The capped air line bolted to the driver side

[DaemonForce]

Does anyone here still have this? I do and it doesn't go anywhere. I'm in the middle of cleaning up my manifolds and noticed the line that comes up onto the driver's side of the engine compartment from what looks like the differential. Does anyone know what this is...Errr was? There's a break in the line where the EGR stuff plugs into the exhaust. I'm guessing the header got hot and roasted the rubber line in two.

[Billman]

Thats a vent for the front differential I think

[DaemonForce]

Aha! I was right! This thing breathes! (≧◡≦)

So...I definitely need to unmount this thing and replace the line. What is a common consequence of not doing this or just letting the line expose itself directly to the atmosphere? I believe my differential may be contaminated with a bunch of caked oil from 30 years and God knows what else. How can I check for damage?

[BenM]

Don't drive through heavy water with the hose hanging. If you don't know the last time someone changed the fluid in the differentials then now's the time to do it. As long as the gears don't look pitted you're fine.

It's just a few bolts and an inexpensive gasket to drain and fill. The hose is just normal rubber hose, and the plastic part on top prevents water from draining in. Check the hose in the back that should connect from the axle to a little nipple up on the body as well.