help! Hole in Air assbly 1993 G20 Infiniti

[woods777]

I have a 1993 Infiniti G20 that my sons and I have been driving for about 6 years. All that time, there's been a hole (looks broken, not cut) about the size of a quarter in the side of the black plastic box that holds the air filter. There's also a loose,
kinda z-shaped hose that is near the hole, but doesn't quite reach it. The other end of the z-shaped hose attaches to a little box in front of the engine. (Sorry-- I'm a mom, not a mechanic!) Anyway, I've always assumed the hose was supposed to attach to the air assembly box, but since the car ran okay, I've just left well enough alone. I am curious now, though, what I should really do. Should I cover up the hole? Should I try to find some way to attach the hose? I've looked at pictures of 1993 engines, but never seen one with this setup. I've been told I should at least close the hole.

I want to keep driving the car, and want to maximize the gas mileage, but don't want to put excess expenses into it. I would appreciate any advice!

[Pulsar-nx-kid]

Ok so im not 100% sure but im pretty confident that the little black box is part of a air recirculation system that draws air from your airbox and cools down the exhaust.Im pretty sure that it would improve your fuel economy. Most junk yards would charge like 10 or 20 bucks for a used air box,you would need one out of another G20 from 1991-1996 and i think the g20's from 1999-2002 have the same setup get one of the kids to do the dirty work!lol Or you could just leave it alone its not really affecting much at all! I hope these words will help you.

[06_blkout]

Could you post a picture of it?