I have a 1986 Jeep Cherokee with a 2.8L V6. Most of theparts on the vehicle are new, but they were put on by a blind monkey. After using the electrical and repair manuals to put most everything back in the right place, I am now down to the vacuum hose system. I believe it is the reason for the poor gas milage and not passing the emmisions test. The previous owner plugged various vacuum lines with wood dowel rods and screws and incorrectly connected others. I have the vacuum diagram that is stuck on the firewall, but it might as well be in another language. I recognize some of the parts on the diagram such as the carb and distributor and purge canister, but there are several others that are designated to have vacuum lines running to them such as the EGR valve, TAC Tem Sen, TAC Vac Mtr, Hon Lnr Valve, Decel Valve and orifice. Some I do not know what they look lke so I cannot be sure if a particular vacuum line is connected correctly to the right item. The carb also has several lines designated as A,B,C,D, and so on and I am not sure which one represents which connection. A clear picture of the engine with the vacuum lines would be very helpful, or either something that teaches me what each component looks like. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks and God bless. James

... A clear picture of the engine with the vacuum lines would be very helpful, or either something that teaches me what each component looks like. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks and God bless. James
James,

I don't know if you have checked out the AutoZone website yet, but they have some pretty good diagrams and sometimes actual pictures to show where things are located. Check the link below for the Vac diagrams for some Jeeps.

Vac Diagrams (http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/15/25/2c/0900823d8015252c.jsp)

There are also some other links on that page that describe how the systems operate.

Take Care,

Thanks Greg, but I still either need a "PHOTO" or something teach me what each of the engine vacuum components are. I know the basics, but my knowledge to work on vehicles quits back around 1969. There are a zillion vacuum operated objects in this 2.8L V6 engine and I can not tell one from another. Some have more than one connection and I wouldn't know the "in" side from the "out" side. The Autozone diagram is basically the same as the diagram on my Jeep firewall. I just can't tell if what the diagram shows a particular vacuum line going to is actually the correct item it connected to. The person who had this Jeep previously spent thousands of dollars attempting to get it to pass inspection. They gave up and stored it for 5 years before donating it to me. Most of what I am finding as the main problem is that most of the parts were either put on wrong or connected incorrectly. I have a ton of manuals, but the vacuum system is one weak area in the documentation. I think I am close to finishing it and getting it running correctly. I'll keep trying. Thanks for your assistance. James

Did you ever get a picture of the vacuum lines? I'm having problems getting some of the hoses behind the carb hooked up. I can't find where to hook up the Idler kicker hose (the diagram says it connects to "M" what does that mean?), there is a hose that goes from the top of the engine directly behind the carb to a "T" seperator with no hose connected to one end. The other end of the hose conncted to the "T" goes into a black cylinder on the passenger side wheel well. I connected the idler kicker line to this (even though they were different diameters) and the idle kept rising as the engine warmed up. There is a red hose about 1/4" OD that needs to be plugged into something that seems to come from the firewall. When I got this Jeep there were a ton of hoses with golf tees in them. I'm trying to set it straight. The diagram was helpful but without a key to tell what the abbreviations meant, it is confusing.

Did you ever get a picture of the vacuum lines? I'm having problems getting some of the hoses behind the carb hooked up. I can't find where to hook up the Idler kicker hose (the diagram says it connects to "M" what does that mean?), there is a hose that goes from the top of the engine directly behind the carb to a "T" seperator with no hose connected to one end. The other end of the hose conncted to the "T" goes into a black cylinder on the passenger side wheel well. I connected the idler kicker line to this (even though they were different diameters) and the idle kept rising as the engine warmed up. There is a red hose about 1/4" OD that needs to be plugged into something that seems to come from the firewall. When I got this Jeep there were a ton of hoses with golf tees in them. I'm trying to set it straight. The diagram was helpful but without a key to tell what the abbreviations meant, it is confusing.

Nitro, We may be able to help each other out a bit on our respective Jeeps. Call me at 281-463-1302 and leave a number I can reach you and a best time to call. I am in Houston, Texas which is central time, but you can leave a message 24/7 if I do not answer. I need to know which exact Jeep you have an specifics about the engine. If we have identical engines, then I may be able to help you with getting some of the hoses connected, or at least we can determine which ones are connected the same which raises the possibility of those particular vacuum hoses being correct. I can send high resolution photos to help. My email address is printing@ev1.net. Thanks, James G.

Sorry i didn't say before, I have the same '86 Cherokee Pioneer with the 2.8L V6 and 2 barrell carb. I'll give a call this weekend. I am in Seattle and will be doing more work on it this weekend (in the rain). I may be putting new gaskets on the top end of this thing for a different issue and will be able to see behind the carb and distributor for better look at any fittings there I might have missed the first time. It's hard with that nasty webwork of wires and lines. talk to you soon.

Sorry i didn't say before, I have the same '86 Cherokee Pioneer with the 2.8L V6 and 2 barrell carb. I'll give a call this weekend. I am in Seattle and will be doing more work on it this weekend (in the rain). I may be putting new gaskets on the top end of this thing for a different issue and will be able to see behind the carb and distributor for better look at any fittings there I might have missed the first time. It's hard with that nasty webwork of wires and lines. talk to you soon.

nitro, If you have a digital camera please take a picture of the top of the engine after removing the air cleaner and before you move any vacuum hoses, so I can see where your vacuum hoses connect. If you are attempting to connect the idler kicker line correctly, I can help with that. Mine actually works correctly which means it is hopefully connected correclty. Give me your email address so we can contact each other directly and not have to go through the forum. I can send you a high resolution picture of the connections and the rest of the my engine. We can then compare what is plugged and what is connected differently. One thing that has puzzeled me is a reference on the vacuum diagram to something called an "orifice" which appears to be near the drivers side of the carb, but all I find is a vacuum shich has a wooden dowel rod plugging it. I am still attempting to figure out what an "orifice " looks like. Thanks, James G.