Checking For Vacuum Leaks With Brake Cleaner
How To Check For Vacuum Leaks With Brake Cleaner ? Before we start learning how to check for vacuum leaks with brake cleaner, let’s first understand how you can make sure that the problem with your engine is a vacuum leak or not.
The first thing you have to consider before checking anything is “engine light.” However, there are multiple things that can be the possible reason for lit engine light. However, if you can listen to a hissing sound from the engine while accelerating, there are 99% chances that the problem is a vacuum leak.
Ways To Find Vacuum Leak in A car Engine
Method 1: Brake Cleaner To Check For Vacuum Leaks
In this procedure, you will need a flammable brake cleaner. In the beginning, you have to let the engine cool down and then start the process. Once the engine is at normal temperature, you have to clean the intakes with the water and then spray brake cleaner on it.
Note: spray slowly on the intakes.
You will now see bubbles on the hose, which illustrates where the leakage is. Another thing to keep in mind while spraying on the gaskets is that if the engine speed increases, it means gaskets are damaged and have to be replaced.
A lot of people find this method to check vacuum leaks useful, but on the other hand, some people are doubtful that this method is not accurate, and brake cleaner can damage the engine as well. Considering those things in mind, we have made a list of few more methods that will help to check the vacuum leaks in your car engine without using a brake cleaner.
Method 2: Use Soapy Water How To Check For Vacuum Leaks With Brake Cleaner
This method has been used for ages, and it is considered one of the cheapest and most accurate methods to check leaks. It’s not just about the vacuum leaks. Soapy water is used to check the leaks for multiple things. We can take the example of gas leakage from the air conditioner or from a tire. Soapy water is a lifesaver in all conditions.
All you have to do is to fill a bottle of soapy water and slowly spray it on all the possibly affected hoses. Make sure you turn on the engine before doing this process. You will see bubbles coming out if there is any leakage.
Method 3: Carburetor Cleaner trick
This method of checking vacuum leakage is similar to the first method: how to check vacuum leakages with a brake cleaner. The primary thing to keep in mind while checking leakages with this method is to keep the car in neutral and only spray on the points that can be potentially damaged. In case there are some leakages, the engine will sound different or run faster.
Method 4: Professional Method
Although this method is a bit expensive compared to the options mentioned above, it is the most accurate. The experts always prefer checking leakages with this method.
The process of checking leakages with this method includes the use of an EVAP smoke machine. This machine is easily available in the market, but the price tag might not suit your pocket. A good EVAP smoke machine costs around $900.
The main thing the EVAP machine does is it gives out thick smoke, which goes into the internal regulator. The machine keeps the smoke level, so the other parts of the engine don’t get damaged by that. Once the smoke enters the part where there is leakage, you will notice smoke puffs coming out of that part.
If you cannot see any smoke puffs, that means there are no leaks in the vacuum.
Conclusion
Vacuum leaks can be a big problem for you. Therefore, it is important to learn and understand methods to check vacuum leaks with brake cleaner and other methods. Remember to keep the precautions in mind doing anything related to the engine. Protective measures include: wearing gloves, masks, and other necessary gear. You should also have some kind of protection for the eyes and a fire extinguisher nearby.
This was all from our side, and we are sure you have basic knowledge about checking vacuum leaks with brake cleaner and other things. We have additionally listed the pros and cons of every method. Now it’s your turn to decide which method suits you the best. To stay updated with other tips and tricks to check vacuum leaks, keep reading our blogs.
