Can't ID fitting connected between MAF and TB

2008 Mercury Mountaineer V6 SOHC. Getting an engine code for too lean on both banks, and guessing air leak between the MAF and throttle body. The SUV idles, runs, and drives okay.

The fitting is indicated in the attached photo. It is in a raised boss on the valve cover, and the other end of the hose attaches to the rubber intake air duct about halfway between the air filter/MAF and the throttle body. First guess was PCV valve, but no electrical connection and doesn't correspond to the part in catalogs or location shown in videos. It is in an elastomeric fitting in the valve cover that's dirty and fairly loose, so possible air leak.

That looks like it would be a PCV elbow. The PCV is usually purely mechanical. I can't think of any vehicle I've seen an electrical connector on the PCV. I'm not sure of any other possible name for it either, although with the green fitting clip it might be considered part of the EVAPorative emissions system.

-Rod

I suspect it of being the PCV valve, but the part for the Mountaineer that comes up on Chilton and parts catalogs appears to have an electrical heater. In those and in videos, the PCV shows up on the other side of the engine at the rear. Maybe a regional difference?

I have to take back my comment. Apparently there are heated PCV valves that do have electrical connectors. Very interesting, never noticed one of those before.

Anyway, it appears this is listed on the Ford parts sites as part of the "connecting hose" in the Emission Control sections. I think it's this part:
1L2Z-6853-AA (https://www.fordpartsgiant.com/parts/ford-hose-connecting_1l2z-6853-aa.html)

-Rod

Turns out, as indicated in catalogs and the Chilton manuals, the PCV valve is on the other side of the engine at the aft end, and connects directly to the intake manifold. Still don't know what the part in the photo is.

Does it not match up to the part I linked to above?

-Rod

That part number is for the hose for the PCV valve, which connects the PCV directly to the back of the intake manifold. The part I showed in the photo is about in the middle of the opposite valve cover. It connects to the rubber air pipe that connects the air filter and MAF sensor to the opening of the throttle body.

Okay. It sure looks like it has the right shape and elbow. It's too bad the site doesn't seem to show where on the engine it goes.

-Rod