Does anyone have any insightful ways to search for a vacuum leak? I've been trying to find the one that is causing my HVAC blower damper to poop out for some time. It is now also contributing to a rough idle.

'97 XLT
4.6

 

here at the shop we use a smoke machine for this exact reason. Any good repair shop near you should have one and not charge you an arm and a leg to check it out.

 

Thexton sells a leak detector wand which includes the valve for about 60.00.

See the discussion in the link below.

http://www.talkaboutautos.com/group/...ages/2326.html

I do not recommend using carb cleaner although several people have gotten away with this method. Pouring or spraying flamable liquids on a HOT engine is dangerous. A spark in the engine compartment could also cause flammable liquids to ignite.