All combustion engines generate vacuum pressure that is routed through the engine to various components to power them. This is just one way of your automobile recycling something so it can use it for something else. An example of a component that the vacuum pressure power is your vehicle’s power steering pump. We advise that if you have a vacuum leak, your power steering may be affected. This is just one thing that might happen. Here are some other problems that are caused by an engine vacuum leak.
Check Engine Warning Light
The vacuum pressure leaks out of the engine’s vacuum hoses. You have a series of vacuum hoses that go through the engine to the various components that need vacuum pressure. Once one of the hoses springs a leak, the vacuum pressure spurts out of it and adds air into the engine that isn’t needed. This will cause your vehicle’s main computer to turn on the check engine light on the dashboard. This is to let you know that there is something wrong in the engine.
Sluggish Acceleration and Engine Performance
In addition to the check engine warning, you will notice that your vehicle’s acceleration and overall engine performance have become sluggish. Again, this is because there is unnecessary air in the engine due to the vacuum leak. You will feel your engine stutter when you press down on the accelerator and at high speeds. The air is replacing some of the fuel that is needed to keep your engine running smoothly. You will also end up with a rough idle.
High and/or Sporadic RPMs
You will be able to see your vacuum leak on your tachometer. As the vacuum pressure comes out of the leaking vacuum hose in spurts, your engine’s RPMs rise. Consequently, if the vacuum leak is steady, you will have consistently high RPMs while you are driving and sitting at an idle. If the vacuum leak is coming out in spurts, your tachometer needle will dance up and down as the RPMs increase with each influx of excess air.
Suction Noises or Hissing Sounds
Finally, if you listen carefully, you will likely be able to hear your engine vacuum leak. Severe leaks tend to make suction noises that sound an awful lot like a vacuum cleaner hose. Minor leaks tend to make hissing or light squealing sounds.
Call our auto repair experts today if you think your engine has a vacuum leak. We will inspect the engine thoroughly, locate the leak, and fix it.
