Re: Where are ALL the vacuum lines & rubber bo (archive)

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All of my vacuum lines and rubber boots are in very good condition. A few vacuum lines that seemed suspect had been replaced as well. Even after replacing these hoses and tie wrapping the ends of each vacuum line very tightly, being sure to double check those lines which connects to the rubber boot and then tees off in three directions, I still could not locate the source of the vacuum leak. With my handheld Sun vacuum gauge connected into a nozzle on the intake manifold, I could see the needle flutter back & forth slightly at idle. So this prompted me to keep looking and not be convinced that I've completely sealed off those airleaks. After plugging up the dipstick grommet, however, the vacuum gauge now stands pretty steady at a constant reading.

As a sidenote, I even picked up a can of starting fluid and was ready to start spraying at these hoses to locate the source of the leak. I've read that the engine idle increases RPM when the starting fluid finds the leak.

: : Car needed to idle above 1200-1500 rpm. When I adjust idle screw for 700-900 rpm idle speed, and I brake at stop lights the engine drops down to 200-300 rpms , stalls momentarily, and I have to add some gas to get it to flutter back up to 1200 rpms. SO lately, I've kept the idle above 1200 rpm.

: : Also, when I am cruising about, and I depress the clutch pedal to stop for traffic, engine's rpm only falls to 1500-2000 rpm, never really dropping down to 1200 rpm that I initially set. Subsequent settings will get me in the ballpark but idle fluctuates on its own, never consistent, sometimes 1200 rpm, other times as much as 1800 rpms.

: : Yesterday, I grab my dipstick to check the level of my oil, and sensing no friction between the stick & the dipstick tube, I grabbed some duct tape and wrapped it 1-1/2 times around the dipstick grommet. THat tightened up the fit and closed up whatever leak was present. Started up the car, and I immediately felt smoothness I haven't felt in this car before. I readjusted the idle for 800 rpm, went for a drive, and now the idle sticks to 800rpm, consistently, and everytime. It even sounds a slight bit quieter when accelerating.

: : THe other thing I also did prior to this was to tie wrap every end of my vacuum hoses as tightly as I could.
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: : Still on the list, that wheel shimmy.

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