97 GV Vacuum pump

On the passenger fender of my GV, there is this soft plastic thing that has a bunch of vacuum lines coming out of it. I makes noise when the car runs, it makes more noise if you squeeze it.

1) What is this?

2) Should it be making noise?

Thanks in advance.

Paul

I don't have my Chilton's Manual in front of me. But I can tell you that the part you described is part of your evaporative fuel emissions system. I believe it is the purge soleinoid.

It's part of the system that captures fumes from your gas tank and recycles them into your engine. Are you getting any codes? ( check engine light) code 455 is a large leak. code 454 a small one I think.
If you don't have a code reader...Auto Zone will read the codes for you for free.

Your van's computer opens this valve at selected times and recycles the raw gas fumes that have evaporated from the gas tank and are held in the carbon canister back through the intake where they are burnt... improving fuel economy and reducing the hydrocarbons that get into the atmosphere. The computer also runs tests on this system to see if it is air tight. it uses a pump and then tests how fast the pressure falls. If it falls too fast it triggers one of the codes above. This system is supposed to be reasonably air-tight..this is the same sytem that causes the check engine light to come on if the gas cap is not on or on incorrectly i.e. loose. It is normal for this valve to click/make a noise as it opens and closes. If you don't have any codes I wouldn't worry about it.

Spit