My son has a 2001 4.3L Blazer and today we noticed a large (1/2 inch or larger) hose by the lower radiator hose that was not connected to anything but was sucking a lot of air when the truck was running. We found what looked to possibly be the fitting on or near the radiator so we connected the hose to it. Were we supposed to do this, or is this hose part of the AIR injection system and it should not be connected to anything because it is not really part of the vacuum system?

Thanks in advance and happy 4th!

 

That's the intake hose for the AIR system. It should be connected to the pump, sounds like you put it back to the right place. Put a zip-tie on it so it doesn't fall off again.

 

no no no that end of the hose needs to be left open, thats the intake for the air pump for your air injection system for your exhuast, i see it all the time when people plug that end to something and burn out that $150-200 air pump motor. trust me that end needs to just be left open. the other end of the hose thats on the pump is held on by a metal brand and i have never seen them come off the pump, so leave the end thats by your lower radiator hose open.

 

Thanks for the heads up. My son said he had an electrical smell today from the truck; hopefully we didnt kill the pump already. He has since pulled the hose off whatever we had connected it to. Looks like it would be a nightmare to replace and expensive too. If we burned out the pump would it throw a code or produce noticeable symptoms?

 

I didn't mean PLUG it off! I meant use a plastic zip tie around the hose in lieu of a clamp. The intake is placed up on the radiator shroud to minimize the pump sucking water, it if just sucked air into the pump down there if you ever crossed a creek 4 wheeling...... The pump burning out is a too common thing, if it is you'll get a check engine light and a code P0410 (been there, bought the t-shirt - er, pump). No symptoms though, it adds air to the exhaust so the catalytic converter works properly and has no noticeable impact on the way the engine runs.

 

I think we are all on the same page, thanks for the advice and so far no codes......

Thanks again gentlemen....

 

Ronjon sorry if my comment came off as a little strong i wasnt really refering to your comment i was refering to cashmgr's comment about them connecting it to something, i new what you were talking about making sure the other end was connected to the pump, im a mechanic and every now and again i see a blazer that has that air injection system and when people find that hose they automatically think it has to be connected to something and thats when they end up burning up their pump.

 

Fortunately all is well, pump is running fine and I'm a bit more educated. Sometimes as we are communicating in words only misinterpretations happen. Everyone here is trying to help others and I certainly appreciate that you guys cared enough to set me straight on how this should be managed. No one should take offense to misunderstandings, they happen all the time. Collectively you guys saved me a couple hundred bucks in mistakes and I am grateful for that.