Hi,

I broke a npple off of my purge control solenoid, so I bought a used one off someone on the forum. However, when I look at the two...they're not the same. The old one is plastic and has two nipples next to each other on one end, and the electrical connector on the other. The new one has a metal case, and the configuration of nipples and connector is the same EXCEPT on the connector end there is a third nipple under a cap. Eh? I'm hesitant to put this on...isn't the purge control valve trying to route gas fumes back into the intake or something like that? I'm not sure what the third nipple is for, but it doesn't seem right.

To make matters even stranger, the underhood diagram of the solenoids shows a picture that seems to match the new one...so maybe its right after all, but then why is the old one different?

Any ideas? Or reasons why I should not care and just put it in?

Thanks,
jds

 

With no picture I will guess . the purge sol has a stud to hold it on . the turbo control sol looks like it but the stud is longer and the flow is different . There is a sol clipped on the rack that is called ,turbo control, but it does not have a threaded stud . This is a guess with no picture .

 

Hmmm, OK both my original purge control and the new mystery solenoid have a threaded stud, and the stud on the mystery solenoid is definitely longer. Let me try to get a picture up. What is the difference between the two "turbo control" solenoids you mentioned? Also...I currently have the line from the catch tank going through a check valve directly to the manifold, and bypassing the purge control solenoid (I did leave it plugged in electrically in case it would otherwise throw an error code). Is this posing any sort of hazard? I didn't actually do this, I discovered that it had been done at some point by a shop. I just don't know if it matters. I bought the new purge control (or whatever it is!) figuring what the hell, it can't be bad to fix it right, but...how necessary is it? I'm not too excited about paying $50 for a new one.

jds

 

The purpose of the solenoid is to close the vent line from the catch tank to the manifold when your engine is shut off, preventing combustible fumes from accumulating in your manifold, going boom when you start up next time. I have no idea how likely this is to happen though.

 

Yeah, that whole "boom" thing had me worried...however I have no idea how long its been like this...but I haven't gone boom yet.

Still...I think I'll continue to look for the proper solenoid.

Thanks everyone for the info. I guess if my turbo control solenoid goes, I'll have one!

jds

 

yeah that boom happened with my car every time i started it up without the purge solenoid. I had a full exhaust it was very loud and scary haha
I'd get the correct solenoid. When I was doing the turbo simplification I tried to use the purge solenoid in place of the turbo control solenoid and I couldn't get a boost pattern close to stock so it must flow different.

there are 2 turbo control solenoids. The one mounted on the air control valve and one on the rack.

If you take a picture of yours and send the solenoid to me I can fix it pretty easily for you.

Snook

 

Snook you have a PM!