what part is this (intake mani to carbon canister)

[skuyler]

I believe this part is notorious for leaking and causing a bad idle. It is an elbow shaped hose that goes from the "purge valve" (above the charcoal canister) to the intake manifold. I can't find the part number, and pelican & bavauto aren't helping much either.

It has the numbers "1717211" on one side, and "101255 2-2" on the other

The Chilton's manual talks about it briefly, saying "On vehicles equipped with the M20 engine, the molded hose that connects the purge valve to the intake manifold can crack and cause a rough idle. Check the small end of the hose where it is connected to the intake manifold for damage caused by the clamp and replace if necessary"

Pics:

[skuyler]

just skipped it and put some extra fuel line i had in instead. working now

[AdamF 88iS]

You can substitute regular hose until you get a real one.

[AlpineIS]

just skipped it and put some extra fuel line i had in instead. working now

You did the right thing. Although it technically is a vacuum hose, bmw claims it is a fuel hose. I guess it is described as such because it comes out of the canister, which is fuel related. I just ordered a replacement not knowing any better from a dealer and guess what I got? Fuel hose. I ordered it using the original part number, too (13 31 1 288 284). Yup...they will not sell you that special looking "fuel hose."

Mine is leaking so bad you can hear it hissing. By the way, the hose connects to the bottom of the throttle body not to the intake. Fuel vapors are released from the canister and then reburned.