2000 Suzuki Esteem vacuum leak problem

DEON_22

MEMBER
2000 SUZUKI ESTEEM
118,000 MILES

I have a 2000 Suzuki Esteem 1.8L engine with about 118000 miles on it. I'm decently knowledgeable about the inner workings of my car but the check engine light has been on for quite a while now. I've noticed that all the engine power in my car is gone. When I hit the gas, the car simply revs up and I don't really gain any speed. I would have to press on the gas slowly and softly for it to gain speed. It is especially troublesome on hills and will actually loose speed if I press to hard on the accelerator. I tend to have to shift to a lower gear just to maintain a decent speed with the rpms around 3. The engine also make a sort of hissing noise when I hit the gas so I think I may have a vacuum leak somewhere but I don't know how to find it. I went to AutoZone to get the check engine light test just to confirm and it is a vacuum leak. I got 2 codes back. P0440 and P0420. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

1 Reply

TY ANDERSON

MECHANIC
719 POSTS

P0440 indicates a emission system malfunction and P0420 is a catalyst Inefficiency below threshold. P0440 could be a vacuum leak. But what is more concerning it the p0420. The code suggest the catalyst is no longer functioning. Which could also mean the catalyst is restricted or plugged causing the low engine power. If a engine can't breath (inhale and exhaust) it is not going to perform efficiently. Using a Vacuum gauge can show you if the engine is mechanically sound or breathing well.
For P0440 visually inspect the vacuum hoses and pipes and they're connections for cracks or openings allowing a leak. Inspect the fuel filler cap gasket and make sure the rubber gasket is solid no cracks. The testing for this code involves pumping fine mist smoke into the EVAP system and inspecting for smoke leaking out of the all components involved and sometimes under certain conditions.
Let me know if you have any more questions, TY