One thing I hate besides the fuel filter's location

[RossT]

I too say use the wd40 to find you vacuum leak when warm. Also make sure your fuel return line is free from obstruction. I remember another member had issues with this. The return line was plugged. He use an air compressor to gently blow air back to the tank, and it blew the obstruction out. It salved his problems!

[Syndrome Zed]

Thanks guys, I'll give it a shot. I'm always cooking off a little oil from my stupid leaky oil pan anyway, so a little extra WD won't even be noticed - except hopefully by my idle, so I can fix this little problem once and for all!

I guess I shouldn't be surprised if it is another hose - it's been like the movie The Andromeda Strain the last month or so. Something has just flat out eaten all my hoses all of a sudden - I've had one vac leak, and 3 separate splits at the clamps of my coolant hoses. Weirdness, I tell ya.

[DOCTORBILL]

How old are the hoses? Nothing lives forever....

If they are older than dirt, they usually all go to pot at once - typical.

If that has been happening, it would be a very good idea to replace ALL of your
rubber hoses at the same time.

Why wait for them to spring a leak ? Do you like problems at the worst possible time ?

Go buy several feet of each diameter and find each and every hose and replace it.!

You will sleep better for it.

Probably everything made of rubber is crapped out....

DoctorBill

[Syndrome Zed]

Originally Posted by DOCTORBILL

How old are the hoses? Nothing lives forever....

If they are older than dirt, they usually all go to pot at once - typical.

If that has been happening, it would be a very good idea to replace ALL of your
rubber hoses at the same time.

Why wait for them to spring a leak ? Do you like problems at the worst possible time ?

Go buy several feet of each diameter and find each and every hose and replace it.!

You will sleep better for it.

Probably everything made of rubber is crapped out....

DoctorBill

Heh - that's exactly what I've been doing . As far as I can tell, the hoses are original equipment. So the last few times I was at Ecology (the local pick-a-part place) I checked out the newer vehicles and any of the other cars with replacement hoses, and yanked a wide assortment of hoses and clamps to replace mine.

Of course, I don't honestly know if that's exactly the problem. It SOUNDS like a vac leak to me, and no one's suggested anything different besides the fuel pump/regulator, which I've replaced. So right now, I'm going on the basis of vac leak and replacing hoses, checking the throttle body, etc.

But if anyone knows of any other issue that could cause the problems I'm having, I'm all ears. I want my little buddy back, dammit!

[Syndrome Zed]

So here's a new question. My rear brake wheel cylinders are both leaking and need to be replaced. I've got a couple used ones that are in good shape.

But my question is this - could this be the source of the vacuum leak that seems to be the cause of my engine problems?

I know the power brake booster uses vacuum to boost the braking, and I know my braking is not where it should be - I have to be careful to monitor my brake fluid level or I can press the brake pedal to the floor. :P But can the leak at the wheel cylinders and loss of brake fluid also let air into the system and allow vacuum to leak through there? Or is the power booster vacuum sealed off from the rest of the booster/brake fluid hydraulic system?

[DOCTORBILL]

Why not be a scientist and do the EXPERIMENT - plug up the hoses at
the rear brakes with some rod or bolt, and try driving the car when/where there
is no traffic to see if it drives better? Just be careful.

Better yet - fix the brake cylinders ASAP.

If there is a vacuum leak anywhere, the vacuum comes from the intake manifold
and thus any leak will screw up that vacuum.

DoctorBill

[Syndrome Zed]

Originally Posted by DOCTORBILL

Why not be a scientist and do the EXPERIMENT - plug up the hoses at
the rear brakes with some rod or bolt, and try driving the car when/where there
is no traffic to see if it drives better? Just be careful.

Better yet - fix the brake cylinders ASAP.

If there is a vacuum leak anywhere, the vacuum comes from the intake manifold
and thus any leak will screw up that vacuum.

DoctorBill

Matter of fact, I actually am a scientist - except my vehicles are flesh and bone at work. I do neurobiological research and play mechanic/technician in my spare time (no offense Matt, you know I'm an amateur!). So I was thinking about that too - a little wary of cutting off half my brakes, but last night I thought about it some more and I probably have already driven it without those brakes working anyway.


So I spent yesterday tracing the power brake booster vac lines. If I have time today - I have to get a grant finished and the deadline's getting a little close for comfort - I plan on doing the experiment you suggested, DOC. I'll post the results as long as they don't involve running into a tree!

[Woodie83]

No, your brake fluid leak will not cause a vacuum leak, they're completely separated systems. You could have a vacuum leak inside the brake booster though. I'd get the brakes 100% fixed before worrying about the engine driveability, wouldn't drive a car with known leaky brakes any farther than the closest shop, and that only with one hand on the emergency brake.