Shifted wrote: ↑Wed Aug 26, 2020 10:59 am
My recirculation flap actuator is leaking very badly. Or, more likely, the vaccum hose isn't connected to it. It holds zero vacuum. I've traced the vacuum line all the way to the hole under the blower fan and the line is intact and the line itself holds vacuum fine.
So, the flexible silicon line from the firewall plenum that disappears into the recirc box does not hold vacuum?
But, the blue plastic line that connects to the silicon line and disappears into the dash does hold vacuum?
Shifted wrote: ↑Wed Aug 26, 2020 10:59 am
From what I've been able to determine, the entire recirculation box has to be removed from the dash in order to access the actuator.
Correct. If the answer to the first question us yes, then the only way to remedy is to remove the recirc box. You cannot get to the actuator or the silicon hose connection with the box installed. You *may* be able to access the actuator and connection by partially withdrawing the recirc box into the passenger compartment. But, I don't see utility in that because it's not too much more effort to get the box out completely so as to do a good job of cleaning and replacing the strip caulk used to seal the box to the metal surround. (You will hate yourself if after re-installation you do a water test and see water dripping onto the CE panel.)
Shifted wrote: ↑Wed Aug 26, 2020 10:59 am
But, I've never had the blower motor off before. With the blower removed, is the actuator diaphragm accessible enough to verify the vacuum host connection and reconnect it if it's disconnected?
No. Box as to come out at least partially.
IIRC, Sean removes the blower and box as a single unit by dropping it into the passenger compartment. I tried that once and it didn't work exactly that way for me.
I usually remove the blower from above and then the recirc box from below. This makes WYIT stuff easier. Specifically, removing debris from the evaporator, recirc box, drains, and plenum around the area. And cleaning of those areas.
If you want to try Sean's method I'll let him expound on it.
If you want to remove from above or if Sean's method doesn't work for you then post back.
Hanlon’s Razor: Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.
Heinlein’s Corollary: Never underestimate the power of human stupidity.
The Reddit Conjecture: Sufficiently advanced stupidity is indistinguishable from malice.
Worf’s Razor: Never attribute to stupidity that which is adequately explained by laziness.
Worf’s Identity: Sufficiently advanced laziness is indistinguishable from stupidity
Worf's Law: Once you've mitigated risk from stupidity and laziness in your endeavors, failure is usually the result of insufficient imagination.
My 928 Inspection Guide