Simple Fault Causes are often Missed
OBD error due to inadequate vacuum
Information on diagnostics
Why is the braking power dropping? What causes a sawing engine and limp home function? What causes engine misfires in part load or lack of performance under maximum stress? This may be caused by faults in the vacuum system of the engine. Find out more about this here.
| System | Product |
| Vacuum system | Vacuum pump, EGR valve, secondary air valve, electro-pneumatic valves |
Possible complaints:
- Engine stuttering under partial load
- Motorboating engine
- Emergency operation
- Decreasing brake performance
- Inadequate power at full load
During troubleshooting one likes to rely on the OBD error memory while disre-garding simple fault causes.
One possible fault cause can be a fault in the vacuum system of the vehicle.
In many vehicles, a vacuum is used as an auxiliary source of energy. Every component in the vacuum system may exhibit a leak, through which the vacuum escapes. Particularly note the following:
- Defective hoses (porous, marten bites, leaky connectors)
- Electro-pneumatic valves (boost control valve, for example)
- Leaky non-return valves/vacuum reservoirs
- Defective/porous diaphragms or gaskets at pneumatic actuators
Moreover, the following malfunctions can also be indicative of faults within the vacuum supply:
- Components of the exhaust gas return system and in the secondary air system (in the case of petrol engines) fail. Since these malfunctions are related to the emission of pollutants which are monitored by the OBD system, the vehicle can revert to emergency operation.
- Brake performance decreases markedly when rapidly braking several times after each other (when driving downhill).
- Turbocharger controller and Diesel regulating throttle are not operative. This can give rise to complaints relating to a “motorboating engine” or “engine dropouts”.
- Convenience facilities fail partly or completely.
- Reduced performance due to a failed a length or valve adjustment failure within the intake manifold
In the event of a malfunction, check the leak tightness of all components in the vacuum system and replace the failed part.
Example BMW 118d (E87): Components in the vacuum system (green), vacuum hoses (red)
01 vacuum pump
02 EGR valve
03 electro-pneumatic pressure transducer