How do I find a vacuum leak?

Dec 05, 2003 2 Replies

I believe I have correctly diagnosed my latest problem as the result of a vacuum leak...now how do I find out where it's leaking?



My car is a 1983 240 Turbo with the Bosch injection system (CiS I believe).



So any suggestions on how this can be done? Someone told me a smoke machine was a common way but a) I don't have one and b) so what if I did, how would I use it?



Thanks for any suggestions.



blurp


A smoke machine forces smoke under pressure into the intake manifold. When you see where it leaks out, you've found your leak. Spraying any fluid out of a spray bottle (WD 40, water, whatever) will change the idle when you're hitting the leak. On a 240 Turbo, the injector seals are a good place to start. Any leak anywhere from the air flow meter, turbo, intercooler, intake manifold through to the injectors will cause a problem. There are 1 or 2 hoses (2 if intercooled) stuck through holes in the cast aluminum pipe that is inbetween the air flow meter and turbo that often fall or get pulled out.

Thanks Mike! I'll check it out today.

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