Vacuum Gauge
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Goose Creek SC
Vacuum Gauge
Help. Trying to learn how to use a vacuum gauge. I would like to test my hoses for pressure. I have not purchased a gauge as of yet. Any recommendations? I have an '81.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 926
Likes: 2
From: Castle Rock CO
I did this many years ago and Sears still sells this stuff many of them are still on the shelves in the automotive section of the store.
They are very easy to use to look for vacuum leaks in the system main thing is have a manual that tells the pressure each line should have and test it.
I bought lots of tools years ago. Timing Light, Electrical Testing Kit, Vacuum Gauge
http://www.sears.com/search=automoti...&storeId=10153
Search here for tools for things you may think you need.
Main Items are the Vacuum Gauge, Timing Light and Electrical Testing Kit.
http://www.sears.com/kd-tools-fuel-p...2000P?prdNo=14
They are very easy to use to look for vacuum leaks in the system main thing is have a manual that tells the pressure each line should have and test it.
I bought lots of tools years ago. Timing Light, Electrical Testing Kit, Vacuum Gauge
http://www.sears.com/search=automoti...&storeId=10153
Search here for tools for things you may think you need.
Main Items are the Vacuum Gauge, Timing Light and Electrical Testing Kit.
http://www.sears.com/kd-tools-fuel-p...2000P?prdNo=14
Last edited by MakoJoe; May 17, 2013 at 11:22 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 263
Likes: 20
If you want to test vacuum systems on any cars, buy a MityVac hand vacuum pump. The gauge is built into the tool.
http://www.mityvac.com/
http://www.mityvac.com/
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,323
Likes: 142
From: Green Valley Arizona
Ahhhh...a fellow '81 owner:
I assume you are want to check the headlight hoses, is this correct?
Get one of the Mighty Vac style vacuum pumps...either with gauge or without. Remove the vacuum line from the back of the intake manifold, slip one of the adapters that comes with the MightyVac into the end that was on the intake manifold.
Then create a vacuum. If no vacuum can be created and held, then there is a leak....duh.....isolate sections to find the leak using a finger to plug an open hose end.
A vacuum gauge is good to check the vacuum the engine creates and is a good tool for checking the engine for leaking valves, rings, etc.
Good luck and let us know what you find.
I assume you are want to check the headlight hoses, is this correct?
Get one of the Mighty Vac style vacuum pumps...either with gauge or without. Remove the vacuum line from the back of the intake manifold, slip one of the adapters that comes with the MightyVac into the end that was on the intake manifold.
Then create a vacuum. If no vacuum can be created and held, then there is a leak....duh.....isolate sections to find the leak using a finger to plug an open hose end.
A vacuum gauge is good to check the vacuum the engine creates and is a good tool for checking the engine for leaking valves, rings, etc.
Good luck and let us know what you find.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,198
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Mark,
I agree that a MityVac is the tool to buy.
It will come with a little instruction booklet that will explain how to use it and how to test different things with it.
Regards,
Alan
I agree that a MityVac is the tool to buy.
It will come with a little instruction booklet that will explain how to use it and how to test different things with it.
Regards,
Alan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Here is a good article on how to use a vacuum gauge for engine diagnostics.
http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/186.cfm
Scott
http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/186.cfm
Scott
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Goose Creek SC
I did this many years ago and Sears still sells this stuff many of them are still on the shelves in the automotive section of the store.
They are very easy to use to look for vacuum leaks in the system main thing is have a manual that tells the pressure each line should have and test it.
I bought lots of tools years ago. Timing Light, Electrical Testing Kit, Vacuum Gauge
http://www.sears.com/search=automoti...&storeId=10153
Search here for tools for things you may think you need.
Main Items are the Vacuum Gauge, Timing Light and Electrical Testing Kit.
http://www.sears.com/kd-tools-fuel-p...2000P?prdNo=14
They are very easy to use to look for vacuum leaks in the system main thing is have a manual that tells the pressure each line should have and test it.
I bought lots of tools years ago. Timing Light, Electrical Testing Kit, Vacuum Gauge
http://www.sears.com/search=automoti...&storeId=10153
Search here for tools for things you may think you need.
Main Items are the Vacuum Gauge, Timing Light and Electrical Testing Kit.
http://www.sears.com/kd-tools-fuel-p...2000P?prdNo=14
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Goose Creek SC
If you want to test vacuum systems on any cars, buy a MityVac hand vacuum pump. The gauge is built into the tool.
http://www.mityvac.com/
http://www.mityvac.com/
I see that Northern Tool carries the tool. I will check it out. Thanks.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Goose Creek SC
Ahhhh...a fellow '81 owner:
I assume you are want to check the headlight hoses, is this correct?
Get one of the Mighty Vac style vacuum pumps...either with gauge or without. Remove the vacuum line from the back of the intake manifold, slip one of the adapters that comes with the MightyVac into the end that was on the intake manifold.
Then create a vacuum. If no vacuum can be created and held, then there is a leak....duh.....isolate sections to find the leak using a finger to plug an open hose end.
A vacuum gauge is good to check the vacuum the engine creates and is a good tool for checking the engine for leaking valves, rings, etc.
Good luck and let us know what you find.
I assume you are want to check the headlight hoses, is this correct?
Get one of the Mighty Vac style vacuum pumps...either with gauge or without. Remove the vacuum line from the back of the intake manifold, slip one of the adapters that comes with the MightyVac into the end that was on the intake manifold.
Then create a vacuum. If no vacuum can be created and held, then there is a leak....duh.....isolate sections to find the leak using a finger to plug an open hose end.
A vacuum gauge is good to check the vacuum the engine creates and is a good tool for checking the engine for leaking valves, rings, etc.
Good luck and let us know what you find.
LOL. Yes. Left side comes up good, the right one is lazy; last to pop up and the first to go down. There is about a 3 to 4 second delay in the two. I have a new carb, and I still have a little rough idle. I've been running non-ethanel gas and my engine light doesn't come on any more. But I know I need to learn how to use the gauge. Thanks man.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 631
Likes: 104
From: Yardley Pa
Vacuum pump or Vacuum gauge ? Vacuum pump is good for diagnosing the actuators/relays/switch/by pass. Wilcox corvette has a great trouble shooting video for the headlight system. A Vacuum gauge is a great tool diagnosing your engines health..
Last edited by Sids04; May 19, 2013 at 10:11 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,323
Likes: 142
From: Green Valley Arizona
Sounds like how my headlights operate...but I know why...the cam I have in the engine.
Prime spots to check for leaks are the headlight switch....as it is the most difficult to get to...and the actuators themselves....witches' hat.
Have fun.
Prime spots to check for leaks are the headlight switch....as it is the most difficult to get to...and the actuators themselves....witches' hat.
Have fun.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Goose Creek SC
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Goose Creek SC
Headlight switch. Are you talking about where I pull the headlight **** to turn the lights on from within the car? That headlight switch?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Very interesting. That was rather good! When I was learning to drive back in the early '70's, my dad installed a vacuum guage. When accelerating, i had to keep the needle in the yellow and prefered green areas. That's all I knew about a vacuum guage. We learn something all the time. Thanks.
So, what is it you are trying to do? Diagnose engine or test headlight system? I use my Mity-Vac for both. here's a great article about how your headlight system works, and how to get it running well, it really helped me a lot:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...tem-works.html
Scott