- Aug 20, 2004
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Best way to check for a vacuum leak
- Thread starter PonyboyIsaac
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nyuk98gt
15 Year Member
PonyboyIsaac:
You have to do this very carefully. Legal disclaimer: I take no responsibility for fire, loss, damage, injury of any kind for using or mis-using this leak detection method. Use it at your own risk.
Get some rubber tube (get some from Lowe's or Home Depot), 3/16" or 1/4" ID should work OK. Take your propane torch head and take the larger diameter flame generator off the brass supply tube. You should be left with a valve portion with a short piece of tubing. Connect the rubber tube to the metal tube and make sure it is a tight fit (no leaks). Connect the valve portion to a propane cylinder.
With your car parked away from the house/garage and on a level surface, you are ready to start looking for leaks. Raise the hood, start the engine. When the idle has steadied, open the propane valve JUST A LITTLE and direct the open end of the hose along the joints where you suspect a leak: manifold to heads, throttle body to upper manifold, upper to lower manifold, EGR to upper manifold, etc. Check anywhere there is a seam and you can get the hose close to it. If there is a vacuum leak, the propane will be drawn in and the engine speed will increase.
Good luck and be careful.
Chris
You have to do this very carefully. Legal disclaimer: I take no responsibility for fire, loss, damage, injury of any kind for using or mis-using this leak detection method. Use it at your own risk.
Get some rubber tube (get some from Lowe's or Home Depot), 3/16" or 1/4" ID should work OK. Take your propane torch head and take the larger diameter flame generator off the brass supply tube. You should be left with a valve portion with a short piece of tubing. Connect the rubber tube to the metal tube and make sure it is a tight fit (no leaks). Connect the valve portion to a propane cylinder.
With your car parked away from the house/garage and on a level surface, you are ready to start looking for leaks. Raise the hood, start the engine. When the idle has steadied, open the propane valve JUST A LITTLE and direct the open end of the hose along the joints where you suspect a leak: manifold to heads, throttle body to upper manifold, upper to lower manifold, EGR to upper manifold, etc. Check anywhere there is a seam and you can get the hose close to it. If there is a vacuum leak, the propane will be drawn in and the engine speed will increase.
Good luck and be careful.
Chris
carb/choke cleaner works too. it's easier to get and probably safer too
this method works better on some engines than others, the 4.6 i'm not really sure of
this method works better on some engines than others, the 4.6 i'm not really sure of
nyuk98gt
15 Year Member
Superhereaux:
True. I suggested propane gas partly because I watch "King of the Hill" but mainly because propane is not harmful to the paint.
Chris
True. I suggested propane gas partly because I watch "King of the Hill" but mainly because propane is not harmful to the paint.
Chris
- Aug 20, 2004
- 79
- 1
- 0
i was told at the dyno i'm running lean at idle, the dude at the dynoshop said it was most likely my chip so we called up kenne bell and they said it was most likely a vacuum leak, i doubt that but who knows, i'll try anything before getting a new chip burned. thanks for the replys guys, i'll keep u posted on what happens.
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