What is the name of this part?

 

SAI valve.

(I think)

 

Correct

 

There is 2 of them, one on each header? right?

 

Yes. Part of secondary air injection system.

Vacuum tubes going to them

Operated by the SAI switch on drivers side.

You can take them off and suck on the tubes to see if they hold vacuum. Careful they (mine) are full of sooty stuff.

 

They are both missing screws or studs and nuts. Both loose and flopping around.

 

Is this a way to test them for real? Which part do you suck on?(that's what she said...)

 

Well, I have no idea if it's the official test!

I realised that one direction you can suck through, and the other you can't. I think there is only two vac hose connections. Although can't remember for sure without looking.

Now, assuming it's simply a valve to control the 'flow' of vacuum, I guessed if it holds a vacuum in one direction it's doing its job. Like a tap.

I then looked further down the line at my problem, and found that the sai switch wasn't sending the valves instructions. So I saved a packet on swapping sai valves, when they only needed the Cappedup™ suck test.

(All of the above could be nonsense, spouted on the Internet as semi-truth.)

 

I think we need a write up with video

 

Ok, I managed to find some bolts and nuts and I secured both SAI valves. They don't move at all anymore. It made a hell of difference in the way my motor was sounding. Sounds much better now under acceleration.

However, my Service Engine Soon light came on after about 10 miles of driving. I had it scanned and it is P0441, "Evaporative Emission System Incorrect Purge Flow". Now I just replaced the Purge Valve less than 200 miles ago. I also replaced the Fuel cap. Could the SAI valves being tightened down have possible thrown this code? There is no way the new Purge Valve is bad already.

Could this just be a situation where the Code was thrown due to "new" flow b/c of secured SAI valves and when I have the code reset, it will just stay away now?