02 Lincoln LS Vacuum leak

[JOHNSJ22]

My 02 Lincoln LS seems to have a vacuum leak coming from behind or underneath the intake manifold. The car is a 3.0 litre V6 and I can hear the leak inside the vehicle coming from the driver side. It sounds like the defrost is on and underneath the hood sounds like an air leak. The leak seems to get louder as I accelerate and the car sputters as if the ratio of gas to air is off. Can anyone help me troubleshoot this problem and give me an idea of cost to fix it? I appreciate your help in advance.

Sincerely,

Jac

[joegr]

Search, it's one of the bigger threads here. It's a common problem with the PCV hose/elbow.

[brcidd]

I've gone as far as to use a deflated balloon and lay it all around intake gasket, or any other vacuum hose. When hissing quits, and balloon is sucked in against the leak, you have found it...

[danielsatur]

1) Remove Air filter and wrap with glad wrap, and put back filter back in.
The idea is to block all the air Intake.
2) Remove brake booster vacuum hose from the brake booster.
3) Light a Black & Mild cigar and blow smoke into the Brake booster vacuum hose going into the intake, put thumb over hose end in between puffs of smoke.
4) Focus on PCV, EGR, and Intake system for smoke leaks.

Do a AF-serarch on DTC P0171
Also, see Similar Threads at the bottom of yours.