General Maintenance & Repairs Leaks | Squeaks | Clunks | Rattles | Grinds
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Tips for finding vacuum leak

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 25, 2007 | 06:06 PM
  #1  
Formula413's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 910
Likes: 1
From: Western Mass
Default Tips for finding vacuum leak

Tried searching, guess how that went... Just wondering if anyone has any good tips on how to locate a small vacuum leak. This isn't for my Firebird, it's my DD Escort. I'm pretty sure it has a small vacuum leak somewhere, because A: It's knocking, and B: sometimes I lose HVAC controls when enough throttle is applied, which are vacuum operated. I have tried to listen for a leak but I doubt I would be able to hear it over the sound of the engine.
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2007 | 06:09 PM
  #2  
convexion's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
Default

Here, check this site out. Lots of different ideas there.

http://www.aa1car.com/library/vacleak.htm
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2007 | 10:32 PM
  #3  
GOaT Cheese's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 638
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Default

Originally Posted by Formula413
Tried searching, guess how that went... Just wondering if anyone has any good tips on how to locate a small vacuum leak. This isn't for my Firebird, it's my DD Escort. I'm pretty sure it has a small vacuum leak somewhere, because A: It's knocking, and B: sometimes I lose HVAC controls when enough throttle is applied, which are vacuum operated. I have tried to listen for a leak but I doubt I would be able to hear it over the sound of the engine.
Spray bottle of water, when you hit the leak you will know it.
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2007 | 11:33 PM
  #4  
krayzie7th's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth,TX
Default

use break cleaner or something of that sort and spray it around, your idle should change when it goes by the leak.
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2007 | 12:21 AM
  #5  
GOaT Cheese's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 638
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Default

Originally Posted by krayzie7th
use break cleaner or something of that sort and spray it around, your idle should change when it goes by the leak.
Then when the engine catches on fire, he won't have to worry about the leak.
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2007 | 12:44 PM
  #6  
Mike44138's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 561
Likes: 1
From: Cleveland, OH
Default

LOL.... WD-40 works good for this too.
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2007 | 12:54 PM
  #7  
krayzie7th's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth,TX
Default

Originally Posted by GOaT Cheese
Then when the engine catches on fire, he won't have to worry about the leak.
i guess i need to stop doing that hahah.
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2007 | 02:07 PM
  #8  
dlove's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,449
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth
Default

Originally Posted by GOaT Cheese
Then when the engine catches on fire, he won't have to worry about the leak.


the auto-igniton point of brake clean is over 500 degress up to 1000.... plus there is no reason to spary brake clean anywhere near the headers.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 26, 2007 | 03:40 PM
  #9  
Formula413's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 910
Likes: 1
From: Western Mass
Default

Originally Posted by azxic


the auto-igniton point of brake clean is over 500 degress up to 1000.... plus there is no reason to spary brake clean anywhere near the headers.
LMFAO at your signature!!!

One of the tips I read on that site was to use propane to find the leak, that seems kinda dangerous too. It also said you need to unplug the idle air control motor or it will automatically correct the idle and you won't notice the change. Has anyone actually done it that way?
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2007 | 12:10 AM
  #10  
GOaT Cheese's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 638
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Default

Originally Posted by azxic


the auto-igniton point of brake clean is over 500 degress up to 1000.... plus there is no reason to spary brake clean anywhere near the headers.
Thanks for the chemistry lesson. Of corse we all know that there is never a stray spark from a coil or plug wire, or a loose starter cable that arcs from time to time. How about we just keep HIGHLY FLAMABLE vaporized chemicals away from running engines. I've been a G.M. tech for 15 years, and have personally flamed 3 customer vehicles using brake cleaner when I shouldn't have, one was a real nice white '93 vette. Yes...It took three times for me to learn my lesson. One time I simply set a can of brake cleaner on top of a battery, well, I knocked it over and the can managed to land across the two posts, talk about fireworks, it looked like one of the flaming Chinese pinwheels dancing around under the hood.
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2007 | 01:36 AM
  #11  
boondiggys's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (165)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 799
Likes: 0
From: NNJ
Default

Originally Posted by GOaT Cheese
and have personally flamed 3 customer vehicles using brake cleaner when I shouldn't have, One time I simply set a can of brake cleaner on top of a battery, talk about fireworks, it looked like one of the flaming Chinese pinwheels dancing around under the hood.
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2007 | 02:28 AM
  #12  
CoozePoodle's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Default

He isn't lieing either.....

Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:53 AM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-04 18:13:20


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE