Date:         Wed, 25 Sep 2024 21:41:19 -0400
Reply-To:     Matt McKeon <matt@MMCKEON.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Matt McKeon <matt@MMCKEON.COM>
Subject:      A pesky air leak
Content-Type: text/plain

hey folks, I've got an '84 1.9L van. In the never ending quest to get this thing running reliably. I recently removed the intake runners and plenum to replace both the intake gaskets and the runner boots (also went with a new GW throttle body).

My issue now is, after putting everything back together (after a quick rattle can paint job), I'm hearing a pronounced sucking type noise whenever I blip the throttle. It's not a constant hiss, so I'm finding it challenging to diagnose.

I first tired spraying carb cleaner at the connections around the boots and various hoses; but I never noticed a fluctuation in the idle.

Then, I slowly put old things back on that I swapped out. Like, the original throttle body, a few of the other hoses (like the brake booster line), no change, same noise.

At the recent suggestion on another thread here, I bought a smoke tester. Got it cranking, plugged it into the S-boot, and after waiting several minutes, no smoke from anywhere. To see if it was actually working, I took the injectors out, and I could see smoke coming out. So, seems like its flowing around in there just fine. Am I missing something in how this is supposed to work?

At this point, I'm not sure what to try next. The seemingly obvious answer is to take everything back apart and try again. I'd have to buy another set of gaskets though, I suppose. But, was hoping there might be some wisdom from others on what I'm overlooking / doing wrong. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks!
-Matt