How To Find A Vacuum Leak - EricTheCarGuy

Vacuum leaks are one of the biggest causes of engine performance problems. This video is pretty straight forward in it's approach to finding a vacuum leak. On thing I might mention is that not all vacuum leaks are at the engine. Some HVAC systems run on engine vacuum and can cause a leak under the dash in some cases. I've even seen vacuum operated door locks. Just be sure to be careful spraying flammable stuff on a hot engine, you don't want to take one problem and make it a whole lot worse. You can also use a spray bottle with water to do this same test. It may not be as effective, but you don't have to worry about spraying a flammable substance on a hot engine.
For more information on diagnosing engine performance issues, check out this article I wrote.
www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solv...
The best place for answers to your automotive questions: www.ericthecarguy.com
Facebook: EricTheCarGu...
Twitter: / ericthecarguy
Google+: plus.google.com/1001951801966...
Information on Premium Membership: www.ericthecarguy.com/premium...
Stay Dirty
ETCG
Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EricTheCarGuy.

[@88KeysIdaho]

This is the first video about finding a vacuum, where THEY ACTUALLY FOUND A VACUUM LEAK! Very helpful to hear the engine difference, not just hear to squirt stuff all over, with no effect on the car's idle. Thanks !!

[@T1GEVERETT]

11 years later and this video is still helping people. I have a vacuum leak in my car that I cant find by ear so this helps tremendously

[@daddyosink4413]

Right? I've been chasing an issue in my 96 silverado for weeks now, needed to come back and figure out what I was not doing.

[@shotguncamaro1214]

Eric, being a car guy and drag racer for over 50 years. One of the safer ways is to use a spray bottle with water. Instead of the engine speeding up when you find a leak, it will slow down, (and NOT catch on fire if it backfires) which they can do.

[@matexf4c]

Exactly what I was thinking of doing glad I saw this!!!!

[@mikeypotts4732]

Thanks for sharing!

[@richardrussell4065]

Will be trying this

[@richardw6592]

To his credit, he abundantly overstated the potential for fire 🔥

[@mikekmalick]

I would rather listen to a guy who has Drag raced for 50+ years and says to use something that is safe! Water what a concept! Duh.

[@stephenhudson7488]

I just saw your post on 11/17/2018. Here is an OLD SCHOOL check for you. I saw many variations before computers were used in cars. We would put a piece of cardboard over the fan (they were all belt and pulley then) to limit the fan blowing air back on the engine. Then we would take a couple of long straws and tape them together. Then we would light a cigar (smart people did this away form flammable liquids and washed their hands first to get chemicals off). We would hold a puff from the cigar, and using a flashlight, we would blow a little smoke around gently and look to see if it got sucked in somewhere. I actually saw a rig that used a smoker from bee keeping used that way . It had a little hose coming off of it and the guy had a piece of coat hanger wire taped to the hose. You need to know we had vacuum manifolds in those days, engine vacuum advanced the distributor timing for the engine, and where there are wiring harnesses and sensors today, we had vacuum lines run every damned place. In the 70's and 80's we had both, and was that ever a pain. Some of the hoses looked like wires and were made of brittle plastic. Some of the wires looked like hoses, and sometimes the wires and the hoses were run together as a bundle under wire wraps or friction tape. Yes, I have a therapist.

[@private1712]

So basically block the fan use a vape to avoid risk of spark and flames and blow a cloud

[@Crt5]

@@private1712great idea

[@user-lr2py1gq8z]

Nice detailed explanation. I can totally get a visual of what you are explaining. Thanks for the tips old timer!!

[@ericthecarguy]

@tec68421 Interesting I've never heard of that. You can also use soapy water and pressurize the intake or use smoke to help you find leaks like this. Thanks for your comment.

[@douglasmaclean5836]

Eric the madman I love it I'm battling a Volvo.... I can hardly wait for her to freak out when the whole thing goes up in flames and she gets to finally get a new non-premium burning econobox.... And I keep this awesome Volvo all to myself... You are a great American 👍🍁🥞🪓🇨🇦😎

[@ericthecarguy]

@SporadicPoetry The first step with performance issues is always to check for codes first, if you don't have any check your tune up parts but as you suggest it's also a good idea to check for vacuum leaks.

[@preciousbanda7212]

Hi

[@evanwilson9925]

This is so amazing! I've been a shade tree mechanic since I was a kid. I basically just learn everything as I go. In fact, I'd even so far as estimate the 30-% +/- of the money I spend on every project is on oopsies and lesson learn. But for vacuum leaks I've always had to pay someone to smoke test it for me. Using your method I just found it in 5 minutes!

[@timerickson2141]

Back in the day I was a fleet mechanic for a large logging COMPANY. Students from a well known trade school 6,week prior to completing the program they would spend a week in a actual shop with mechanics. I would get like 6 at a time. Anyway I was checking for a vacuum leak in a crew bus (Dodge van) I use water in a spray bottle. Spray the area you can see the water get sucked in at the leak the engine idle will also stumble when the leak is found . The students asked me why I didn't use carb cleaner . I explained the thing about fire but also as a kid my cousin was a firefighter told a story about a mechanic checking for a vacuum leak where somehow the can of carb cleaner exploded in the mechanics hand. He lost fingers from his burns. Their teacher taught them to use carb cleaner. Anyhow a couple years later one of those students came to visit me. He wore those gloves that burn Victims wear and a hood over his face. He told me when the can exploded in his hands he thought of our talk. I to used carb cleaner rarely. In the field if water wasn't available. But not since then. WATER IN A SPRAY BOTTLE. DOESN'T EXPLODE IT DOESN'T CAUSE FIRES ITS CHEAP AND SAFE

[@JaHm3sZ]

I have a Subaru. Can I use my vape? Serious question. Lolol

[@genesssisss]

Lol I use febreze

[@johnf.hebert1409]

what about soapy water?

[@TheSatan222]

Water into an engine... doesnt sound smart

[@deeeznutz27]

@@TheSatan222 truth

[@ericthecarguy]

@KABOOOOOOM1 Well first only spray a little at a time in the suspected area, don't soak an area down. They actually make a spray to help find leaks that's nonflammable, I think STP makes it, if you were planning on soaking something down that's the way I would go but honestly you don't need much to help you find a leak.

[@ericthecarguy]

@Gmcsierra2500hd You might consider doing a compression or leak down test to determine if there is a mechanical issue with the engine. Make sure you pull and repair any check engine light codes first however. Lastly don't rule out a transmission issue if you find your engine is working properly.

[@richard1835]

I was working on a Silverado about 3 years ago and I sprayed some brake cleaner to the rear of the intake manifold while the engine was running and accidentaly hit the exhaust system and poff it caught and I scrambled for the fire extinguisher. It was out in second and I had to repair part of the wiring harness. That was it. So if you think you know it all and nothing bad can happen to you while working on a vehicle you are mistaken. In every situation working on any vehicle we must use caution. Thank you Eric for the vaccuum leak video which is part of my engine diagnostics KZbin folder. I only save the best of the best videos and this one is one of my favorites. Thank you.

[@tanchelm]

Bad things can always happen when working on vehicle... My story is when I've replaced the brake rotors and pads, all nice and good, been satisfied of the job I've done, guess what? The last caliper guide pin bolt thread was stripped... Only today I've fixed after I ordered from ebay x2 brand new pins... Shit happens.

[@kylemc8851]

I have been having trouble with my 03 GMC Sonoma at time stalling and the worst time trying to figure out why, until I finally ran across this video, thank you, and thank you again!!

[@plantbasedprepper]

All my wife heard was I get lots of questions about performance issues LOL We got a good laugh because she had no idea what I was watching! ha ha ha

[@oiyabastard7275]

Raw Roy. shows where her heads at

[@_DixonCider]

My wife walked in from the other room to comment on his "performance issues." What a pervert.

[@motionless8513]

😂😂

[@siphilipe]

It's so simple for them. Wife or any female, she hands keys to a mechanic guy, straight to waiting room (of course iphone handy), when a job done, swipes a card and just leaves. By the way, most of them don't know how to open a hood.

[@swadeozzy6430]

That's why I don't do house work. She works in the house and I work on the house. She drives the car to the store and I work on it. She's never taken interest or the initiative to study how to fix things and I've never done the same with house work. I'm keeping my balls in my court.

[@bogartin4561ify]

This guy needs more subscribers and likes... he's the best at showing first hand and he's just an awesome mechanic thumbs up to eric

[@charlesmaclelland891]

You think this guy made it yet?

[@hasanjamshaid899]

He's absolutely the best

[@karlbuglione2444]

Hi Eric, just wanted to say thanks for all the posts. Although I have been working on my own vehicles for over 25 years, I always learn some new diagnostic approach or easier way of removing or installing a part. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge, its invaluable. Great vid and piece of info.

[@long33444]

F150 intank vacuum hose hookup 4.2

[@Peteyjames]

Great video! Note to anyone thinking about using WD40 to detect a vacuum leak... DON'T DO IT, it will leave a total mess on your engine and be a pain in the butt for future repairs.

[@WeAreUnity.]

I have been watching your videos for years, thank you very much Eric for your fun, thorough, and professional videos!!

[@Pigeoning]

10 years? This was the first vid I found of Eric's.

[@westwon6758]

LOL Bobby John. Thanks for the videos Eric. I love the clarity of the details in them. You are doing a great job for people like me with limited knowledge (weekend mechanics). I have learned a lot. Great channel too.

[@JackstandJohnny]

Very helpful. Thank you for clearly instructing us on what to look for and how to diagnose this. I'm having a serious rich condition and misfire after installing an aftermarket electronic boost control solenoid and state 2 flash on my WRX and I'm hoping that I can reset my ECU and find a change now that I've rei stalled the factory bcs and flashed to my previous stage 2 tune. This has helped a lot. Thank you again!

[@ericthecarguy]

@ObsessedWitGuitar EGR should not effect the idle unless it's stuck open, I would be looking for vacuum leaks before I looked to the EGR. You might consider posting this over at the ETCG forum for a more detailed answer.

[@doug960]

I'm diggin his Steve McQueen Bullit Mustang sound effect for the opening scene. Pretty distinct recording.

[@Kixtia013]

It’s been more than a decade of knowledge sharing. Thanks, Eric.

[@YeOldeTowneCryer]

Great tips here Eric. One thing that I have used with a bit of success is to put one end of the hose at my ear and then go around to possible areas of leakage with the other end of hose and listen for that high pitched noise. Using the spray is a great way to pin down the actual area as the sound can echo off other components. In future I will use the propane and get hose big enough to slip over the nozzle then neck it down to something smaller and more flexible. Great video, thanks.

[@r.d.ontheroad-1094]

Thanks, and great promo for the Fire Extinguisher! I almost lost my motor home the day I picked up, because I didn't have a big extinguisher with me, Rick

[@davidle7063]

Thanks Eric. You always help me. I keep learning from you.

[@Pjay318]

@EricTheCarGuy this entire month I've been trying to figure out my misfires; ive changed coil, sparks, even ignitor. everyone's been telling me to do a compression test and mechanics are trying to hella charge me a lot of money, this video helped me out ALOT you have no idea. Found the leak at the fuel injector at cylinder 1. THANK YOU for such detailed videos.

[@LewisJohnsonIII]

I like how he talks clear, concise, and not in a rush. Very detailed and the why of each step. Jolly good.

[@Neoandrew12]

You Sir are Epic! 2 issues solved from your vids now so I have subscribed! Many thanks!

[@jeffarnold1983]

Hey Eric, love your videos. Could you make a video of a vacuum test and what to look for? A few of us still use carburetors and vacuum is very important for carb tuning and ignition timing. It also can tell you other things such as damaged valves. I'd just like to see you do a video on it.

[@winstonbuzon]

I've tried this method on my swap right now just to see if I have leaks in my new swap! It really frickin' works! Thanks, Eric!

[@Kaibil66]

You always do an excellent job. I like your videos. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@akawireguy1197]

Another useful method is to take a pair of needle nose pliers and just go around and gently pinch off vacuum lines. If you hear a change in idle speed you know you just changed the fuel air ratio. I have found many vacuum leaks this way. This method works very well on older vehicles; I don't know if there would be any conflict on today's more sophisticated engines and systems.

[@Rtb323]

Where do u pinch the line exactly? at the very end where the boot is ? Thanks.

[@loganmilam4065]

10 years old and still helping people out, guess it's time to fix my old 3800 shes starting to run like garbage. Thanks for the awesome video and video's you're still making man

[@dchurch2012]

Another excellent video! I need to perform this test and I am glad I watched (good point on avoiding FIRE!)

[@iamburl2667]

Eric, alot of respect to you, your style teaching and extreme knowledge I say THANK YOU SIR FOR FILMING THESE VIDEOS

[@ForumWiedzy]

what's the part that was leaking? Fuel Pressure Regulator? - Needs to be replaced and he just hisses? Please answer?

[@joeydrumstix]

The intake manifold gasket was the issue in this video

[@tomchillen3039]

Are you literate

[@bigbitch420]

@@tomchillen3039 very helpful comment

[@thomaskriehn2869]

@@bigbitch420 9a

[@tomchillen3039]

@@bigbitch420 thank you

[@marvmiller1708]

Eric I hope you know how valuable you are to dyi guys like me. You are awesome!

[@carlgradolph9676]

Nice work, bro! It's rare to find a mechanic who not only understands an issue and knows how to fix (or at least detect) it, but also knows how to explain that issue, which you have done.... Looks like I need to go buy some carb cleaner (and a fire extinguisher!) for my 2000 F-150 that not only idles rough, but also emits a high-pitched whistling noise while the engine is running. Thanks much for making and posting this video, which has earned you one new subscriber.

[@tonyisgro6576]

Thanks Eric I changed my plugs and cleaned the throttle body - Both needed to be done anyway but they weren’t the problem - this was - really appreciate the help!!

[@bilazaurus2759]

Woah! You have a Reznor hardware. It's Trent Reznor's (NIN) dad stuff!

[@macstevens4547]

I got a 1999 ford windstar 3.8 &the heat is not blowing hot try everything it blow just not hot what do I need 2 do fix it got 4 kids & it cold need your help so I know what 2 do so we can have some heat I know it got 2 be something iam looking over because everything is new that I put on what do you think I need 2 do help if you think you know something I can do

[@DoctorD9111]

Nice! Glad to see someone that isn't afraid of taking a little risk to solve a problem. We used to use WD40, however I'm not sure it's still flammable. Keep up the good work Eric, and thanks for sharing.

[@ernestoponce6208]

awesome video. i was always told "check for vacuum leaks" but i was never really sure how to go about doing this. Thanks for the help

[@leethao9827]

LOL i was looking for you for a while but now i remember your name Eric the car guy. Subscribed!!

[@dablifenowife4223]

thank you bro, I was about to dump my cj7 motor cuz I thought it was shit, but nope just 4 vacume leaks,

[@stormnation6387]

Awesome information, thank you Eric

[@MrMeetone]

Thanks EtCG. Always helpful much appreciated

[@joshuaodom1883]

I brought my van into a shop once with a vacuum leak, and was told I had a blown head gasket...tip, shops are crooked, fix yourself at a 99% savings.

[@michaelblake9110]

+Joshua Odom Damn right bro

[@geekybench]

Honestly, I'm afraid of handing my car over to shops.

[@SangheiliSpecOp]

I have 6 thousand dollars worth of mods on my Mustang and I never once took it to a shop. I spent countless hours on my car but everything was done right, I didn’t have to pay anything for labor, and I know a great deal more about every inch of my car c:

[@WhiteSpookShow]

i got a pro charged street fox and will not take it any where for any thing unless I plan to stay with it

[@KeepoHdee]

When I got my mustang I got lazy and didnt want to figure out a wiring problem so I took it to a shop so they would find it I didnt have to deal with it they charged me 80 bucks to just check fuses and replace a part that wasnt broken then found out the switch (brake switch) wasnt getting any power so they told me come back tomorrow we'll finish it, so Im like ok and when I bring it the next day they wanted to charge me 80 bucks AGAIN to "find the problem" they are all scammers same when I wanted my power steering fixed different shops but still idiots kept replacing shit that wasnt broken NEVER AGAIN. That same day I told them fuck you went home and fixed the brake switch in like 15 min.

[@stanmcdonald-authorofuserr7172]

This guy is the best there is.

[@baldy194859]

Scotty Kilmer is good too !

[@nitekroller]

scotty kilmer is just annoying

[@johnsmithnonya46]

A backup to the C02, while it might short a lot of things until it dries off, a garden hose is a fair substitute. Just make sure the fuse box and positive terminal are fairly covered. Great video. Appreciate that demonstration

[@MrYosmitty]

you are the MAN!!! never heard of the propane thing. great idea.thanks

[@JustLacksZazz]

Very helpful, thank you! My car has had a high pitched whistle for a long time. Recently it has been running quite hot and starts to shift hard after running for a while. I'm hoping I'm just running lean and a fix of the vacuum leak will solve the issue. Taking it in Monday. Cheers!

[@17jackboi]

Did it fix that problem Ik it’s been a while could be hard to remember 😄

[@17jackboi]

Did it fix that problem Ik it’s been a while could be hard to remember 😄

[@JustLacksZazz350]

@@17jackboi that's a tough one 😅 it's very difficult to remember but I'm pretty sure it would up being another issue entirely. We wound up selling the car to a dealer in a trade shortly after the fix as it was not a good vehicle 😔 (responding from my other account)

[@cooljess76]

Hey Eric, I recommend using brake/parts cleaner instead of carb cleaner for a couple reasons. First and most importantly, brake cleaner doesn't dry and crack plastic and rubber parts as badly. And second, brake cleaner tends to evaporate quicker as it's not as oily as carb cleaner. I never really considered the risk of a fire, but will use caution from now on.

[@giiodude]

I’m actually about to test his method out, thanks for the tip. My engine is hiccuping and sluggish. I had 2 cracked intake tubes so I swapped them out for some aftermarket ones. It fixed the problem on top of a spark and boot change. I put some vp racing fuel additive and now my check engine light won’t go away. I going to check for leaks first to make sure that’s the issue and then most likely swap out my stock exhaust for a test pipe set up.

[@luxinterior3085]

They also have non-flammable brake cleaner as well.

[@rong6299]

Eric the Car Guy is really great, He explains things well.

[@welz2002]

Cheers Eric. Still going back to your old videos now 👍🏻

[@joeman543]

So why do you need a hose with the propane tank? I understand it makes it easier to direct the propane but is there any necessity to the hose?

[@michaelengle9062]

joeman543 you're correct, just to direct the propane where you want it and still keep the valve under control

[@brianschafer5188]

Bg2

[@heartlineeducation5913]

Thank you for this... Guy at shop said I can use wd-40 for this.... do you agree? thanks!

[@SupraSav]

Thanks Eric, great video as usual.

[@jesselovejoy6555]

I am a subscriber for life after this video,thank you for taking the time to teach us this awesome and easy technique

[@LSD97123]

Thank you very much Eric, I'm having a vacuum leak on my 87 Corolla, and I can't find where the leak is. this was very helpful

[@stevencooper4888]

"If you don't have a fire extinguisher, it's a bad day." XD You're a genius. I'm glad I found your videos.

[@0516tyjohn]

Every video you make is great....saved me more than once!

[@FCT8306onTwoWheels]

Great video EricTheCarGuy, I have a VW GTI 1.8t that has a hissing noise in the area of the intake near the diverter valve, I changed out a hose coming from the downpipe and coupled two autozone hoses together to connect to the diverter valve and since then have had boost issues and lack of torque. You will be the fifth mechanic buddy of mine to have explained to me how to use this method.

[@samjohnson466]

If you have a distributor be careful not to spray near it's base, they typically aren't sealed well. The carb cleaner mist will enter the cap and ignite, the cap will explode like a bomb. I exploded one on my Ford Ranger, I was wearing safety glasses and sustained no serious shrapnel injuries.

[@nicholas8479]

I noticed my distributor cap was missing a seal and had a gap, maybe 1/32 inch wide in some places, so I decided to order a new gasket before proceeding with this test. I was concerned about the very issue you described.

[@samjohnson466]

The vacuum advance slider was sticky. I'm not sure what the "dizzy" means. Obviously it was a mistake, no call to get all knowing about it.

[@samjohnson466]

@x4prilsF00Lx I wasn't following these instructions of the video, this was 30 years ago. You are a troll. Just a heads up you are what is wrong with comment section.

[@ptoughneigh854]

x4prilsF00Lx Why are you getting so worked up with the guy over an accident on his behalf? We learn by making mistakes, and I’m sure he learned from that mistake. You don’t need to practically call him a dumbass for doing it. don’t intentionally try to make people feel stupid, as that’s just not right.

[@charliedee9276]

@Cayde Is Clutch My dizzy has a vacuum line running to it...

[@omchunter6988]

EricTheCarGuy is my idol lol. Love the vids man!

[@andrewmurabito5013]

My bro, I think you have saved me a lot of money and enabled me to learn a highly useful skil all the while. Hope to buy you a beer someday and say thank you.

[@hameedwafaAFG]

thank you very much for the video,my question is when i hit the brake while driving or coming to stop sign my rpm goes up and then goes down,and in the morning time when i start my car my engine is making a noise that it looks like it is cleaning its throat hardly,i am also having problem on the gas fuel too,i filled it 20 litter and i drive 150 km after driving 150 km my gas is empty ,is it normal on gas of this car or what?,i looked at my car engine my pcv has liquid around it,by the way my car is 2004 chrysler sebring lx 2.7 , plz let me know what is going on? thank you again in advance :)

[@Peppermint1]

Thanks for the tip. Good to remember that carburetor cleaner can also ignite on a hot engine - so better on a cold engine, and it's also harmful to breath so spray away from you and not on a flat surface so it doesn't rebound back to you (some have powerful jets)

[@mrbranson73]

Yeah he said that

[@samsnead7]

Great video eric! Thanks for being professional and not using profanity.

[@jabbnguyen3768]

good job eric, keep up the good work

[@SomethingEternal]

Eric, I know this video is old so maybe you are no longer notified of comments. But I've recently discovered through other mechanics online an easy way to build a smoke machine for around $20 (I had to spend $50 due to PVC prices during COVID being sky high right now and a lack of other suitable containers.) But regardless, it was a very cheap and very simple investment for me to make. You may want to check those out and see if you'd be interested in trying a DIY smoke machine yourself to recommend it to your viewers or not. I watch a lot of mechanics online. But I initially broke the learning barrier by watching you, and to this day if I need to learn something, you're my first choice. If you don't have it, or it doesn't solve my needs, I'll look at a few others before doing a general search. But I feel this compliment is relevant in that, well, you don't have a video on a topic a lot of people probably have interest in: Are DIY smoke machines any good? My personal opinion: Yes. As good as something I'd spend $700 on for testing leaks in intake and exhaust. And a lot lighter and easier to lug around.

[@bobbyjohnnascar]

Man you gotta start selling Eric the car guy t-shirts!!!!!!!!!!!

[@null2846]

I would wear them if his logo wasn't so terrible. I love his videos and I get he's not a graphic designer but... the letters are all smushed together and its italicized, with a amateurish glow on it. Seriously, I'm pretty sure there's tons of fans who would be willing to redesign his logo for free.

[@jeffbanfieldsflwr3537]

Bobby John he did, I have one!

[@tgriffin6938]

His shirts said "Eric The Car Guy teaches you how to set your car on fire!"

[@davidwoog1838]

will spraying the rubber hoses with carb cleaner eat them away?

[@348frank348]

no. the residue evaporates

[@jamesringler987]

Yeah carb cleaner destroys rubber o rings in seconds

[@matthall9070]

I know just enough about mechanics to get myself in trouble. I watch these kinds of vids all the time and I gotta say that this guy is making good ones. Simple premise on this one but other's have taught me good

[@bking8162]

@Tony Scotty is the man! But he does talk to loud.. 😂

[@jaidank]

Thanks Eric, Great video! Hope to try this on my son's car which is showing these symptoms and throws 'lean' codes. Will check filter and state of MAF as well as long term fuel trim first. Cheers!

[@joshanator83]

Thanks you learned me something lol

[@newmanfertig886]

Dude, I want you to be my mechanic. Where are you. Seriously, thanks for all your videos. You be 'da man.

[@rosaliemarie4620]

Me too..where are you

[@newmanfertig886]

@@rosaliemarie4620 Raleigh, nc

[@rosaliemarie4620]

@@newmanfertig886 it's beautiful out there, haven't been back since Florence hit Jacksonville.. I'm in California

[@raulmartinez-sf2ii]

Thanks for your videos Eric. They help me alot.

[@richardharris6139]

Thanks dude! Big help and big money saved

[@laynelandon3701]

My wife has an 03 Mitsubishi Outlander with the 2.4, it has a rough choppy, loping idle that almost sounds similar to a big aftermarket cam, gets horrible gas mileage for a 4 cylinder. I have looked everywhere for a vacuum leak, I’ve even done the old smoke test and can’t find one. Changed spark plugs, wires, and coil packs, ran fuel system cleaner through several tanks and nothing seems to fix it. So I guess I’m just sort of stumped and tired of fooling with it lately, if anyone reads this and has more advice on what else to check it would be greatly appreciated.. ps it seems to run fine at highway speeds, just idles erratically.

[@Live4Ibanez]

Sounds like a vaccuum leak since at higher speeds, engine vaccuum drops much closer to atmospheric pressure, which would make it run very close to as before the problem started. Not familiar with that car at all but if that ignition job didn't solve it then you should investigate vacuum and the fuel system for sure. I'm surprised there aren't any codes being triggered by that?? (I'm no pro mechanic, just somebody who has read a shit ton of forums.) I'd steer you that direction (to forums). I'm sure somebody on a mitsubishi forum has mentioned a similar issue of a vacuum leak at least once. The trick is finding a forum post with closure. good luck with it.

[@TheAgonzalez94]

Could be gaskets on your intake manifold. Had similar issues with a 2000 nissan maxima, changed everything like you when in the end it was just gaskets.

[@GodsendGru]

Checked for the error codes? (if not get an OBD scanner ) Has it got a turbo? then Thoroughly check all the air intake rubber pipes... 1) Check all around INTERCOOLER PIPE TURBO / AIR HOSE 2) vacuum pipes 3) turo relates air intake pipes once mine had a small puncture in a small connector pipe that leads to turbo, could find only if you bend it & press it . so many mechanics failed to spot it! so s the case with intercooler hose of this 54 reg opel vectra

[@karmicmessenger]

I've always used this system to check for leaks and one time had a spark jump and the carb cleaner ignited. It is important to spray sparingly so even if it does ignite it won't burn long enough to cause damage. Fire extinguisher is not something you want to be looking for with a fire burning; keep it handy just in case.

[@johnsommojr8677]

Thanks Eric. I finally got a ODBC 2 reader and got a P0171 code. I will use your method shown here to try and find the vacuum leak.

[@markmartin1280]

I took my car to a shop and they couldn't find the leak, watched your video and in less than a min I found the leak myself!!! Thanks so much... Happy Happy Happy.....

[@ddd228]

Do NOT use an ABC fire extinguisher. It will make a terrible,horrible mess if you have to use it.Get a CO 2 one or Halon. You will thank me later. The propane method will still cause a fire. Stay away from the distributor,if you have one on your engine. Alternator,too. They both produce sparks. EGR is a common vacuum leak point.

[@RPMX4]

HALON???!! Never. In a confined space, it could kill you. Only CO2.

[@omegaseamaster1550]

RPMX4 Co2 will kill you as well if you use it Ina confined space silly boys. Halon is killer for the Nozone layer I mean earths ozone... Sorry, that's the Al Gore in me....or David Suzuki , yuck

[@Haddley333]

can you use wd 40 instead of that cleaner?

[@90210sky]

is still flammable

[@tannedmann0231]

thanks for all the great vids!!

[@jakemoody82]

Great video Eric! Btw, can I use starting fluid to find a vacuum leak?

[@bwcurley]

Can you use cigarette or cigar smoke and blow it into a vacuum line? Would this hurt anything?

[@HeroofSomething]

Did you try it? Would also like to know

[@collinharrison1987]

It won't hurt anything, but it is difficult because the spinning bits tend to make the area too windy unless your leak is severe.

[@EvilJ069]

I had a car that used to stall for seemingly no reason, but start right back up. Turns out that it's distributor had an internal coil and controller chip. When the $5 chip starts to die, you have to replace the entire distributor assembly... Irritating, AND expensive... $300+

[@davidlasher3665]

Thank you Eric the car guy!! Very informative.

[@vulture2600]

Great video! I had asked a friend how this was done and I didn't quite wrap my head around it until I saw it done. Makes total sense now!

[@nagyba]

Disconnect MAF sensor, block intake, - if it doesnt stall there is a leak! And you can hear the noise too... Safer, easier...

[@gamepro9505]

not all cars have a MAF sensor

[@nitekroller]

^^^^^ This! like my car i am working on at the moment

[@torkdork69]

B Nagy I came here to learn about leaks and thanks to your comment I think I have got what I was looking for.

[@johnlacy3611]

gamepro9505 map sensor or maf?

[@gokermitsewerside358]

So if u disconect maf sensor and block intake and car turns off there is no leak? Sorry for replying to an old ass coment just my 05 mustang has a rough idle and i was told i had an exhaust leak i tried what u said and my car turned off.

[@Leon-fo9mj]

"i get a lot of questions about performance issues" haha most guys do at some point.! 😱😆

[@10ring]

Can't thank you enough for all your videos.

[@nomebear]

I found a white plastic vacuum line that was disconnected after noticing the transmissions shifting hard, and the smell of rich gasoline when cold. Where it was supposed to be connected was hard to find, it was feeling under a manifold where I found a short rubber hose connection sticking out of the manifold. Amazing how much better they run when the vacuum leaks are fixed.

[@jdmcarboy64]

Vacuum leak will also cause a misfire for those who didn't know.

[@deasttn]

I have an Audi, so I know this to be true :-)

[@jarodmorris611]

I have a 1997 expedition and have a vacuum leak causing all kinds of codes to be thrown. Fuel bank 1 and fuel bank 2 are lean. Now, off to buy some cigars

[@ACommenterOnYouTube]

How ..??

[@eligiroir9770]

1:33 decent fire extinguisher: $60 Large box of baking soda: $10

[@tonehernandez5730]

Smart man.

[@johnwelk6675]

Have fun cleaning all the baking soda off your engine bay lol. If you're doing something like this to your engine in your vehicle why would you cheap out with something that wasn't specifically made to put out a fire. Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me. I'd rather stand a good few feet away from the fire to put it out and hang over top and dump baking soda all over

[@PartyWolf36790]

Would a vaccum leak cause the car to have hiccups? It seems my car has lik hiccups when letting off the gas and last I heard was a suction sound when the car was running and the sound came from underneath the motor/ car . My rp would jolt down and come back up at its steady rpm. Feels like a misfire but no codes. Unknown issue I just drive around with been through 4 different mechanics.

[@gbugg1361]

Excellent video...thank you for sharing. I've now replaced damaged hoses bit its still playing up...how long/miles etc could it take for the ecu to sort itself out?

[@sharonharris7534]

Depending on the car, it may just need to cycle thru running conditions. A trip to the store, jump on the freeway, take it to 65 & get off the next exit. Other option is ask ur local Smog Tech what the specific procedure for ur vehicle is. The last option is go to library/internet look up reset procedure for ur specific car. You will need: yr, make, model, motor size & sometimes the vehicle identification number (visible thru front window on driver’s side dash board bottom of the window USUALLY). It will consist of numbers & letters. Normally the VIN isn’t needed but I’ve seen once or twice where CPU/ECU needed it to reset due to options offered on certain vehicles.