WTF? KABOOM???!!!

[tangerinedream]

Took my car out for a blast at lunchtime today to clear the cobwebs. Put it back in the garage, left fans on to cool with bonnet open etc. Turned fans off, again leaving bonnet open to carry on cooling. Came back an hour later and stood admiring the engine bay. Notice hose that I haven't noticed before and wonder where it goes. Follow it down and find it's not attached to anything at the end (even though there is a jubilee clip suggesting it should be attached to something... Pull out and lay on top of panel:






I trace it back towards the engine (noticing that it says "For normal and lead free fuel" on it...) and it reaches a four way crossroads. The two branches at right angles to it go to what I believe are the throttle pots or fuel rails (Mechanical novice, just learning, sorry). The branch opposite heads off towards the dash:





No fuel (or anything) on floor. Do I need to worry? Of possible relevance is that I recently had it serviced by Str8Six and one of the items on the list of issues they identified (and fixed) was "Fuel cooler hose is loose and falling onto front pulley, requires proper fixing". Is the loose hose anything to do with the fuel cooler?

Cheers guys - any advice much appreciated.

[tangerinedream]

Twinkam said:

I'm no expert, but I recognise the '4-way connector' as being part of the breather system (and breather hoses need to be oil-resistant, hence the 'suitable for fuel' blurb). So no need to panic.
I can't tell you if that loose pipe is meant to breathe to atmosphere or eg the airbox, as I know absolutely nothing of the S6, but I'm sure that someone else will be along soon!

Edited by Twinkam on Monday 4th July 17:09

I should have said - mine is a 4.2 - one of the earlier ones with the dipstick at the back (which you can see in one of the photos).

[tangerinedream]

Juddder said:

That looks like the Fuel Cooler hose - you can see better pictures of it half way down this thread here

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=20&...

I believe it should connect to the fuel cooler, which is the thing at the bottom of your first photo like this picture here

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=138...

Thanks Alex. Is this the photo of the fuel cooler?

http://thumbsnap.com/fOs3bN7d

If so, then I have the two hoses going into it already (and they're both secure). You can see them in the second photo unless I've misunderstood?

I'll see if there's a likely hole in the airbox (thanks for the great photo Jabbah) but either way thanks to everyone for the help. Doesn't sound like any explosions are imminent...

Edited by tangerinedream on Monday 4th July 18:12

[tangerinedream]

Just to conclude this, thanks to Jabbah, I've found the hole. Photos below. It's a small cylinder below the airbox (see photos below). I now just need to glue it - it looks like someone used silicone sealant last time (hence it falling out I guess...). For interest, could anyone explain what this pipe/hole is for? What does it do?

[tangerinedream]

I am lucky enough to own Carbon Al's old car. All genuine carbon fibre, bar the dash and steering wheel. My particular favourites are the moulded door cards so you have an arm-rest (SO comfortable) and the carbon cone filters before the air intake reaches the airbox. Took them apart recently to clean the (lifetime guarantee) Green Cotton Filters inside. It did leave me scratcing my head as to where air filters go on a normal set-up. Anyone?

[tangerinedream]

Sorry for tardy response. Carbon Al made all these bits himself - he's a composites expert AND I have just found out from Chris Wurz Evans on Facebook (who met up with Carbon Al - Alan Thompson recently that he still has all the molds. Going to try and get in touch as the panel below my windscreen is starting to look tatty, so may see if Al is up for making Cerb bits again. I'll let you know how I get on in case anyone else wants their car to look awesome beyond belief...