Another vacuum leak!! I need help finding it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh NC
Another vacuum leak!! I need help finding it.
If you will recall, I had a vacuum leak a week or so ago. It was an easy fix-hose at the manifold fitting was backing off. Pushed it back on and everything was cool. Then I had a carb trouble etc etc.
Drove the vette to work on Friday as I usually do weather permitting. Everything was cool this morning, but tonight she really started running badly again. Same symptoms as before. I concluded that I had another vacuum leak when the headlights would not go up. I guess that is a pretty good sign.
The hose from last week is fine. I traced the other lines and do not see anything obvious.
Is it usually a hose split or a bad fitting or something obvious or if you do not see the obvious can you conclude that you have an acutuator seal gone bad?
Is there any way to test whether the actuator seal is gone or if the filter etc. is bad?
I am getting ready to give up on this car.
I realize that part of the hobby is tinkering on the car. I just wish I could get it to the point where I could drive it without something giving out on me. The last few cruises with the vacuum leaks and choke problems, I was worried about getting home in the car. I have had an issue with this thing since the day I bought it.
Drove the vette to work on Friday as I usually do weather permitting. Everything was cool this morning, but tonight she really started running badly again. Same symptoms as before. I concluded that I had another vacuum leak when the headlights would not go up. I guess that is a pretty good sign.
The hose from last week is fine. I traced the other lines and do not see anything obvious.
Is it usually a hose split or a bad fitting or something obvious or if you do not see the obvious can you conclude that you have an acutuator seal gone bad?
Is there any way to test whether the actuator seal is gone or if the filter etc. is bad?
I am getting ready to give up on this car.
I realize that part of the hobby is tinkering on the car. I just wish I could get it to the point where I could drive it without something giving out on me. The last few cruises with the vacuum leaks and choke problems, I was worried about getting home in the car. I have had an issue with this thing since the day I bought it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,280
Likes: 0
From: colorado springs CO
Re: Another vacuum leak!! I need help finding it. (hudman)
buy a vacuum guage for ~20-30 bux... its one of the best investments youll make (toolwise...along with an adjustable timing light...)
then its just a matter of unpluggin lines until you get more vacuum to narrow it down.
then its just a matter of unpluggin lines until you get more vacuum to narrow it down.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 42,487
Likes: 47
SPARTAN
CI 3-4-5-6-8-9-10 Vet
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St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
Re: Another vacuum leak!! I need help finding it. (hudman)
A cheaper item than a vacuum gage for now is a golf tee. Pull off the hose going the headlight/wiper door system and plug it good. Anything change? probably not is my guess.
Next is to systematically eliminate vacuum tubes until something changes the way the car is running. Pull a tube and plug it. pull another & plug it.
Another helpful trick is a simple can of carb cleaner. Spray it around outside the carb and if you hear the engine change, you've found a leak.
Good luck.
Dave
Next is to systematically eliminate vacuum tubes until something changes the way the car is running. Pull a tube and plug it. pull another & plug it.
Another helpful trick is a simple can of carb cleaner. Spray it around outside the carb and if you hear the engine change, you've found a leak.
Good luck.
Dave
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Re: Another vacuum leak!! I need help finding it. (ddecart)
A cheaper item than a vacuum gage for now is a golf tee. Pull off the hose going the headlight/wiper door system and plug it good. Anything change? probably not is my guess.
Next is to systematically eliminate vacuum tubes until something changes the way the car is running. Pull a tube and plug it. pull another & plug it.
Another helpful trick is a simple can of carb cleaner. Spray it around outside the carb and if you hear the engine change, you've found a leak.
Good luck.
Dave
Next is to systematically eliminate vacuum tubes until something changes the way the car is running. Pull a tube and plug it. pull another & plug it.
Another helpful trick is a simple can of carb cleaner. Spray it around outside the carb and if you hear the engine change, you've found a leak.
Good luck.
Dave
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 440
Likes: 0
From: Victoria B.C. CANADA
Re: Another vacuum leak!! I need help finding it. (ddecart)
A trick I use is to purposely lean out the idle mixture screws to get the motor to idle rough, then sray with carb spray, when you find the leak the rpm change is real noticeable.
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Parker TX
Re: Another vacuum leak!! I need help finding it. (hudman)
Do not give up!
The old adage applies: How do you eat and elephant? One bite at a time! Eventually you will get these little gremlins flushed out and you will be pleased. Tinkering is part of it. Tedious and frustrating, I know, but this too shall pass. :cheers:
The old adage applies: How do you eat and elephant? One bite at a time! Eventually you will get these little gremlins flushed out and you will be pleased. Tinkering is part of it. Tedious and frustrating, I know, but this too shall pass. :cheers:
