The Nissan Path

There is a cylindrical canister attached to the side of my air filter box with two vacuum hoses that attach to the top. What the hell is this thing and what does it do? Mine is broken where the hose attachments are, so I just coupled the two hoses. Is this a bad thing? I can't find answers anywhere.

A picture would be helpful... or, at the very least, the year for your Pathfinder...

I tried to insert a pic but couldn't and I don't have an account with a publicly accessible photo website, but my Pathfinder is a 2001.

You'll need an account with a service like Photobucket. Here's a link to a vacuum part diagram; do you see it here?:

http://www.nissanpartsdeal.com/parts-li ... m=223_B003

No, I didn't see it there. I've searched everywhere I can think of on the internet to find out what this part is, but can't find any info. It's the only cylindrical vacuum device attached, vertically, to the back left side of the airbox, between the airbox and the engine. It is black with two vacuum lines attaching to hose barbs on the top. Very rough dimensions are around 2.5" in diameter and about 5" tall.

I think I may have found it. Check out part code "22370P" referred to as "tank assembly-vacuum." It's part number is 22370-4W000:

http://www.nissanpartsdeal.com/parts-li ... m=165_E003

Holy crap, that's it!!! You have no idea how much time I've put into trying to find out what that is. Many thanks, my friend. You are the man!!

Glad to help!