If you hear hissing or section noises coming from your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s engine, you have a leaking vacuum hose. McCurley’s Shell advises that in addition to the noise, this can create other problems with your automobile’s engine. Replacing the leaking vacuum hose solves the problem, so this isn’t a major repair. Here are signs that your automobile has a vacuum leak.
Check Engine Light
One of the first things that will happen is the check engine light will turn on because of the other problems listed below. The check engine light is directed to illuminate by the engine control module. If the module receives an error code from one of the system sensors, it will turn on the check engine light because an engine vacuum leak does not have a light of its own.
Component Trouble
You may also notice problems with your vehicle’s components. For example, the vacuum pressure produced by your automobile’s engine is what powers the power steering pump. If the vacuum leak is reducing the amount of power the power steering pump has, it may affect its functionality and you may find it difficult to control your automobile.
Sluggish Acceleration
The leaking vacuum hose releases air into the engine. This excess air increases the amount of air found in the combustion chamber. Unfortunately, this imbalance between the air and fuel can cause your acceleration to lag. Your vehicle needs extra fuel when you try to pick up speed. When there is too much air in the combustion chamber, the opposite will happen.
Sluggish Engine Performance
This also affects your engine’s performance. You will notice that your engine seems sluggish and slow to respond. In severe cases, it may also sputter at high speeds. In addition, your engine’s idle may get rough, and it may feel as if your vehicle is going to stall when you are sitting at an idle. This is all due to the excess air being released into the engine by the leaking vacuum hose.
Erratic Tachometer Needle
Finally, if you see that your tachometer needle is dancing up and down, this, too, points to an engine vacuum leak. As the air blows out of the leaking hose in spurts, your engine’s RPMs increase and then go back to normal. You will see this reflected on the tachometer. The needle will dance up and down with each spurt.
Call McCurley’s Shell in Atlanta, GA, today if you think your car, truck, or utility vehicle has a vacuum leak. We will find the leak and fix it.