I've got two questions basically for a '99 3100:

1.) There is a lot of hissing going on in the PCV system, the rubber boot was pretty cracked up so I electrical-taped it pretty good but it still hisses. The valve seems to be operating fine but I know nothing so don't take my word for it. You can feel the valve opening and closing if you hold it. I cannot feel any cracks or suction along the fatter tube to the throttle body but I still hear it...put a steth on it and that's definitely where it's coming from.

If I just disconnect the valve from the tube (excuse my lack of auto vocab) and cap it with my thumb I still hear the hissing, so it has nothing to do in my opinion with the valve itself or at the cover.

I guess my question is, is there a malfunction (which may be brought up in the second question) in the general system that would cause that? It presents itself as a slight vacuum leak, too. The car stumbles sometimes. The hissing goes away when revved. Can the "fat tube" be replaced leaving it connected to the throttle body and the skinny tube to the purge solenoid or is it one unit?

2.) Purge solenoid clunks when I turn the key to start it. Normally I just hear the fuel pump but now I hear about 4 rapid "clunks". Do not hear it while the car is idling or driving. What could this mean?

Thanks :)

Welcome to AF. Look close at the entire pcv system for other vacuum leaks, replace the entire line and/or grommet/connector also.

Thanks maxwedge. :)

Some more questions for anyone that can help, as my car seems to be falling apart in every direction:

What is that sensor or connector at the bottom of the oil pan? I unplugged it to clean off the plastic cover around the wires (full of oil) and coincidence or not, the following two things have happened the second I started the car:

1.) The car is a total dog and can not pass other cars. It accelerates fine under "normal" acceleration. Driving it hard (i.e. WOT will cause the car to "stick" in its current gear and basically make a lot of noise. This happens in first and second for sure, haven't gotten on a freeway to test third. If I am cruising along at say 60mph and gun it, it drops to second gear but peaks at 60mph and makes a lot of noise. The transmission fuses were fine, fluid is at proper level and was changed with a new filter last year and the fluid is still bright red. --It's something with the engine. Transmission seems fine. The engine is just a dog at high RPM. Accelerates fine...completely normal at low to mid engine speed, there is nothing in the top end.

2.) A/C went out (was working fine earlier today). The A/C clutch does not seem to engage when A/C is on or if I put on the rear defrost or defrost for the windshield. I think the A/C itself is fine the clutch just does not engage. I noticed at the oil filter a green wire has a bare spot which appears to go into the A/C clutch or compressor or whatever it is (but there's also another thing that plugs in). I checked all the fuses in the dash and under the hood related to A/C and all are fine including the larger fuse that is the same amperage as the fuel pump's (just swapped them and the fuel pump worked, assuming that fuse was fine). The fans will engage when the engine reaches temperature.

The car will be brought in next week but I'm just curious if any of you have any possible things I might be looking at when I do bring it in. Sorry I do not have any engine codes (the SES light is on, though, has been since the PCV "failure" and before loss of A/C and dogging around). Thanks :)