Vacuum leak, power struggles gasping?

Tiny
DAVENOOB
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 150,000 MILES
So, my car has a vacuum leak somewhere I can hear it coming from the back of the engine. Could this cause power issues? Like going uphill slightly make RPMs go past shifting point and start to shake or studder? It happens at 45 MPH and 65 MPH. Would a vacuum leak affect the power that way?
Monday, February 26th, 2024 AT 10:02 AM

20 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Yes, it will because it will fool the MAF sensor which will tell the PCM to give the engine less fuel. This guide can help you find the leak but only use this guide when the engine is cold. You can also use a smoke machine.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

Also, I have seen the upper intake manifold plenum gasket give out which I have included how to change it out in case you find it leaking. Also, check the boot between the throttle body and MAF sensor. Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response to the problem so we can see what's going on.
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Monday, February 26th, 2024 AT 12:23 PM
Tiny
DAVENOOB
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  • 303 POSTS
Okay, the article mentions blend door actuator issues. Due to high desert temps I've had 2 actuators go fixed one but the blend door clicks on and off constantly. It's clicks when car off or when turn ac on like the teeth of gears are stripped. It blows A/C well and heat ok sometimes have to switch between heat/cool to get heat to blow out of correct vent. Could this be related or just actuators failing?
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Thursday, February 29th, 2024 AT 12:43 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

The actuators are electric, so they are not related. Have you been able to find the vacuum leak? Let us know.

Joe
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Sunday, March 3rd, 2024 AT 9:10 PM
Tiny
DAVENOOB
  • MEMBER
  • 303 POSTS
Ya not as of yet. I've had 30-40 mph winds with gusts over 70 so not doing and vacuum leak search as of yet. Hopefully you tomorrow it'll be favorable.
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Sunday, March 3rd, 2024 AT 10:09 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, that is some wind. Stay safe and please let us know.
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Monday, March 4th, 2024 AT 9:22 AM
Tiny
DAVENOOB
  • MEMBER
  • 303 POSTS
Okay, so I'm getting ready to tackle this finally. I'm going to do carb cleaner and vacuum pressure gauge. I have a few questions. The video is on a Camry. Can you show diagram where the intake manifold plenum, throttle bore gasket, evap control solenoids, brake booster this I assume is next to brake reservoir, MAP sensor and EGR valve located on the Impala? I'm going to go back over the diagram to change manifold gasket and see what's labeled there, thanks.
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Monday, March 11th, 2024 AT 9:10 AM
Tiny
DAVENOOB
  • MEMBER
  • 303 POSTS
I found most in the intake manifold gasket replacement thanks.
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Monday, March 11th, 2024 AT 9:19 AM
Tiny
DAVENOOB
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  • 303 POSTS
Alright, so here is a video of the engine running. Do you hear the vacuum leak? Also, where I think the manifold gasket is there is oil. I pointed it out in video. I'm sure that's a problem is that where mani gasket is? Thanks
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Monday, March 11th, 2024 AT 10:39 AM
Tiny
DAVENOOB
  • MEMBER
  • 303 POSTS
Also, put my hand over oil fill when running didn't suck in almost felt as it was pushing air out slightly.
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Monday, March 11th, 2024 AT 10:40 AM
Tiny
DAVENOOB
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  • 303 POSTS
Also, the second picture in the gasket replacement has no labels, just numbers and arrows. What is that thing called? I'm not up on terminology, sorry.
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Monday, March 11th, 2024 AT 10:51 AM
Tiny
DAVENOOB
  • MEMBER
  • 303 POSTS
Okay, sprayed over the throttle body, evap control solenoid, which is new, all around the brake fluid assembly, MAP sensor no increase idle. I'm not sure where the EGR valve is, if I hit the brake booster or just sprayed everywhere, not sure where the throttle bore gasket is. It sounds like it's coming from under the intake manifold cover honestly.
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Monday, March 11th, 2024 AT 11:00 AM
Tiny
DAVENOOB
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I'm renting vacuum pressure gauge from AutoZone today.
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Monday, March 11th, 2024 AT 2:09 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Okay, thanks for the video. I didn't hear a vacuum leak and the engine seems like it is running pretty good, do you have a lean mixture code is that why you think you have a vacuum leak?
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Tuesday, March 12th, 2024 AT 11:07 AM
Tiny
DAVENOOB
  • MEMBER
  • 303 POSTS
No check engine light I can hear the hiss. Also sounds rough and clunky. It's going uphill, it stutters at 40-45 and 65 MPH. When going uphill won't shift just goes to high RPMs. Got the vacuum pressure tester so see if that helps.
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Tuesday, March 12th, 2024 AT 12:02 PM
Tiny
DAVENOOB
  • MEMBER
  • 303 POSTS
Okay, so, the throttle bore gasket is that supposed to be throttle body gasket. Also, could you give diagram that shows where the parts are I asked about above? Thanks
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Tuesday, March 12th, 2024 AT 12:11 PM
Tiny
DAVENOOB
  • MEMBER
  • 303 POSTS
Brake booster I assume is under the brake fluid reservoir which side? What's the EGR valve?
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Tuesday, March 12th, 2024 AT 12:12 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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The brake booster is behind the brake master, but the hiss you hear can be a clogged catalytic converter which will account for the low power and poor engine performance.
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Tuesday, March 12th, 2024 AT 4:47 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Anything?
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Saturday, May 11th, 2024 AT 11:38 AM
Tiny
DAVENOOB
  • MEMBER
  • 303 POSTS
Sorry. Thanks I ended up changing both converters and o2 sensors and car runs better and fuel mpg 25% increase.
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Saturday, July 12th, 2025 AT 3:27 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Nice! Yep clogged cats will cause this problem thanks or getting back to us!
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Sunday, July 13th, 2025 AT 11:56 AM

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