Car Vacuum Tubes
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Car Vacuum Tubes & PCV Valves
Car vacuum tubes have been around for decades. There has always been some component that uses engine vacuum to work. The most common and still used today is the brake booster which allows you to effortlessly operated brake disc calipers. Don't believe me, switch off your engine and pump the brake pedal 2 or 3 times. It will suddenly get very stiff and hard to operate when the vacuum runs out.
The new use is the cars climate control systems. Vehicles use vacuum to operate vents and control heating and cooling in the cabin. It has been used under the bonnet to control various components including PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) systems and engine spark timing. (vacuum advance) There is simply a connector screwed into the engine air intake that bled engine vacuum and sometimes a small tank was used as a vacuum reservoir to store it. Due to engine stop/start technology some vehicles now run a vacuum pump to provide engine vacuum.
What are the symptoms of a car Vacuum Leak?
This can vary depending on where it is and how bad it is. Symptoms like check engine light on and poor engine performance on acceleration or idling. If you open the bonnet you my even hear a hissing or sucking sound. A quick visual inspection or pulling on the hoses can sometimes find the cause.
What is a PCV Valve?
All combustion engines are inherently a sealed unit. With heat build-up when running they will build up pressure internally as the oil is splashed around and sprayed over components to keep them well lubricated. This creates a build-up of vapors in the crankcase and if not vented can internally pressurise the engine and force oil out of seals and gaskets. In the old days this was just vented to the atmosphere.
Since the 70's the PCV valve has done this job. The PCV valve is one way so it lets the pressure out, not the air in. Usually mounted near the top of the engine it connects to the intake manifold. They have done this so oil vapour is sucked out of the crankcase and burned in the combustion process. On older, worn out engines or diesels you may need to put in a filter as they can pump out too much oil vapour which hurts combustion.
Is it easy to replace a Vacuum Hose?
Usually, yes it is and the hose itself is relatively cheap. Most vacuum hoses are rubber or in some cases plastic or metal. Silicone is getting to be an alternative to the rubber. The hardest part besides finding the leak can be getting to the hose to replace it. Removing it from an old plastic fitting needs some care as these can get brittle with age and can crack or break off altogether.
How much does it cost to fix a Vacuum Leak?
I am talking about just a hose replacement, not a component part. It will be from $95 to $175 including the hose.
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