Air Leaks

Steve · 01-11-12, 09:49 PM

I have a car which I believe has a vacuum leak and therefore I need to test a number of hoses.

What would you recommend in terms of equipment for doing the job?

I have heard about the Mity Vacs, but would ask, which is the best model to get?

Cheers,

Steve

John. · 02-11-12, 07:46 AM

If it were me I'd take the hose off, give it a visual once over and then put my finger over one end and suck on the other ............. you get the idea!
I've never heard of Mity vacs.
With the engine running spraying an accelerant around the area which is suspect would cause the engine speed to increase if there is a leak.

Good luck.
John.

PeterB · 02-11-12, 09:05 AM

I have a Mityvac kit, and it has proved very useful on more than one occasion.

If you do get one, get the one with a metal body and gauge fitted, and that can be switched from 'vacuum to pressurise' with a little lever. The kit I have also has all sorts of fittings, plugs caps etc for doing various jobs.
I'll see if there is a part or reference number on it tonight Steve.

msh · 02-11-12, 09:46 AM

What is mitty vac - small robot which does all the testing relieving you of the task?

If seriously, can't see a need for something like that, unless it costs less than 5 quid - it's way better to remove and inspect all the elements needed to test.

Tim C · 02-11-12, 11:30 AM

I got one of these in the end, for various purposes

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Comes-with...item3377ac9446

Seems a bit more substantial.

If you've got access to a compressor, you can try applying pressure to the hoses.
It's usually easier to find a pressure leak with some soapy water than finding a vacuum leak by trial and error.

Emjay · 02-11-12, 01:32 PM

first question before doing any diving in are what symptoms are you seeing to make you think you have a vaccuum leak??

02-11-12, 11:30 AM	#5
Tim C Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Poole, Dorset, England Posts: 1,729	I got one of these in the end, for various purposes http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Comes-with...item3377ac9446 Seems a bit more substantial. If you've got access to a compressor, you can try applying pressure to the hoses. It's usually easier to find a pressure leak with some soapy water than finding a vacuum leak by trial and error. __________________ quattro RR - crystal silver quattro WR - 1981 Lombard RAC rally recreation (50% share) Nissan Navara - tow car / service vehicle for above A4 2.0T quattro s-line special edition - wife's http://www.flickr.com/photos/37654549@N06/sets/

02-11-12, 07:46 AM	#2
John. 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Scottish Borders. Posts: 7,543	If it were me I'd take the hose off, give it a visual once over and then put my finger over one end and suck on the other ............. you get the idea! I've never heard of Mity vacs. With the engine running spraying an accelerant around the area which is suspect would cause the engine speed to increase if there is a leak. Good luck. John.

02-11-12, 09:05 AM	#3
PeterB You absolute shower! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The Chester Posts: 1,444	I have a Mityvac kit, and it has proved very useful on more than one occasion. If you do get one, get the one with a metal body and gauge fitted, and that can be switched from 'vacuum to pressurise' with a little lever. The kit I have also has all sorts of fittings, plugs caps etc for doing various jobs. I'll see if there is a part or reference number on it tonight Steve.

02-11-12, 09:46 AM	#4
msh 4 ring whore! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rucava, Latvija Posts: 3,816	What is mitty vac - small robot which does all the testing relieving you of the task? If seriously, can't see a need for something like that, unless it costs less than 5 quid - it's way better to remove and inspect all the elements needed to test.

02-11-12, 01:32 PM	#6
Emjay Man Fettler Extraodinaire Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Up my own arse blowing smoke Posts: 7,417	first question before doing any diving in are what symptoms are you seeing to make you think you have a vaccuum leak??