All vehicles have vacuum hoses. They are an essential part of the engine and are used to remove excess air from various parts of the engine. A cracked hose can lead to engine damage.
The vacuum motor is a small diaphragm. It has rods that connect to and activate a series of vacuum hoses. The hoses connect to the intake manifold and vacuum the extra air from various parts of the engine, such as the emissions control system.
Testing for a leak in the engine's vacuum hose is fairly simple. Just idle the car and then cup your hand over the choke housing. If the idle speed increases because of the artificial choke, then there is a vacuum leak somewhere in the hose.
Vacuum hoses heat up when the engine is running. When they heat, they can crack and leak. This lets excess air get into the engine and can cause engine damage. As of 2010, it costs about $150 to $200 to have the hoses replaced at a dealership. Ambitious do-it-yourselfers can replace the hoses for a cost of about $2.
