What is the best way to find a vacuume leak? I have heard everything from high tech devices to using a unlit propane torch over hose joints. What are your opinions?

 

Since i always have some around, i've always used carb cleaner. Just listen for the idle speed to pick up ahair as you spray it with the tube around anything that could leak, including on hoses themselves. After years of heat they can crack and not even be visible.

...ed

 

Don't overlook the often forgotten intake manifold bolts. Check them for proper torque.

 

humm...

 

my opinion?

just change all of the tubing, it will take you an afternoon to do it right, heating up the hoses one by one and bending them into the correct shape, but it's worth it and you will thank yourself in the end for doinig the job right..

i changed all of the hoses on all of my cars and they all run nice...

vacuum leaks are usually felt at idle, go away when revving, and tend to get worse as the engine gets hotter.. that's a joe-blow explanation but might give you some idea..

------------------
Webmaster: www.IROC-Z.org

 

carb cleaner works great for finding a vaccuum leak. you just try to find an area where you think it's acurring, and spray it ont hat area. If the carb cleaner is sucked in, you have a leak, simple as that.

 

Carb spray is great for determining you HAVE a vacuum leak, however under certain circumstances it can be worthless for pin pointing the leak.

If you spray it in the area of the cold start valve and your engine revs.... what is it?

Cold Start Valve
Fuel Injector
Runner to Manifold
Manifold to Block
EGR
Brake Booster

... or any of the vacuum hoses in a near proximity. I sprayed carb cleaner for months replacing parts only to find my intake was loose and cold start flange was bent.... both of which would have given me the dreaded code 44.