HELP! Engine not idling

[facelessl]

I think I have knocked something of the air intake when checking the panel filter in the box. are there any cables or hose/pipes that i need to look for that connect onto or near to the rubber boot? The engine starts fine, then doesnt idle properly, really low tick over and stops after 20/30secs.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I have a 1998 E36 316i compact.
Please any help welcome.

[Avec]

You either knocked loose a vacuum line or disconnected your MAF. There is a large vacuum hose that connects to the bottom of the elbow just before the throttle body. Check both ends of that.

[facelessl]

Thank you!!!
couldnt work out from the diagrams, now i have a place to look :)

[ChuckDizzle]

Have you looked for any vacuum leaks?

[facelessl]

i haven't but it was working fine before i started looking into the filter box. So i'm pretty sure I've disconnected something. I can't look at it until Saturday unfortunately, but I think Avec has nailed it (i hope), when lifting off the panel filter i was pulling the whole elbow up and over slightly, ignorant to the fact that things are connected to it :( i will learn from my mistakes. Thanks for your reply.

[facelessl]

It was the hose, completely disconnected.
So the engine works again now, but i did notice that the hose has a tear in it and really needs to be replaced, but whats the other end connected to? i can see it going under the engine but cant see the connection

[Avec]

It bends up and connects right below and behind the throttle body. Being a vacuum hose (not under pressure) you can use sealant or duct tape to keep it closed. To access the other hose end easier, you can remove the throttle body and move it aside without disconnecting anything attached to it

[facelessl]

ahhh ok, is that also the most probable explanation for having a small loss of power at low revs?

[Avec]

A vacuum leak will cause the idle to be rough. On e the revs come up of is no longer under much vacuum, so it smooths out. Also, vacuumeaks will usually make thr engine hunt for RPM. It will surge and drop as it tries to regulate itself. If it is more of a rough but constant idle, then fuel or spark related - usually.

[facelessl]

its not so much idle but when accelerating there's a small power loss usually around 2k-3k.