC model?

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Yep, 95 EX.

Mine only has the PCV hose in the top middle of the cover.

Otherwise our valvecovers are the same.

You might have more HP than me though, since you stated that you had 147 and I believe my car has 145. Don't hold me to that though.

 

[Palut]

quote:

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Originally posted by seotaji:
You might have more HP than me though, since you stated that you had 147 and I believe my car has 145. Don't hold me to that though.

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Actually, I think I was mistaken. The car actually has 145 hp @5500 rpm and 147 ft-lbs of torque @ 4500 rpm. Sorry about that. That's weird about yours not having that hose though!

 

[Palut]

Alrighty! Here's an update: I got the hose replaced quite about 2 weeks ago, and now I'm finally getting around to posting a pic of the old one.

Notice the tear in the side of the hose. That's where all the crap was coming out of. That area has been staying nice and clean since I replaced the hose. Thanks for all your help guys!