I'm hoping to maybe fix my idle situation this coming break - I'm so tired off having the car struggle for life when the clutch is depressed and letting the engine fall to idle. It goes to 2-300 rpms, and is a terrible, terrible feeling. I've read about some processes by which you can identify where exactly the leak is coming from, some use soapy water, others use TB cleaner.

If I understand it correctly:
1. Using TB cleaner, with the engine running, you spray around the area you think is leaking, and if the engine changes sound/speed when you spray over a spot, it means there is a leak at that location.
2. Using soapy water, without the engine running, you put soapy water over the suspected problem spot, turn on the engine, and watch for bubbling. If there are bubbles that you can see, you've found the spot.

IMO, TB cleaner seems safer to help diagnose the problem than soapy water, but I just want to make sure I understand the process before proceeding with the tests. Thanks for the help.

 

I just tested my vacuum by renting a MityVac vacuum gauge from AutoZone for free. I got a reading of 20 In.Hg. I beleive the FSM states 17-22 In.Hg is normal. Good luck.

 

Do you know if Advanced auto or pep boys lends out tools as well? I would love to test it this way, just to make sure.

Bump for the TB cleaner/soapy water question.