A vacuum leak on your automobile is no joke. It can cause serious problems when it comes to your car’s performance, since a leak will release too much air into the engine. Usually occurring in the hoses, these leaks are commonplace on cars with over 100k miles. Fountain City Auto Clinic lists some of the signs that your vehicle may have one of these leaks.
Performance Issues
The gas pedal means go. It’s one of the parts of your car that must function properly if you intend to safely drive. You may have a vacuum leak if your car is not accelerating like usual. If the air is mixing with the fuel at an improper ratio, your acceleration will be slower than normal when you depress the pedal. Your engine may make strange noises as well – sputters and stalls may become common. The problem is simple – your engine is not receiving enough fuel. If this is the case, it’s time for a thorough diagnosis.
High RPMs
Your car measures engine power in “revolutions per minute”, or RPMs. If you notice that your tachometer is consistently reading higher-than-normal values as you drive, you also may have a vacuum leak issue. Again, this is an issue with too much air reaching the engine. You may experience spurts or hiccups when you drive as well. This is a sign that you need to get your car in for a check-up.
Suction Noises
If you notice any sounds that resemble a home-vacuum, then you may very well have a leak. Any suction noises are a surefire sign of this. You may even be able to see the leak coming from the actual hoses that connect to your engine. A good rule of thumb: a minor leak will hiss, a major leak will make a sucking noise. Either one is bad news.
Check Engine Light
Finally, you will most likely be alerted via your dashboard if you have a vacuum leak. Your engine will fire engine codes from its sensors as it identifies the problem, and you will receive a visual signal on your dash that indicates there is a problem. If you experience this, it’s time to bring your car in for service.
Fountain City Auto Clinic in Knoxville, TN is standing by to diagnose and repair any vehicle issues you may be having. Our team of trained and certified technicians make it their top priority to offer premium auto repair services to the entire Knoxville area. Call today to schedule an appointment!