Your car, truck, or utility vehicle harnesses the vacuum pressure created in the combustion chamber to use it as a power source. The vacuum pressure is routed throughout the engine using vacuum hoses. These hoses are quite durable, but this does not mean that they cannot spring leaks. They can, and if they do, you will have one or more of the following problems.
Performance Problems
Your vehicle’s engine performance is going to suffer if there is a vacuum leak. The reason why is that the engine fills with air and this inhibits combustion in the combustion chamber. Consequently, you may start to have difficulties getting your vehicle to pick up speed when you want to accelerate. In addition, the automobile may act as if it has hiccups.
Reduced Fuel Economy
Even though the engine is performing poorly, it will consume more fuel. Consequently, the vacuum leak can reduce your fuel economy. The only way to restore the engine’s performance and fuel efficiency is to replace the leaking vacuum hose. This prevents the excess air from filling the engine.
Strange Hissing Noises
As you can imagine, a leaking vacuum hose is going to make noise. As such, if you hear strange hissing noises coming from your engine, it’s possible that you have a vacuum leak. Severe vacuum leaks are often louder and sound like the accessory hose on the vacuum cleaner you use in your home.
Component Failure
As we mentioned in the introduction to this blog post, your vehicle harnesses the power of the vacuum pressure. One such instance is the power steering pump. The pump uses vacuum pressure and the accessory belt in order to operate. If your vehicle’s components are failing, this could be the vacuum leak.
Erratic or High RPMs
Aside from hearing the vacuum leak, you may also be able to see it. As the vacuum pressure escapes from the hole in the hose, the excess air increases the engine’s RPMs. If the vacuum leak is steady, the RPMs will be continuously high. If the vacuum leak is coming out in spurts, the RPMs will go up and down.
Check Engine Warning
Finally, the engine control unit may decide to turn on the check engine light because of the problems we have discussed above. The unit cannot fix the vacuum leak itself, so it will warn you that there is a problem. In this case, it will illuminate the check engine light.
We are a full-service auto shop with certified and experienced technicians. Call us today to set up an appointment if you believe your vehicle has a vacuum leak.