On my 2000 Sportage there are 2 weird black plastic "tanks" or air containers. Can someone explain their purpose, why they are there, and if they can be removed?

1. on the top rear of the engine, attached via a large, short hose to the intake tube just prior to the throttle body, directly across from the IAC valve. Its a funny shaped thing back against the firewall.

2. open the hood, and right on the top center above the radiator is the long skinny air intake channel that goes to the air cleaner box. But before it gets there, another large hose breaks off from the channel and attaches to another "tank" kind of down low and to the right.

What the hell are these tanks for?

Thanks!

They are to tune and quiet the air intake to the engine.

Yip, that's it. It can be removed, but you will not experience a boost in power <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

resonators.

Reduces air intake noise.

Like you can hear it over the tribe of Hawaiian bongo players drumming on the rag top. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />