European Fix warns that your Jaguar or other European make could have a vacuum leak if you notice any of the following signs listed below. An engine vacuum leak can cause tremendous problems with your vehicle’s performance because it is releasing excess air into the engine. Vacuum leaks most commonly occur in vacuum hoses, which are designed to last a lifetime but can often succumb to failure after years of abuse from the engine. Here are signs that your Jaguar has a vacuum leak.
Check Engine Dashboard Warning
Because there is too much air in the engine, the engine control module will receive error codes from various engine sensors and will turn on the check engine light to let you know that there’s a problem. This light covers things that do not have their own dashboard warning light, and a vacuum leak is one of these problems. It’s important to have a check engine warning diagnosed as soon as possible.
Engine Performance Issues
You may also notice acceleration and engine performance issues with a vacuum leak. Because the air and fuel mixture has too much air in it due to the vacuum leak, your acceleration will be sluggish when you press down on the accelerator and your engine may sputter, hiccup, or even stall. This is because the engine is not getting enough gasoline to meet your demand for power when you press down on the accelerator.
Abnormally High RPMs
Another sign that your European automobile has a vacuum leak is an abnormally high RPM reading. Take a look at your tachometer if you are having engine performance issues, and if you see that the RPMs are registering unusually high, chances are you have a vacuum leak that is releasing too much air into the engine. The needle may also bounce up and down because the engine is getting the excess air in spurts from the leaking vacuum hoses.
Suction Noises in the Engine
Finally, automotive vacuum leaks sound much like your home’s vacuum. You might be able to hear suction noises coming from your engine and, if you follow the sound, you may be able to see the vacuum hose that is leaking. Vacuum leaks that are minor sound more like hissing than suction. You may also hear squealing coming from your engine.
European Fix is the best European auto shop in Clinton Township, MI, and we’d be happy to inspect your Jaguar’s engine to see if you have a vacuum leak. We work on all European makes and models.