I was working on my 99 V8 explorer, 2WD, Limited, today and broke a plastic line that I have no idea what it is. I have attached pictures to see if anybody can help. Thanks!

 

Welcome to the site..

Those are 'mini' vacuum tubes. They are very prone to breaking with age/heat. They can be easily repaired, and their colored coded so easily identified.

The one that broke looks like the vacuum supply tap on the intake manifold.

An easy way to fix them is to go to your local auto parts store like NAPA (not so much the lower end suppliers) and they have 'small' vacuum slip/barb fittings assortments or sell them by the package.

The thicker connection/connectors with the pieces broken almost flush,, can be squeezed with pliers to shatter the broken piece (try and pull them out first with needle nose pliers, but most times their stuck to the rubber) and then remove all the small pieces.

Find a straight barb fitting of about the same diameter and lenght (or as close as possible). Repeat on the other end. Then, they have small vacuum hose for windshield spray hose ect. and cut a piece same lenght or slightly longer. Slip it onto the barb end that now sticks out of the rubber connectors. Make the connections on each end.

When doing these mini line repairs, make sure you make note of the line color and the corresponding connection..

If you encounter a line that breaks off and leaves some plastic exposed, and/or can be cut back to get to more flexable section of line, you can just use the rubber vacuum line to replace the broken lenght of plastic slipping it over the damaged ends. Using a light spray lube will help to get the rubber hose over the plastic a good amount..

 

Thank you very much for your help, if I tried to drive with these lines off, both sides broken (black and white), what would my problems be?