How do I know if I have a vacuum leak?
- Abnormally High RPMs
The vacuum will flow out of the leaking hose oftentimes in spurts. This will cause your engine to rev higher. If you keep an eye on your tachometer and see that the needle is much higher than normal, it’s likely your automobile has a vacuum leak. The tachometer’s needle may also go up and down and up and down because, again, the vacuum that is leaking out of the hose is coming out of it in spurts.
- Hissing or Sucking Sounds
You can usually hear an engine vacuum leak. Smaller leaks tend to make hissing sounds while larger leaks tend to sound like the suction that comes from a household vacuum hose. You may be able to see which vacuum hose is leaking by listening carefully for either the hissing or sucking sounds. If you can’t find the leak, don’t worry. We can.
- Acceleration Loss
Because there is excess air in the engine, your vehicle’s acceleration will suffer. You may notice that the acceleration lags when you press down on the accelerator to start from a stop or to pick up speed. This can be frustrating, especially if you need to get going. When the engine has too much air in it, the amount of fuel in the engine is reduced and your acceleration performance suffers.
- Engine Performance Loss
The same is true for your engine performance. Even if you aren’t experiencing any acceleration lag, you may find that your engine begins to stutter the faster you go. In severe cases, your engine may even stall even though it is idling higher than normal. This strongly suggests that the engine is fuel-starved and this condition can be caused by a vacuum leak.
- Warning Light
Finally, if your check engine light comes on, you may have a vacuum leak. Usually, you will experience some of the other signs of a vacuum leak listed above in addition to the check engine light warning.
What is the common cause of vacuum leak?
Vacuum leaks in engines often result from the following factors –
Wear or deterioration of hoses: Vacuum hoses deteriorate with time to become brittle, cracked, and sometimes disconnected, thereby resulting in vacuum leaks.
Loose or damaged clamps: Clamps that hold vacuum hoses allow air into the system when loose or damaged.
Breather hose problems: Breather hoses are responsible for regulating engine crankcase pressure, but if clogged or damaged, it results in vacuum leaks.
Intake manifold gaskets: Worn-out or damaged intake manifold gaskets are one of the ways in which passes may be created for air around the throttle body and sensors.
EGR valve problems: A faulty or stuck-open EGR valve breaks up the engine’s vacuum system and leaks past the passages.
Sensor vacuum lines: Those with broken or disconnected sensor vacuum lines will create interference with the flow of air-fuel mixtures in the engine as they restrict its ability to maintain vacuum levels.
How to repair a vacuum leak?
The vacuum leak is usually repaired by identifying the source and replacing or fixing it. This can include;
- Deteriorated hoses or clamps
- Cleaning or replacing the breather hose
- Intake manifold gasket replacement
- Fixing or replacing the EGR valve
Reattachment or replacement of sensor vacuum lines, It is advisable to seek a diagnosis and proper repair from an expert mechanic, so the vacuum system is fully back into its optimal working condition.
Why Choose Er Autocare?
ER Auto Care has the best auto shop in Plain City, OH, and the best auto shop in Columbus, OH. Call us today to set up an appointment for an engine inspection. If you have a vacuum leak, we will find it.
