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Extra repairs and maintenance may be required as you use your BMW for a long time. One of the major repairs you might encounter with your BMW is a vacuum hose leak. BMWs are high-performance luxury automobiles with a unique design that combines a stylish exterior with a gorgeous and relaxing interior. Under the hood, you’ll find a powerful and long-lasting engine, but all vehicles require routine maintenance to avoid problems like vacuum hose leaks. Let’s take a look at the use of a vacuum hose as well as the symptoms that tell us if it is leaking.

The Importance of the Vacuum Hose

Most cars, including BMW’s models, have at least one vacuum hose, if not many. The number of vacuum hoses on your BMW is determined by its age. Older versions had additional vacuum hoses, since the systems beneath the hood were more complicated at the time and required many connections to keep everything running smoothly.

The systems have become more complex as newer BMW models have hit the market, but technology has progressed so they now use fewer vacuum hoses. With that said, vacuum hoses are required to supply a vacuum from the intake manifold to a component that demands it.

The intake manifold is one of the primary components that provide power to other parts. It transports the combusted air and fuel mixture needed for your BMW’s full function. The PCV valve, HVAC controls, brake booster, and heating control valve are all parts that need the vacuum hose. It is inefficient to connect all of these components to the intake manifold directly. As a result, vacuum hoses serve a useful purpose. They allow all of the parts that are connected to them to function properly.

Symptoms of a Vacuum Hose Leak

Here are some things to look for when trying to identify a leakage in the vacuum hose;

• Check Engine Light: The check engine light comes on as the first warning that something is happening with the vacuum hoses. All the vacuum hoses are surrounded by several sensors. If there is a leak, the sensors will detect them and inform you. The check engine light will then notify you of the leak. It is good to pay attention to the check engine light since it might indicate anything from a simple vacuum hose leak to something more serious.
• Malfunctioning Engine: Another indicator of a leakage in the vacuum hose is that the engine may not function effectively. Because one or more of the components attached to a vacuum hose aren’t getting enough power, the engine will malfunction. As a result of the absence of power, the linked parts will not work correctly. Your engine will be underpowered and there would be a rough and erratic idle in addition to engine issues.
• Engine Fails Start: The third indicator of a vacuum hose leak is that the engine will not start. This is likely to happen if the leak is severe or has been there for a long time without being repaired. The pressure in the hose will be too high as a result of the leak and the head gasket will be forced out. When this occurs, the cylinder head hardware might fail, forcing combustion to happen within the engine rather than in the combustion chamber.

If you detect any of the three indicators of a vacuum hose leak listed above, you should bring your BMW in for service right away. A qualified mechanic would be able to diagnose and repair any issues that your BMW may have.

Expert Repairs for Your BMW Model

At Glenwood Foreign Care, we specialize in all European automobiles, including BMW. We have been helping car owners from Upper Makefield Township, Yardley, Newtown, and Morrisville, PA to get their BMWs back on the road like new.

To find the vacuum hose leak and detect any other parts that may have been damaged as a result of the leak, we use the most up-to-date diagnostic tools to pinpoint the exact problem, so we can then review your options. Book an appointment with one of our skilled and qualified technicians by calling us today!

* BMW 3-Series Car image credit goes to: teddyleung.