What is this? and why is it leaking air?

[folivier]

Not sure what this part is, I'll try and get a picture tomorrow. While I had the engine running after cleaning the radiator, I heard an air leak behind the driver side headlights. Above the solenoid 6-pack there is a small black device with wires, an air line, and what looks like 2 rubber hoses (vacuum lines?) going up where the dash would be. On the bottom there is a nozzle (?) that was blowing air. I did have the dash a/c running (even though it doesn't blow cold) to circulate air since I was going to move it under the cover.
I've never noticed this before, really don't use the dash air since it doesn't work. Is this some type of device to provide a vacuum for the a/c to work? Is air blowing out of the nozzle normal?
Really want to make sure this is not a problem that I should fix before I use it again.
Thanks. Don't you love these little mysteries?

[chockwald]

Glad to see you are cleaning your radiator. I had a chance the other day to really clean mine thoroughly. Bought a gallon of Simple Green and filled up one of those garden sprayers (2 to 1 ratio) and then liberally sprayed both sides of the radiator until the 1.5 gallon sprayer was empty, then sprayed off both sides....it's never been that clean!

On the issue you posted about, I have absolutely no idea, but I'm sure Michael, or Tom will have an idea. Good luck!

[HoosierDaddy]

Hi Forest,
My GUESS is that it is a vacuum generator. I think your dash-air needs vacuum to operate.
BTW I currently "borrowed" the pic of your Newell for my 'puter desk-top wallpaper. I really like the paint design.

[tuga]

Forest, don't feel bad about your dash AC not working. I spent a small fortune on mine in my 93 Newell and it never did work! I think that it has something to do with the evaporator being too far from the dash area or something like that.

The dash AC in my 99 is a different kind and the evaporator is in the front compartment where the generator blower is located. In 4 years of use I had to add a little freon once.

[fulltiming]

Forest, there is a vacuum generator in or near the location you describe. It is used to switch the heater/AC from blowing through the dash vents to blowing through the windshield defroster vents. If that is the problem, they are no longer available and you will need to install an electric vacuum pump. Tom had to do that recently and has the part numbers and installation information in this post: http://www.newellclassic.com/forum/showthread.php?t=997

[folivier]

OK, I played around with it a bit and here is what it is doing: with the ignition on or off and the dash air control in off it does not blow air. With ignition on and dash control in any mode it blows air continually through the brownish/red nozzle. Does this possibly create a vacuum via a venturi effect? If so then it may be working properly. Like I said before I have never used the dash air or heater, etc. so never heard this leak.

[encantotom]

that is the air powered vacuum generator. it has to let air out to generate the vacuum. it doesnt take much to make the vacuum. mine was always on and was always pushing air through it.

the pressure regulator is in that unit so one line is the air source (the big one), one small one is a vacuum line and the other is a vacuum line that comes from the softball size tank behind the dash that goes to the regulator. when i replace mine with a 12v one i mounted in the front bay behind the drivers side headlight, i had to plug the one that goes to the regulator with a golf tee.

it uses vacuum for the vent switchover. it is turned on by the key and the push button for defrost and vent.

call me if you need me to talk you through it. i used a hand vacuum pump to test my system and to watch the louvers on the bottom of the plenum under the passenger side headlight to see if they moved. the round ones ont he bottom are for vent and if it is quiet you can hear the defrost ones move too.

tom

[folivier]

Hi Forest,
BTW I currently "borrowed" the pic of your Newell for my 'puter desk-top wallpaper. I really like the paint design.

John Stahr of Oregon did the paint for the original owner. Glad you like it.