As a BMW driver, your car is your pride and joy, so when a pesky engine light pops up, you want to find the right technicians to solve the problem. It is vital to assess and fix issues with your car as soon as they arise to guarantee your vehicle’s longevity.
Vacuum hose leaks are a problem many BMW owners experience. A vacuum leak can be anywhere between the engine and a mass airflow sensor, so it can be a tricky problem to fix which requires a trained eye to catch. If you have a leak, your car will be running “lean” which means too much air and not enough fuel, creating issues for your BMW down the line.
DART Auto specializes in German cars, and with locations right in your backyard, we can get your vacuum hose leak or any other problem fixed in minimal time so you can drive your BMW again with an absolute peace of mind.
Vacuum Hose Leak Symptoms
There are several symptoms of vacuum hose leaks but some are more obvious than others. If your car is showing any of the following symptoms, it’s time to pay your local DART garage a visit.
- Check engine light: A healthy BMW should have none of its indicator lights on. The check engine light is the most noticeable symptom of vacuum hose leaks but requires a technician to take a look under the hood to diagnose the correct issue.
- Rough idle: If your car shakes and you can feel the engine struggle even while in an idle state, there is a chance that the vacuum hose is leaking. A normal idle should be relatively quiet, and you shouldn’t feel your German car shaking. Your car may function fine at higher RPMs, but there is an issue when the vehicle struggles to keep a stable RPM when idling.
- Stalling: If your car stalls when you stop, bring it to us for inspection immediately. This is a dangerous issue and causes risks to you, other drivers, and pedestrians around your car.
- Hissing sounds: If you can hear your car while driving and it sounds abnormally like it is releasing gas, this is another strong indicator of a leak that needs to be patched up as soon as possible.
Reasons Behind Vacuum Hose Leaks
There are several common sources for vacuum hose leaks, the most common being plastic or rubber hosing aging. Over time, plastic and rubber become brittle and can crack which results in leaks.
Your intake manifold or gasket could have warped, being as it is made of the same material as the hosing. The intake snorkel/plastic boot could also be faulty, especially in an older model BMW. There are several more issues that absolutely require the eyes and tools of a professional mechanic to identify.
DART Auto Will Help
Our technicians use top-of-the-line technology to scan and test for any issue that comes into the shop. A special spray is used to find the location of the 
leak, and a vacuum gauge is used to double-check that the issue is a vacuum hose leak. A smoke machine is used to create smoke-like vapor that is used in the engine to visually identify where the leak is coming from. This way our technicians can provide the right fix, such as replacing the faulty part.
DART Auto’s number one priority is to repair your car the first time we touch it, so you can rest assured, knowing your car is being maintained at our facility. We are experienced with your German make and model and have the right tools and parts to ensure a quick and high quality fix. Instead of risking your time and safety working under the hood of your own car and attempting to replace parts, let our experts get the job done right the first time.
We have locations in Englewood, Littleton, Centennial, and Denver, Colorado. We have years of experience and hundreds of positive reviews and trusted clientele after proudly serving our state for over 20 years. Give us a call today if you have any of the previously-mentioned issues with your BMW. We look forward to helping you maintain the longevity of your BMW.
