TUBE question on 1989 240GL

I was cleaning up my air intake (changing filter and all). I noticed at the
bottom of the airbox a tube that goes from the airbox to the opposite side
of the engine into the exhaust. What is that tube doing. Isnt it bringing in
HOT air from the exhaust to the filter box? Can I remove it and plug up that
hole bye the header?

Thanks

 

Yes that's what it's for. That's important (some times) when the
temperature goes below freezing. There's a sensor and flap inside the
airbox that switches between that hot air source and cold air from in
front of the radiator. It's a good idea to check the function of that
sensor as it often fails. Some cars seem to have no problem without
that hose no matter how cold it gets, and if you live where is rarely
falls below freezing then you can leave it off too. Make sure that the
flap inside the airbox can't switch to the position to block off the
other input if you disconnect the hose and plug that hole.

--
Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

NOTE: new address!!
Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)