vacuum leak
Unwanted air intrusion
A vacuum leak is an unintended opening that allows air into a sealed system meant to maintain lower-than-atmospheric pressure.
In automotive contexts, vacuum leaks in the intake manifold cause rough idling, poor fuel economy, and engine trouble: The mechanic found a vacuum leak in one of the hoses.
The term applies to any system—industrial, scientific, or mechanical—where unwanted air infiltration compromises function.
- hoseFlexible fluid conduit
- sealAuthentication stamp or mark
- gasketMechanical leak preventer
- hissingSharp sss sound
- airGaseous envelope surrounding Earth
suction · intake manifold · intake · manifold · engine · check engine light · idle · rough · pressure · crack · fitting · loose connection · clamp · brake · brake booster · booster · whistle · carburetor
- car problemsflat tire, dead battery, engine light, check engine, brake failure
- vacuum technologyturbopump, feedthrough, viewport, gate valve, torr
- car diagnosticsOBD, OBD-II, check engine light, diagnostic tool, code reader
- engine behavioridling, running, stalling, starting, revving
- turbo issuesturbo lag, overboost, surge, flutter, oil contamination