Ok - let me set up the scenario. My Distributor Cap hold down screw threads got stripped during a cap replacement, so I had the cap held down with zip ties. On a long trip (600 miles or so) my EGR started throwing it's code 32. I drove this way for a while with an occasional surge slowing down. Wasn't a big deal, I just figured replace this stuff and it'll be cool. So I went to replace my distributor. Ended up with all kinds of operator-error problems. I forgot to mark the position of the distributor and had to re-time it and when I finally got it where I thought it was right, I found the dial on the back on my timing light (was setting it at 30-35* BTDC instead of 10*). Talk about depressing. So finally I have my distributor timed, but now the car is surging consistently. It's only doing it at idle in gear, and it only happens when it's warm. I've run fuel injection cleaner through it and rinsed the EGR valve with carb spray (of course, it's digital so I probably killed it right there). What else should I check? I also have a weird orb/sphere that popped out of my car when I crashed the front driver-side fender - what is that? It's got a little nipple that looks like a vacuum line attaches to it. Carb sprayed the engine - don't think there are any vacuum leaks (besides possibly the EGR valve and this sphere thing which were both present before I replaced the distributor, which leads me to think that these are not the culprits. Wouldn't it throw a code though if the EGR was stuck open? Only throws it after deccelerating from 50-60mph). Anyway I'm ready to throw this car to the curb (not really, but riding the bus sucks my *****). Do you think this surging is ok to drive on? Can I cause more damage driving it around?

 

That orb is a vacuum canister.... check all your vacumm lines and you should be good.

 

So I found a little gap in the brake booster vacuum line - plugged it up tight and I think I'm good to go. All I have to do now is find where that vacuum canister line starts and trace it back. Wish me luck.

 

The vacuum line to the "orb of power" eventually ends up at the pass. side rear of the engine. It's got a vacuum connection with a one way valve and a T shortly behind it, near the main wiring harness. The vacuum canister is a vacuum reservoir for the HVAC selector system (and maybe for the cruise control as well, I think) so that you don't start blowing air out of the defrost vents the instant you go to wide open throttle and manifold vacuum drops to near-zero (defrost vents are the default air path of the HVAC system if there is no vacuum present at the HVAC selector switch in the dash).

 

Ok, so where is it normally mounted? I can't find where it's supposed to go at all...