Noobish help reading vacuum test results
#1
Member
![](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/ranks/tgo10.gif)
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Biloxi, MS
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1992 Firebird Trans Am GTA
Engine: LS1
Transmission: T56
Noobish help reading vacuum test results
I purchased a vacuum gauge to help diagnose a slight miss at idle and a very noticable miss at acceleration and interstate speeds (that thread is here)and I need some advice as to what I'm seeing. I'd like to test everything I can before taking it to a shop for a compression test.
I've got the pressure gauge hooked up to the top port on the vacuum canister. It's reading just below 20 and pretty steady there at idle. When I give it some throttle I see the gauge jump back then forward. If I give it a little more it does the same, just going higher.
Having never used one of these and not really knowing what I'm looking for, is this normal operation? I've searched until I'm blue in the face and still haven't found exactly what to expect when doing this.
Here's a video of what I'm seeing.
1992 Firebird GTA, 350 5.7. Any advice is appreciated, as always!
I've got the pressure gauge hooked up to the top port on the vacuum canister. It's reading just below 20 and pretty steady there at idle. When I give it some throttle I see the gauge jump back then forward. If I give it a little more it does the same, just going higher.
Having never used one of these and not really knowing what I'm looking for, is this normal operation? I've searched until I'm blue in the face and still haven't found exactly what to expect when doing this.
Here's a video of what I'm seeing.
1992 Firebird GTA, 350 5.7. Any advice is appreciated, as always!
#2
On Probation
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Northern Utah
Posts: 6,319
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes
on
17 Posts
Car: seeking '90.5-'92 'bird hardtop
Engine: several
Transmission: none
Axle/Gears: none
Re: Noobish help reading vacuum test results
I'm having trouble getting the video to play, but I'll try to help.
#3
On Probation
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Northern Utah
Posts: 6,319
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes
on
17 Posts
Car: seeking '90.5-'92 'bird hardtop
Engine: several
Transmission: none
Axle/Gears: none
Re: Noobish help reading vacuum test results
Okay, I watched the video, but no audio. What I need is to see what you attached the gauge to. when you snap the throttle by hand, the vacuum should decrease as you open the throttle, then increase as you close it. Most helpful would be if you could put the gauge between the speedo and tach, then have someone sit behind you and film over your shoulder as you gradually accelerate up through second gear.
#4
Member
![](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/ranks/tgo10.gif)
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Biloxi, MS
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1992 Firebird Trans Am GTA
Engine: LS1
Transmission: T56
Re: Noobish help reading vacuum test results
That makes me feel better, that's exactly what it's doing. Here's a picture of where I have it hooked up. I'm going to need a lot more hose to put it up near the tach and speedometer, may not happen today unless I can figure a better way, and help comes as I'm the only one here at the moment.
#5
On Probation
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Northern Utah
Posts: 6,319
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes
on
17 Posts
Car: seeking '90.5-'92 'bird hardtop
Engine: several
Transmission: none
Axle/Gears: none
Re: Noobish help reading vacuum test results
I'd tee directly into intake manifold vacuum, because there might be some emissions controls affecting that. And reading vacuum in neutral with quick throttle snaps isn't relevant to reading gradual part-throttle rpm increases.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mdtoren
Tech / General Engine
0
08-16-2015 05:45 PM