If your engine is hissing, squealing, or making a suction noise, one of the vacuum hoses is leaking. This can happen in older automobiles. The vacuum pressure moves through the hoses so it can be used to power engine components. The vacuum pressure is created in the combustion chamber. If you do have a leaking hose in the engine, you will hear the vacuum pressure escaping all the time.
Performance Problems
In addition to the strange noises, you will also start to have performance problems with your engine. As the vacuum pressure escapes out of the leak in the hose, it will fill the engine with air. Unfortunately, this slows down the production of combustion in the combustion chamber and makes the engine lag. It may also sputter or hiccup. Replacing the vacuum hose will resolve the problem.
Poor Fuel Economy
One would think that if the engine is lagging it is not using as much fuel, but the opposite is actually true. The engine uses more fuel when it is running inefficiently. Consequently, until you have the leaking hose replaced, your vehicle will suffer from poor fuel economy. Gas prices are at an all-time high, and the need to head to the service station more often can hit your budget severely.
Malfunctioning Components
As we mentioned in the introduction, your engine recycles the vacuum pressure to power various components. An example of a component that uses vacuum pressure is the power steering pump. Consequently, if you have a hydraulic steering system, you may start to have difficulties with the steering because the power steering pump is not getting enough power.
Erratic Engine RPMs
Take a look at your tachometer while you are driving to see what the needle is doing if you suspect that you have a vacuum leak. If the needle is bouncing up and down or registering higher than normal, you probably do have a vacuum leak. Every time the engine gets hit with extra air, the RPMs will increase. As such, you can see the vacuum leak reflected on the tachometer.
Check Engine Warning
Finally, you have learned that there are numerous problems if the engine is leaking vacuum pressure. Consequently, you may end up with the check engine warning on the dashboard. The check engine light will stay on until you have the vacuum leak fixed.
Do not worry. We can do that at our shop. Give us a call today so we can schedule an appointment that works well with your schedule.