Let's talk about HVAC vacuum lines

[hear]

The vacuum lines that feed the HVAC stuff on the firewall side are a strange choice (at least to me). They're sort of hard lines that I've recently learned are extremely brittle. Do we know why the factory chose that option? And perhaps more importantly is there any reason why I can't just replace them with the standard 3/16" rubber vacuum line and some tees from the parts store?

 

[NWPA Jeepy T]

Or hard lines, like brake line or something?

 

[hear]

Or hard lines, like brake line or something?

that seems unnecessarily challenging. I got some 3/16" hose which seems to fit the check valves. Gonna replace the whole run from the intake to the firewall check valve and see where we land. It can't work worse than what I currently have!

 

[Mike_H]

that seems unnecessarily challenging. I got some 3/16" hose which seems to fit the check valves. Gonna replace the whole run from the intake to the firewall check valve and see where we land. It can't work worse than what I currently have!

If it doesn't collapse, it should be fine. I have an emissions era engine (in my motorhome) that has all new rubber lines on it. They have not been an issue.

 

[CharlesHS]

You could purchase 1/16" silicon line and create your own vacuum lines using the rubber hose to connect to the intake manifold fittings.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PPTWBQK/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[hear]

You could purchase 1/16" silicon line and create your own vacuum lines using the rubber hose to connect to the intake manifold fittings.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PPTWBQK/?tag=wranglerorg-20

The hose I picked up looks to fit very snug over the check valves. Dude at the store came back with 3/16" fuel line, which seems way too heavy, but it's rated at 50psi....not -50 psi, hopefully that's not a problem. I was definitely expecting something thinner, but if it works I don't care.

 

[Wildman]

You can get vacuum line in which ever size you need.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B71GC391/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[hear]

Fuel line from Oreilly worked perfectly. But the thread was primarily around why the factory chose what they chose for the "hard" vacuum line. standard rubber seems like a much easier choice all the way around.

 

[NWPA Jeepy T]