Spent all morning chasing a rough idle that cleared up with a vacuum line check...

Had this older truck in the shop with a shaky idle and stalling at stops... replaced the plugs and cleaned the throttle body, but it still ran rough. On a hunch, I started inspecting the vacuum lines and found a tiny crack in one behind the intake manifold. Replaced that short section of hose, and the engine smoothed out right away... can't believe I almost overlooked it. Makes you remember to check the simple stuff first, even when it seems like a bigger issue. Anyone have a similar story where a vacuum leak caused weird symptoms? How do you usually find them without spraying stuff everywhere?

3 comments

3 Comments

jade_murphy1mo ago

Can't believe I almost overlooked it" is the mechanic's anthem.

elizabeth_gonzalez1mo ago

Right? It's that same shock when you finally spot the 10mm socket sitting in plain sight on the bench. Or when the weird noise you've been chasing for a week turns out to be a loose heat shield, something you checked three times already. That moment of pure relief mixed with a little bit of rage for all the time wasted. It's the universal sign you were looking too hard at the complicated stuff.

the_thea1mo ago

Extend that feeling to finding your keys after checking the same pocket twice.