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Dave sez: "Kansas, I called the local SAAB mechanic who also told me about the PCV and brake booster lines. He advised taking a pair of needlenose plyers and squeezing the lines closed as a test to see if the engine would smooth out."
Right.
"I tried this as well as the vacuum advance line on the distributor. None of it helped."
You will get a more positive seal by plugging or capping the intake manifold nipples of these two lines. Sounds like that is what you did next.
"I then pulled the booster and the PCV out and sealed up the inlets to the manifold and that didn't change anything either."
Not sure how you sealed the inlets but you need to be sure they are sealed very well.
"I squirted a soapy solution around the base of the carb and as much manifold as I could get to in hope of seeing some action. It didn't reveal anything but it did clean things up nicely.
Water can be used, soapy or not makes no difference (remember you are looking for a vacuum leak, not a pressure leak, so you won't see soap bubbles), but it is much more effective to use a fuel-type substance which when sucked in through a vacuum leak will even out the engine roughness. Isopropyl alcohol, available from parts stores as gasoline de-icer/water absorbent, sprayed from a spray bottle, is my favorite. It is relatively safe and you can see exactly where you are putting it. Brake cleaner or carb cleaner in a spray can work fine, as do propane, acetylene, etc. Do be judicious in your application and have a fire extinguisher handy.
"I did take it out on the interstate yesterday and drove for about 20 miles. It would cruise at 70 ok with the choke wide open as long as it was under a bit of a load. As soon as I would back off it would start dying.
This is characteristic of a serious vacuum leak. It has a lot more effect on idle quality than on operation under load.
"I have a gas analyzer."
No, you have a vacuum gauge.
"What should I do with it?"
Study up on how to use it.
"I did have it hooked up to the PCV port earlier and it seemed to be sucking normally but I'm not sure what else I should be looking for."
What exactly did it indicate? This could be indicative of the nature of your problem.
"One final note. I did a valve job a couple of months ago and I installed a new intake manifold gasket but did not put any sealer on it. Is that a big concern? Thanks
The intake manifold gasket should be installed without sealer except for dabs above and below at the corners where it bends, 8 places total.
posted by 198.69.250...
, Fri, 22 Jul 2005 04:55:03, Sat, 23 Jul 2005 06:32:51
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