[Montygirly]

Ok I found a 3rd hose attached to nothing on my 2000 Dakota 5.9L V8 4wh Dr. You see it from under the front of the truck attached to I don't even know what but it's an near the driver's side front tire assemble see attached photos please!

 

[immattj]

Knowing now that your Dak is 4wd & going from previous answers (by OldMarine & others) to questions along those lines, I think that the 2cond pic shows the breather/vent hose from your front differential.

 

[Montygirly]

Knowing now that your Dak is 4wd & going from previous answers (by OldMarine & others) to questions along those lines, I think that the 2cond pic shows the breather/vent hose from your front differential.

Ok is there supposed to be an area where I should put it?
Thanks!

 

[immattj]

Ok is there supposed to be an area where I should put it?
Thanks!

I don't know--mine is 2wd.
I did a quick search and found this on another Dakota forum

front diff - Dodge Dakota Forum

Dodge Dakota Forum for Dodge Dakota trucks with an interactive site including Dodge Dakota Forums, Pictures, Links, Message Boards, and Chat Forum

www.dodgedakota.net

and this kind of gives me the impression that it should just go up as high as possible & clip to something immoveable and vent to atmosphere. Apparently there may be some options to put some type of filter or resevoir over the end of the line, but I am kind of sort of getting the impression that it is usually just open to atmosphere. I am not sure about that, however.

 

[immattj]

. . . this got me curious, so I took a look under my GMC (which is 4wd) & followed the vent line up, & it clips to the plastic fenderwall liner up about a foot or so above the frame rail. It is actually NOT wide open toatmosphere--it has a small cylindrical shaped capsule on the end of it which I am kind of assuming is sort of a 1-way check valve designed to vent pressure but not allow contamiants in (the rear diff has the same thing). That may be a GM thing, but you could check with your Dodge dealer parts department on that. And I would think you could secure that vent line almost just about anywhere that was high enough (excluding moving parts like your hood).

 

[devildog80]

Correct, that is the front differential vent hose, and is good where it comes up inside the engine compartment, with the white "capsule" in the end of it.

Where it goes is to a fitting on top of the differential or axle tube, to equalize pressure from within that drive system, so you do not blow seals and get water/contaminants into the case.

Look up a parts view of the front differential for your year/make/model truck, and it will show you the nipple it should be attached to on the case.

Also, get down under your truck, and look around on the top of the case or axle tube near where the tube will extend close to the axle/case, and you should easily find where it should be attached.

Might need a mirror, or a wand type inspection camera, to see into those tight spaces.

Possible there might be part of that nipple broke off and still in the bottom end of the tubing, if it has been damaged, and you may need to replace that piece on the differential case/axle tube itself.

It could be plastic, maybe metal, could be just pressed in, or could be threaded.

If threaded, you might take the broken piece out of the case, go to any local hardware store, to find a threaded barb fitting to put back in that vent hole.

IF....it is threaded, probably cheaper than OEM repair part.

Good luck!