2003 Mazda 6 Alternator, Broken vaccum line, or worse?

BCOVIC85

MEMBER
2003 MAZDA 6
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
87,500 MILES

After my car has sat for a bit (overnight for example) when I start my car and leave for work it begins to severly shake after driving.5 miles. The shaking will stop as I tap the gas but after a few moments is shakes again. The shaking does however stop after driving it for approx. 1 mile (or 5 mins in Columbus traffic). Last night I started the car and as it shook the dome lights began to dim- again until I pressed the gas. I then opened the hood and heard a sound that sounded like a tire or a ball that had a hole and was leaking air. So my? Is alternator, vacuum line or worse? Im not sure if I should continue to drive it until Sept 13 when I can afford to fix it because it only shakes during idle or should I be really concerned?

1 Reply

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

If you can hear air that load, it should'nt be to hard to find the vacuum leak, do this: Get a can of spray gumout, start the car and spray around, pay attention to vacuum lines and manifold, if the idle changes, you found a leak. You want the engine running and spray on the outside but do direct the stream onto the hoses, if it is a vacuum leak, the engine idle will change speed, then you have detected a leak, repair the vacuum leak and see how it runs!