2003 Mazda 6 Alternator, Broken vaccum line, or worse!?!?!?

2003 MAZDA 6
87,500 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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BCOVIC85
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after my car has sat for a bit (overnight for example) when I start my car and leave for work it begins to severly shake after driving .5 miles. the shaking will stop as i tap the gas but after a few moments is shakes again. the shaking does however stop after driving it for approx. 1 mile (or 5 mins in Columbus traffic). last night i started the car and as it shook the dome lights began to dim- again until I pressed the gas. i then opened the hood and heard a sound that sounded like a tire or a ball that had a hole and was leaking air. So my ?? is alternator, vacuum line or worse????!!!?? Im not sure if i should continue to drive it until Sept 13 when I can afford to fix it because it only shakes during idle or should i be really concerned??
Aug 28, 2009 at 7:47 PM
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MERLIN2021
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If you can hear air that load, it should'nt be to hard to find the vacuum leak, do this: Get a can of spray gumout, start the car and spray around, pay attention to vacuum lines and manifold, if the idle changes, you found a leak. You want the engine running and spray on the outside but do direct the stream onto the hoses, if it is a vacuum leak, the engine idle will change speed, then you have detected a leak, repair the vacuum leak and see how it runs!
Aug 28, 2009 at 7:50 PM