Connector for exhaust gas recirculation tube

A connector for attaching the end of an EGR tube to a flange surrounding an opening in the wall of an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• a thermal isolator having a cylindrical body and support means in contact with the tube for locating the body spaced from the tube near said end thereof;
• a bead formed on the body intermediate the ends thereof, extending radially therefrom, the tube and thermal isolator being insertable into the flange such that the tube is in fluid communication with said opening, and the bead, flange and intake manifold wall define a seal cavity;
• seal means disposed in the seal cavity for sealing the flange and thermal isolator against fluid leakage, the seal cavity being sized so as not to compress the seal means between the bead and intake manifold wall;
• and
• a retainer insertable into the flange and having latching means for engaging the flange to prevent removal of the retainer from the flange, the retainer having means for engaging the bead to prevent removal of the thermal isolator from the flange.