Need to know type of sensor?

Right below the air filter there is an piece of equiptment that looks like a sensor. It has two small hoses connected to it. The device looks like a fuse with Y connectors (again the two hoses are connected to these). This sensor looks really old and the 2 hoses are soft and worn out. What is this? How much will it cost me to buy one? and could this possibly be the reason that my car is running bad when idling?

What kind of vehicle is this?

What kind of vehicle is this?

A 1993 Ford Escort 1.9 liter wagon LX

Probably the 'Purge Solenoid'. Follow the vacuum line and it should go up and mount under the throttle body. Disconnect this line at the solenoid and plug it up with something to see if it makes the problem stop. The other line should go to the charcoal cannister. That's a black, plastic box under the battery. This is emission control stuff but I guess if the solenoid were stuck open it would be like a vacuum leak and make your car run bad.

that thing is indeed a purge solonoid, when your gas in the tank evaporates it goes through a tube to the charcoal canister where it is stored in activated charcoal, when the solinoid is turned on it alows manifold vacuum to pull it from the canister into the engine, the worst that can happen if it fails would be an easily plugged vacuum leak. Do not plug the side that goes to the canister, that could cause pressure build up in the fuel tank

Golf tees are great for plugging vacuum lines :2cents: