It’s important to replace a leaking vacuum hose right away to resolve the problems we are going to list below. Crossroads Automotive can find the leaking vacuum hose in your engine and replace it for you. This is a fix that shouldn’t take too much time out of your day. Let’s talk about how a vacuum leak affects your engine’s performance alongside the performance of some of the components.
Engine Power Loss
The vacuum leak will cause your engine to lose power, especially when you accelerate. This is because the vacuum leak is filling the engine with air. In addition to the power loss, you may also end up with component failure, such as a malfunctioning power steering pump, if the leaking vacuum hose was directing the pressure directly to that component to power it.
Reduced Fuel Economy
Unfortunately, when the engine is having problems running, it will use more fuel than it normally does. This will reduce your vehicle’s fuel economy and you will end up at the service station more often. This can create a huge problem if you are on a tight budget. Once you have the vacuum leak repaired, your engine should begin to get the gas mileage that it normally gets.
High or Fluctuating RPMs
Another sign that your engine has a vacuum leak is high or fluctuating RPMs. Every time the engine gets an influx of air flowing out of the vacuum hose, the RPMs will increase. If the vacuum pressure is leaking steadily out of the hose, your engine will run with constantly high RPMs. If the vacuum pressure is leaking out of the hose sporadically, the tachometer needle will bounce up and down.
Squealing or Suction Sounds
An engine vacuum leak can create strange noises underneath the hood. For example, you may hear constant squealing from the moment you start your automobile until you turn it off. You may also hear suction noises that remind you of the sounds that come from a shop vac. This is the noise that the leaking vacuum hose will make until it is replaced.
Dashboard Warning Light
Finally, you may end up with an illuminated check engine light on the dashboard because one or more of your vehicle’s system sensors have reported an error to the main computer chip, the engine control unit.
Again, Crossroads Automotive in Topeka, KS, can find your vehicle’s vacuum leak and fix it. Call us today for a service appointment that fits into your schedule.