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How Vacuum Leaks Affect Performance
by
Mike Florence & Rob Blumer
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- Vacuum leaks allow extra air into the engine
- Listen for a hissing sound to find a leak
- Replace damaged vacuum tubing
All of today’s cars use a computer to control the air/fuel ratio that gets into the engine. A vacuum leak anywhere in the engine allows for extra air in the engine. The computer is being forced to make adjustments. If the leak is large enough, it will affect the way the engine runs. You may not notice it on the highway, but when idling, the engine will run rough.
It is possible that a vacuum leak is bad enough that the computer summons more fuel to compensate. Black smoke indicates that too much fuel was entering the cylinders. A vacuum leak can create this situation, too. The leak is confusing the computer; more air in the system to the computer means more fuel is needed.
Locating a Vacuum Leak
First, let it be said that with some cars even the vacuum hoses themselves are hard to find. If that is the case with your car, the best you can do is identify the symptoms and relay that information to your mechanic. But on some cars vacuum hoses are easy to find, and with a service manual—if you want to go that far—you can find them on every car.
To locate a vacuum leak, the engine must be running, with the hood and your ears open. When the engine is operating, it is creating vacuum. You are listening for a sucking sound; to some ears it may sound like a hiss. An enormous amount of air is being drawn into a very small area. You should be able to hear it.
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