My car: 2014 Lexus RX350.

I looked under the hood and noticed a clip that connects a hose to the intake boot was loose.

This is a hose that connects to the intake boot just before the throttle body.

The hose clamp is easily movable by hand and I am able to pull back the hose, although not completely off the joint.

Logic tells me this hose is not supposed to be loose.



Red circle is hose clamp partially hidden from view. Green circle is where the hose connects to on the intake boot.

I think this hose is the crankcase breather hose???

Kind of scary, all this time false air could have gone into the engine!!

What gives? I'm using a ziptie to secure it because the clamp is non-adjustable and useless because even when it's on the union joint it doesn't hold it down well.

 

A clearer and closer shot should help us look at the concern...

For sure you need to tighten the clamp screw-bolt. You are not supposed to be able to just pull the hose and it gives.

 

All clamps are removable. There are many different styles of clamps used in the automotive industry. Some rely upon worm-drive screws, some rely upon spring-loaded pressure, and some rely upon various combinations. You need to figure out how that particular clamp functions and you may need a special clamp tool in order to remove it.

 

Sorry I didn't get a good picture of the clamp. The clamp itself is engulfed from view by a foam hose (that covers the actual hose I am talking about).

In any case, what is that hose? Or rather what does that joint circled in green supposed to be? Is that where the breather hose for the crankcase is supposed to connect to?

 

That hose is part of crankcase vent system. It attaches to the valve cover on the back bank towards the passenger side. If that clamp is too loose, your fuel trims at idle might be a bit high positive. If you have access to a scanner with live data you can check. Those spring clamps can loosen with age. I'd just replace it with a worm gear hose clamp. I had to do that with my pcv hose when I changed the pcv valve, found itwas ridiculously loose as well, but that was at 115k miles. I live in the high desert so stuff wears out here alot faster.