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> Attention to detail.  Thoroughness.  Persistence.  These are
> qualities rarely found in dealership mechanics.  If you find a
> mechanic with those qualities, pay him willingly and cheerfully.  As
> can be read from many of our posts, we get better service
> (sometimes) by checking things out ourselves.  Be a geek.  Buy books
> and read.  Talk geek talk with other gearheads.  Gawd I love this
> list.
> 
> Here's a tip for finding some of those irrascable air leaks in the
> intake system, unfortunately, this requires an aircompressor with a
> regulated output:
> 
> -pull off the air flow meter at the rubber boot (just loosen the hose
> clamp)
> -replace airflow meter with a rubber ball to seal the large opening;
> if I remember, tennis or raquetballs work
> -place nozzle of air gun in just about any vacuum line hose, I use a
> piece of small diameter copper tubing on the end of my airgun for
> blowing debris and sticking in orfices (shut-up Steve)
> -regulate air pressure to a few psi or a little higher, one doesn't
> need much
> -mix up a soap-water solution and use a soft paintbrush to slather
> all over the intake system; air leaks will foam like crazy!  listen
> for leaks too.
> -you may have to rotate the crankshaft soemwhat to get the right
> position to seal the combustion chambers
> 
> I've found that the fabric connectors on the maniforld really leak at
> the crimp type hose clamps.  Replace them with screw type.  Also,
> breather tubes seem to leak right at the big boot.
> 
>