My '98 v70 AWD (130 K miles and counting) seem to have a delay when I step on the gas. The check engine light then came on. Of course, this happened today (Christmas Eve) and mechanics are closed. I was planning to drive to Albany NY (about 300 miles round trip) for Christmas, but I'm a bit anxious. When I was looking for possible culprits, I found holes in the flexible part of what I think is the "air distribution hose." I patched w/duct tape. I am wondering whether this might be the culprit: would it cause a delay/slight loss of power? Also, if so, and if the duct tape patch works, can I drive it w/out causing damage? It seems to run fine except for the lag. Thanks

Hello all and Merry Christmas! I think what you are describing is the small air intake hose that connects into the computer box. It connects to the fan shroud and then has a ribbed section which becomes an oval section that provides fresh air for the engine and tranny computers. This will not cause a code or a CEL to come on.

The hose from the air cleaner to the turbo? Duct tape will hold for a month or so. Any air leakage in that hose will mess up the air metering system and set a code for the MAF, but that should go away.

If the holes are in a different part of the Intercooler piping, then that would really mess up accelleration because boost pressure would be lost and cause a severe lag. This could also cause a code for the front O2 sensor, running rich.

In either case, go for your trip. Carry more duct tape with you, in case the original wrap comes undone.

Merry Christmas,

Klaus
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Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

It can cause it, the engine opens up and then sucks a bunch of unmetered air through. I'm assuming you mean the big plastic hose going from the air box to the engine. Drive it around town and check it before you take the long trip, but it should be fine. Ducktape usually won't break down until you get in the 250s-300s which is temperatures your car shouldn't be seeing in Buffalo this time of year.
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If you're not driving it "like its stolen," are you really driving?