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Re: Finding a vacuum leak

To: "M. Frankford" <martin@virtual-motors.com>
Subject: Re: Finding a vacuum leak
From: Roger Gibbs <rgibbs@pacbell.net>
Date: Tue, 08 May 2001 12:04:24 -0700
Jim,

I will second  the advice given my "M" below (makes me souund like James Bond 
to say
that).

In my experience there are large differences in the life expectancy of "rubber"
hoses.  Depending on the use in your area of gasoline additives, the presence or
lack of oil leaks/fumes and the routing of hoses near heat sources can all 
cause.,in
some cases a dramatic, a shortening of the life of a hose.  If you do go and buy
enough bulk hose length to replace the hoses a couple of good things will 
results:
1. You will have new hoses of known quality, 2. you may find the vacuum leak for
certain (there may be a slit is a line that you cannot see), 3. You will have a
better idea of the condition of other parts of the car, (might find a broken or
fraying wire, a developing fluid leak, etc.).

In response to your question about using starter fluid.  I have used liquid to
diagnois vacuum leaks , although I do not use starter fluid.  You do not 
necessary
need to feed a fuel, you are trying to stop a vacuum leak.  Say you have a torn
gasket  between two machined surfaces.  A liquid will be pulled in and 
temporaily
seal the leak.  I have used carb cleaner and WD-40.  Just a little. This has 
been
successful for me. These fluids are also flammable and I am careful to use just 
a
little and I haven't had the need to spray them near a hot exhaust manifold, and
probaly never will.  If you think you know the area where a leak might exist you
could also spread a little grease to offer a seal.

Good luck!

Oh, also remeber that the vacuum line may be used to actuate air conditioning 
valves
and such within the cab.  If the condition comes and goes based on a/c controls 
you
might want to look there.

-Roger

"M. Frankford" wrote:

> I use the brute force approach. Replace all the lines. By the time you find 
>the
> leak you could have replaced all the lines. And then another leak will apear.
> Vaccuum line is cheap. Replacing all of your 14-year-old-line isn't hard. I
> replace hoses and belts before they go bad. I would rather replace them in my 
>dry
> garage wearing old clothes with only 50% wear than along side the road in the
> rain wearing a suit when they hit 100% wear. Belts, hoses, and vacuum line are
> cheap. Same goes with tires. No economy in using worn out tires.
>
> James Babcock wrote:
>
> > My 1987 pickup seems to have a vacuum leak.  I have heard of ways
> > to find a leak such as spraying starting fluid onto the hoses.
> > When the engine races, the leak has been found.

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