What the heck is that duct?

[4MUL8R]

While wiping some dirt off various top surfaces in the engine compartment, I noted that a duct was cracked. It is a small duct, with some accordion folds in it. It runs from the radiator area to a medium sized black box behind the windshield washer reservoir cap. The black box appears to have another duct running to it from underneath. The piece with the accordion folds in it has cracked at the accordion folds. Is this duct essential? Do I need to rush to the dealer on Monday to get it before I go 500 miles on the interstate on Tuesday?

[ecbsykes]

That's the cooling duct for the car's computer (ECU). Mine was cracked and falling apart in that accordion part just as you described. A little duct tape solved that.

I wouldn't call it super essential, but as long as it isn't blocked, there shouldn't any problem. You can get them online for about 9 dollars. I'll probably get to replacing mine soon, but the tape wrapped around works just fine.

http://www.eeuroparts.com/Main/PartDetail.aspx?id=8619305