air leaking sound from "octopus" line

[EliteConcept]

i was changing my PCV valve and i happened to bump a line that came from the "octopus" to a large round black thing on the drivers side of the truck
when i bumped it , i heard a air leaking sound come from it.
if i pull on it slightly it does it also.
what problems can this cause?
thanks

 

[Rhett]

From what you describe, it sounds like the big black round thing is the brake booster unit. It has a vac line connected to the manifold via the octopus. Make sure the vac line is not cracked, or coming loose from either end. If it's cracked or otherwise worn out you should get a new one. If you notice your brakes feeling different, or making noise they didn't make before, you could have a vac leak in there.

 

[EliteConcept]

well the brakes do make sort of a crunching noise now and then... If i need to replace it, do i just replace the rubber tubing? that goes from the Brake booster to the octopus?
Could this also be the reason I experience ruff ideling???
thanks!!

 

[Rhett]

The crunching noise could very well be a vacuum leak, but it could be inside the brake booster...at least that's what my mechanic told me. It's pretty annoying to me and I may have something done about it soon. If yours is simply a worn out vac line leading to the octopus then its a simple fix, just replace the rubber tubing. A Ford dealer should be able to get the part, or also possible Torrie at www.fordpartsnetwork.com

As far as the rough idle goes, yes, it could be caused by a vac leak somewhere. There are of course other possible causes of a rough idle. Inspect all of the vac lines for cracking, dry rot, etc. Also make sure your air box is tight, and tight between the air tube and MAF, and air tube and throttle body.

 

[EliteConcept]

hi,
when you say A Ford dealer should be able to get the part, that is if part of the brake booster is damaged right?
If i want to simply replace the rubber tubing i can do so myself correct?
thanks for your help

 

[Rhett]

If all you want to do is replace the rubber tube, then yes, you can do that yourself. What I meant was you should be able to buy this rubber tubing at a Ford dealer, or maybe somewhere else like AutoZone.

If the vac leak is inside the brake booster, then the only way I know of to fix it is to replace the whole brake booster unit. Maybe brake boosters can be disassembled and so forth but I don't know about that.